Wiki+Project+Phase+2+Book+2

=Wiki Project Phase 2:=

=Wiki Post #1: Introduction and Current Events Article:=



Synopsis of Insurgent, Veronica Roth
Insurgent is the second book in the trilogy which follows Divergent, a dystopian novel surrounding a girl named Tris, who lives in a society divided into five factions. Divergent ended with Abnegation being taken over by the Erudite leader, Jeanine. Half of the Dauntless are also under mind captivity due to a serum that has been used to control their minds and hypnotize them into killing the Abnegation and taking control over the government. Tris and Four are now hiding with the faction Amity, and the rest of the story will be based upon the introduction and depth of other factions, the development of the important characters, and how they will take back the government and take down Jeanine and the Erudite. The author is criticizing the same concepts that were mentioned in Divergent as they are both books from the same trilogy, but Insurgent focuses more on society and where people fit into together. Being a dystopian novel geared towards young adults; this book also comments on the stress that young people in this society must face and how the actions of the people around you can alter some type of perspective on the world. Other topics also discussed still relate to inequality and government control/conditioning, common topics related to almost all dystopian novels. I'm now left wondering where this book is headed and what being divergent will mean in this type of destructive setting rather than the centralized and structured society that it was in the last book. Insurgent has a lot of unanswered questions posed and which needed to be answered.

[|Causes of Stress for Teens]

I chose this article because it relates to the aspect of stress on teens, a topic that is introduced (dramatized of course as the average teen does not have to deal with the death of both parents and war on the regular) in this second book, Insurgent. This article focuses on the different aspects that add stress to the common adolescent's life. This entails four main aspects like school, family life, social life, and change. This connects to the story in the pressures placed upon them during initiation, and the overall pressure to be a perfect citizen in one of the specific factions. One of the topics discussed in the article was how change and unstructured routines adds stress to young teens. This must imply that Tris and the rest of the characters will be undergoing a lot of new stress as their world is in total chaos, a large change from what it was a few weeks prior. I'm curious to see Roth's commentary on stress, it's causes and effects on teens, and characters like Tris. I wonder if any techniques in dealing with stress will be revealed throughout the story, something teens especially in today's society could use.

Wiki Post #2: Passage 1: Pages 1-50:

 * Passage Context:** In the following passage, the Amity have decided to allow for the remaining to Dauntless that have escaped from the Erudite to stay under the supervision and care of Amity, as they are the peacemakers of society. A detailed set of conditions has been offered to them that they must follow until peace can be restored in society.


 * 1) I chose this passage because it gives more depth into the peaceful Amity, chosen to symbolize one of the characteristics that are meant to maintain peace and order in a society. I'm happy that Roth decided to introduce Amity instead of Candor first, as it does make sense that they would run to the peaceful faction for safety. I wonder if the fact that Johanna, a woman, the leader of the faction of peace is symbolic in any way. Matriarchy, motherhood, taking care of others, they are all a bit interconnected and seem to be features Johanna embodies in her characterization. Also, this isn't the first time that a woman is a leader as Jeanine is in charge of the "evil" Erudite, and proves that maybe in this futuristic society even though inequality between factions still exists, gender equality has come a long way. This passage is from the ending of the chapter, and the tension described by Tris between the various characters foreshadows that something big could possibly happen. I wonder how long exactly will they be allowed to stay in this faction, and if the Erudite/Dauntless traitors will decide to attack the remaining members of Dauntless.
 * 2) The purpose of this passage is to introduce the faction Amity and some of the key characters and characteristics of the faction. It's a very introductory passage, and sets up the mood for the rest of the story, which is why i chose it. The effect of this passage sets up a tense tone, as Tris describes the heavy tension between various characters which might allude to some more action to come. Johanna does not seem to be a shady character, even though she has ties with all factions, her character seems to hold credibility. The techniques used in this passage are characterization of Johanna, foreshadowing disagreements between specific characters, and basically ethos; establishing credibility of the Roth, the author. Amity's stance amongst this war/revolution reminds me of Switzerland during WWII, wanting only peace and to stay out of external affairs, a real life connection i made. This passage primarily serves the purpose of introduction.
 * 3) Looking over this passage, i think it connects the most to the first two questions, "What does it mean to be human?" and "What do our depictions of the future reveal about the present?" Through the factions, i think the whole story in itself reveals what it means to be human, which essentially is being divergent. This specific passage connects to that of the faction of amity and the characteristics of peace in the faction and within Johanna. To be human, means to have a sense of wanting peace within you and your society, and that is showcased by Johanna and her "honey-sweet" voice. Also, even though many negative characteristics have been portrayed in this novel, i liked how this focused on the fact that human beings are capable of positive characteristics like peace. This passage connects to the second question as well as the depictions of war and separation between societies is revealing that present day, with all the war and fighting going on in our world, we will end up in a dystopian society like Divergent.
 * 4) In conclusion, i chose this passage because i felt it did a good job at introducing Insurgent as a new novel, and introducing the new drama/action that is foreshadowed to occur. It created a suspenseful tone through the tension introduced within the characters and the factions themselves. This whole passage obviously connects to Divergent as it is the second book in the trilogy, and actually really picks up from where it left off. Being in Amity gives Tris and her posse some stability as it is still a faction that is functioning normally regardless of the destruction Erudite is currently doing right outside of Amity's doorsteps. I really like how Roth decided to end this paragraph, with kind of posing a lot of questions like what exactly does happen now? And will guilt-ridden Tris, over killing Will, and the rest of her dysfunctional group make it out of this faction okay? How long will they even be able to stay? Lot's more reading needs to be done, and i can't wait!


