Question

Choose what type of control exists in the following dystopian novel, based on its synopsis: Divergent by Veronica Roth: "In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candour (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself."

Ans: a. Bureaucratic Control

Answer 1

The dystopian society in 'Divergent' by Veronica Roth exercises social and bureaucratic control over its citizens, assigning individuals to factions based on virtue, reminiscent of the authoritarian regimes characterized by concentrated power and social control present in classic dystopian communities.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the synopsis of Divergent by Veronica Roth, the type of control existing in the dystopian society depicted is concerned with social control and bureaucratic control. Each faction within this society is dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue, and the distribution of individuals into these factions is a method of social control that manages and evaluates individuals based on societal standards of merit. The bureaucratic nature is evident in the systematic and administrative control over individual choice, exemplified by the annual event where sixteen-year-olds must select the faction they will belong to for the rest of their lives, indicating a structured and hierarchical government imposing limitations on personal agency.

This premise aligns with other dystopian communities, which are frequently characterized by an overbearing and intrusive government. Dystopian societies often have concentrated governmental power, which can be authoritarian or totalitarian in nature, as seen in George Orwell's 1984. The notions of dystopian societies, concentrated power, and social control are fundamental to understanding the political and social commentary embedded in such literature.