Divergent

Faction Before Blood: A Guide to Understanding Divergent Factions

Here's what you need to know about the Divergent factions!

by Vladimira Alexieva
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Picture this! You live in a world where society is divided into factions, and the phrase “Faction Before Blood” means everything to you, your family, and your friends. Well, this is, in fact, the reality for the characters of the bestselling book by the American writer, Veronica Roth. Here is a little more information about this captivating bestseller that won readers’ hearts in the early 2010s. 

This principle, which I spoke about earlier, stands at the center of the universe where the series “Divergent” takes place. Society is divided into five distinct factions, each representing a different virtue and value. And who are these factions, you may ask? They are the following: Abnegation (selflessness), Amity (peace), Candor (honesty), Dauntless (bravery), and Erudite (intelligence). 

In this article, we’ll go through each of the factions together and find out what the term “Faction Before Blood” actually means and why it’s so important to the world of Divergent. Well, what are we waiting for? 

Let’s embark on this adventure! But what does Divergent mean? The divergent definition, in the context of the series, refers to individuals who do not fit into any one faction due to their diverse aptitudes and mindsets. Among the key characters is ‘Four’. Four in Divergent is a significant figure in the series, known for his complex personality and pivotal role.

Divergent

Abnegation: The Selfless Servers

For people who are part of the Abnegation faction, the most important thing is selflessness. When they become members of this faction, they must discard every trace of vanity and self-indulgence they have in their bodies. Their mission in life is to serve the good of others, not their own. To achieve this, members of the Abnegation faction must stay away from envy, greed, or selfishness. They cannot stand in front of a mirror and admire their reflection for long, as this is considered self-indulgence and selfishness and goes against what their faction believes in. Within this faction, it is usually very quiet, as these people do not want to draw attention to themselves and what they do. The purpose of their lives is to help others, and that should make them happy. Abnegation members must obey the orders of others at all times. They often help strangers on the streets with their daily chores, such as caring for their shopping bags, for example. For them, the use of weapons of violence is completely unacceptable. However, in this faction, the use of weapons is allowed, but only as a self-defence method.

The names of the divergent factions, each symbolizing a unique set of values and traits, are integral to understanding the societal structure in this narrative. Abnegation is the faction of the main character’s family, Tris Prior. This makes this faction very important for the plot of the book, as it is precisely the dedication that Tris possesses that gives her the strength to cope with the new faction she joins, Dauntless.

Divergent

Amity: The Peaceful and Kind

Amity is a faction that represents goodness and peace in this world where war and conflict are not uncommon. Friendship, harmony, and cooperation are the heart of this faction, and members are often farmers or ranchers because, through these trades, they can make sure there is food for them and everyone else. Advice from people in this faction is the best, and at the same time, they are diplomats and promote the peaceful resolution of disputes rather than the use of violence. Since this faction is a symbol of freedom from conflict, happiness, and peaceful human relations, Amity members wear colorful clothes that are pleasant and warm. Earthy shades predominate, as well as red and yellow.

Divergent

Candor: The Honest and Just

Candor is a faction whose members are connoisseurs of the truth, as it is the most important thing to them and their existence. For these people, honesty and openness are the keys to a fair and orderly way of life. Due to their excessive honesty, members of this faction get into trouble with the law very often, as lying is the greatest sin for them. Despite all this, it is the people of this faction who maintain trust in this society.

The main character, Tris, encounters a variety of characters from Candor, including individuals like Christina and Peter Hayes. These personalities vary widely, from those who are outgoing and communicative to others who display a mix of emotional unpredictability and tranquility to those who exhibit malicious and brutal tendencies. It’s common for those born in Candor to switch allegiance to the Dauntless faction, as the virtues of truthfulness and courage are often seen as interconnected.

The interesting thing about this faction is that they believe in black-and-white thinking. The truth is black and white, according to them, so the clothes they wear are just that: formal, often with ties and suits, even resembling school or work uniforms.

Divergent

Dauntless: The Brave Protectors

The Dauntless faction, prominently featured in ‘Divergent’, is known for its bravery and fearlessness, embodying the spirit of courage in the series. Dauntless is synonymous with courage and bravery, which also explains the importance of this faction. Dauntless’ members are warriors and protectors of society, trained to defend against threats both within and outside the borders of that society. Their values are being strong, brave, and fearless. However, it’s not just their physical powers that define them; the members of the Dauntless faction also have mental and emotional strength.

From a young age, the members of Dauntless display characteristics such as fearlessness, boldness, a penchant for excitement, and a love for adventures. Each morning, precisely at 7:25, the young of Dauntless demonstrate their powers by leaping from a moving train into the playground where they are training. Black is the signature color of this faction, as it’s prominently featured in their attire. Additionally, these members are recognized for their inclination towards tattoos, body piercings, and scarier looks.

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Erudite: The Pursuers of Knowledge

“The smart ones, the ones who value knowledge and logic, are Erudite. They know everything.”

In last place, but not least, there is the faction of Erudite. This one focuses on the quest for wisdom and intellect. This group of people is made to be diligent researchers, innovative scientists, and teachers, as the members of the faction are always eager to push the limits of comprehension and discovery. They make new technological and medical breakthroughs, aiming to harness the power of knowledge for the betterment of societal well-being.

The Erudite faction emerged from a group of people who believed that society’s problems were rooted in human ignorance. They established the faction with the goal of eradicating ignorance and enlightening the minds of people.

Divergent

Conclusion:

The world of Divergent presents us with a new, interesting society that we have never heard of before. The way people are divided into factions and must learn to live according to their demands. This way of dividing people is a reflection of the different paths that people can take in life. Most important in the series is the story of Tris Prior, the woman who managed to cross the borders of the factions. In Divergents, we can find the reflection of our own society, so we recommend that you read this series as soon as possible!

FAQs:

Who is the character Four in Divergent?

Tobias “Four” Eaton is a character that is affiliated with the Dauntless faction. He takes on the role of trainer for newcomers who are joining Dauntless.

Why should you watch Divergent?

Because it’s an amazing series, and it’s definitely worth your time and attention!

How many Divergent movies exist?

Three movies exist for now. 

What are some cool Divergent tattoos you can get?

In the series, tattoos have an important meaning and are a part of the Dauntless faction’s culture. If you’re looking for ideas inspired by the series, you can check out the meanings of the factions, character names, and many more.

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