 * Passage Context: ** In this passage, Tris has violated the terms of her agreement with Amity after pursuing a fight with Peter. The previous passage alluded to this with the foreshadowing of the tension between said characters. Due to Amity's protocol, Tris was taken into a control room and given what is called a "peace" serum, that has left her feeling strangely giddy, and not like her self at all. Her character has literally been stripped away, all from a strange syringe with a foreign substance in it.


 * 1) I thought this passage and moment in the story was very interesting and noteworthy. The fact that Tris was given a serum as "protocol" which initially alters her personality is beyond ridiculous, and I'm a bit disappointed in Amity, i thought they would be better than the other factions. Even though other factions force their citizens to become slaves to education, or slaves to the meaning of being "selfless" i always loved the fact that Amity was surrounded around peace, but this really tarnished that image which was created by Roth. At first i thought Tobias was overreacting by how angry he got at Johanna, but then realizing the deeper meaning behind the stripping of identity at the hands of this serum, i started to understand. I was disappointed by the fact that basically, Amity was falling under government control in the same way that the other factions did, through serums that take control of your mind.
 * 2) I think that the purpose to this passage was to extend the vivid description of Amity but to further convey the secrecy/shadiness of the government. This passage includes allusion and juxtaposition to our society now, as Roth comments on the dependence we have on drugs imposed on us by the pharmaceutical market, and the people of higher order. The whole purpose of this passage is perfectly summarized through the quote Tobias states "Drugging the entire population is the best solution to our problem. Great plan." This quote creates irony through the sarcastic tone in Tobias' voice, and i directly connected it to the novel we are currently reading in class "Brave New World" and the people's dependence on the drug "soma" which takes them to a "happy place" and disconnects them from the world. Not only does it disconnect them from the world, but it is used to to distract them from reality, and i think that is what the peace serum is used for, and what Tobias was alluding to through his quote. That the serums they use in this trilogy juxtapose the drugs in our society shoved down our throats by the drug market so that we do not realize what's going on in our surroundings.
 * 3) Even though this passage does connect to the first question about "what it means to be human", i want to focus on the second question which asks what our depictions of the future reveal about the present. I already discussed this in the previous section, but this passage reveals how "drugging the entire population..." has become "the best solution to our problem[s]." in the eyes of the public nowadays. Feel sad? You're probably depressed here re some pills. Have skin defects? Here's some creme that will cost you $500 to refill. Now in this story it's basically the same and is shown through this passage: Keep disturbing the peace? Here's some serum that is intended for keeping you calm. Roth uses these serums as a way to highlight these issues happening right now. Also, back to the first question about the meaning of being human, Roth emphasizes how serums can't just be used to adjust someone's behavior through a syringe. These are the aspects that strip us of our humanity and identity.
 * 4) I'm really glad i chose this quote, as i think it was imperative in showing the flaws in all of the factions in this society. At first Amity seemed to be the least dysfunctional out of all of the factions, but through this moment, their imperfections have been showcased. I think Roth used Amity to convey that even a society claiming to be rooted in the principles of peace and equality will not work if there is shadiness within the government. Also, Amity juxtaposed other dystopian novels, and alluded to the present day as well, and the problem of over reliance on drugs. This serum not only changes a person to become less innately human, but it strips them of their identity, a topic widely discussed in this story.

Wiki Post #4: Passage 3: Pages 150-320

 * Passage Context:** A lot has happened since my last post, and since this is a very large book, i felt that it was a bit necessary to jump through most of the book. Since they were at Amity, Tobias and Tris have gone to the factionless, found Tobias' mother, gone to live at Candor, underwent more serums, went back to live at Abnegation with the rest of the factionless as allies, and Tris has betrayed Tobias and gone to Erudite to sacrifice herself since Jeanine requested a divergent be sent to her or else lives will be lost. At Erudite, Tris has been held captive and has had scientific experiments performed on her brain. She even found out that her brother Caleb is a traitor and works with Jeanine. In the following passage, Tobias has gone to Erudite to rescue Tris, or to at least sacrifice himself in the name of love.

==“I read somewhere, once, that crying defies scientific explanation. Tears are only meant to lubricate the eyes. There is no real reason for tear glands to overproduce tears at the behest of emotion. == ==I think we cry to release the animal parts of us without losing our humanity. Because inside of me is a beast that snarls, and growls, and strains toward freedom, toward Tobias, and, above all, towards life. And as hard as I try, I cannot kill it.” (Pg. 313) ==


 * 1) This quote may not be that important, but I decided to pick it because i loved the character development and growth shown here by Tris, and loved the direct addressing of the meaning to being human, one of the main essential topics of this whole course. I just love this quote so much, from starting with a direct definition to creating a powerful metaphor used to expose the depths of Tris, and create a character that the readers can connect to. Tris embodies a character we all must strive to be, as she is so strong and isn't afraid to admit to having the ugly animal side to her, because that's a part of what makes her human. She doesn't describe crying as a sign of weakness, but as an imperative aspect of life to our survival so that we may maintain the emotions that keep us sane and human. Crying fuels her desire for freedom in a time of despair, and i think there's a lot to learn from this.
 * 2) Roth uses this simple passage to idealize a not so simple concept to her audience, the concept of humanity and freedom. This author establishes credibility within the first line of the quote by explaining the science behind crying and how they do not correlate. This drives her opinion of crying to mean so much more to audience as the scientific explanation is already flawed. Through Tris' opinion on crying, Roth uses a metaphor to expose a deeper characterization of Tris for the audience to see. Throughout the entire story Tris has not cared about whether she dies or not, as guilt and heartache have taken over her desire to survive, but through crying a sense of self-realization has hit Tris as she now realizes that she wants to be free after all, to be alive and that's just what makes up humanity. This passage embodies an important shift within the story, as before Tris didn't think she had a reason to stay alive, but now is more than ready to fight for both her and Tobias' survival. This powerful message highlights the purpose of this passage, it being the meaning of being human.
 * 3) This passage embodies the first question asking what it means to be human, as Tris states it directly to the audience through the emotion/act of crying. Tears are a part of what make us human. Crying is what allows us to stay sane, and open up the window to accepting freedom, and accepting all aspects that make up life. I think Roth uses the metaphor of an internal animal to convey the animal within us that is always expected to to stay hidden, when in reality when released, it is what makes us human. Everyone has that innate animal within then, and once we accept, we can become our true free selves. Also, Roth is portraying how this is always looked down upon so nobody is their full free human divergent selves, one of the main messages of this story.
 * 4) I think this passage did a perfect job at summarizing the message and embodying the answer to one of the main essential questions to this course. This passage immediately connects to when the divergence aspect what revealed in the first book, as the characterizations we are innately born with such as free thoughts and emotions are what make us human. This passage highlights Tris' struggle with herself, and how she has faced them and gotten stronger, creating a great role model for the intended audience, young adult women like me who are going through their own struggles. This passage taught me that it;s okay to cry, as it is the reason to keep yearning towards, freedom, the things you want, and a better life.

Wiki Post #5: Passage 4: Pages 320-End of the book

 * Passage Context:** In this passage, Tris has betrayed Tobias to go with Marcus from Abnegation along with Christina and some other people to save the information only a few Abnegation members know about. Tris has left the people she loves, and has followed her instincts to what she believes is right even if people will end up getting hurt. Currently, Tris among others are about to climb into Erudite headquarters to retrieve the data and confront Jeanine about her plans to brainwash even the Divergents.

==“Insurgent, he says. Noun. A person who acts in opposition to the established authority, who is not necessarily regarded as a belligerent.” ... I look at Fernando. The last time I broke into a faction's headquarters, I did it with a gun in my hand, and I left bodies behind me. I want this time to be different. I need this time to be different. "I like it," I say. "Insurgent. It's perfect." (Page 415) ==


 * 1) I decided to choose this quote as the last passage analysis because it was the first time the word Insurgent was even mentioned, and i love that a definition has been given. Now, not only has Tris' character been characterized as divergent, but she is also insurgent, another word for a bad ass who stands up against the government without being titled as "crazy". I think this really shows the development of Tris as a character, who was first introduced as a girl confused, lost, and identity-less, to now a strong young woman who will go fight for what she stands for. Tris is definitely an insurgent, a warrior, a divergent. She doesn't embody what the perfect citizen is, and that highlights what we should all be. I think this quote does a perfect job of showing the readers what we should all aim to be, and sums up the whole story with one word. Also want to not that this moment makes it much sadder that Fernando ends up dying very shortly.
 * 2) Analyzing the purpose of this passage is simple and straightforward. The purpose of this quote is to sum up the story and connect it to the title of the novel. Throughout the whole story, Tris' character is developed into being the insurgent, and the audience does not realize that until this moment. I think that this passage also emphasizes another popular topic discussed throughout the trilogy, and that is government opposition. This passage highlights the idea that established authority isn't always going to be perfect or correct in their rule, and when it isn't, we should all be insurgent and stand up against it like Tris. I think Roth is using this quote to wake people up and connect them to our society. The purpose of this passage through character development and symbolism is to teach the reader to be less naive to public, and resist established authority when they are recognized to be bad.
 * 3) This passage certainly connects with all three of the main essential questions; "What does it mean to be human?" "What do our depictions of the future reveal about present day?" and "How do we use language and images to manipulate people's minds?" This passage uses the word insurgent and Tris to emphasize and drive the idea of what it means to be human in our society. To be human means that you can recognize flaws in the system and stand up and oppose to established authority. Even if it is established, a good citizen must recognize that that doesn't necessarily mean that it is right. To be human means that you can have the guts to be insurgent. This passage connects to the second question as well as it reveals how some of the established authorities which exist in our world, are wrong, and that more people should rise up to be insurgent. The passage insinuates that there must be something wrong with our established authority now since Roth is foreshadowing what could occur through this whole trilogy. People will lose their sense of humanity all because of drastic government control, and Roth is revealing these things to the audience. Lastly, the final question connects to how established authority has used so much language and manipulation that only a handful of people are willing to rise against them and reform. The big twist at the end of this story reveals how much language can be used to manipulate people's minds, as there is a whole world out there beyond this tiny failing society. Made me think to what extent are we really just pawns in a societal experiment today...
 * 4) To conclude and wrap up, this story was crazy and full of so many ups and downs and twists and turns every where, especially at the end of the novel. This passage does a good job at summarizing the main ideology behind the story of rising up for what you stand for and being insurgent. Roth uses Tris as a symbol, which reminds me a bit of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and how Katniss is formed to be the "mockingjay" a symbol for the people to rise up against the capitol. Well, this trilogy is very similar, except Tris develops more intricately as first she is divergent, a symbol of what a human is; layers upon layers of different characteristics that form into free thought. Then, through loss, heartbreak, and experience, Tris becomes insurgent, someone who isn't afraid to go against higher authority. This differs from Katniss as she is really only a symbol of hope for people that they can go against the capitol. This story is very centralized around government control and inequality, more than Divergent was. Divergent focused on the complexity of humans, while Insurgent focused on rising up against higher order for what you believe in.