Figurative Language is an Important Language to Speak

 

     Today I have decided to blog about figurative language in Divergent. I think I should mention that Veronica Roth isn't one of those authors that fills every page with figurative language. Its not like a metaphor here then a simile and hyperbole over there and then two paragraphs of imagery on the next page. I think it's totally fine too. Not every author has to pack their writing with figurative language to make an effect on the reader. In fact, sometimes figurative language can be over done and it takes away from the story itself. Maybe that's why Roth uses subtle figurative language. There's enough to please the reader and it still allows the plot to be what attracts their attention.

     One thing about Roth's use of figurative language is that it doesn't jump right out at you so you recognize it write away. It blends perfectly into the writing like a chameleon (Did you see what I did there? I used a simile in my blog about figurative writing, I'm so clever). I had to be on alert and looking for it to find some examples to show you guys. One example of a metaphor can be found on page 262. Roth writes, "It makes a lot of sense, which makes me suspect it is a call for revolution wrapped in the clothing of rationality" (Roth 262). Here Tris is talking about an article Erudite released about Abnegation controlling the government. She uses this metaphor to explain how the argument was valid but it had a deeper purpose of trying to start an uprising against the government.

     An example of a personification can be found on page 265. Tris thinks to herself, "Too long-and now, even longer, my heart even louder, his tranquil eyes swallowing me whole" (Roth 265). Tris and Four find themselves staring at each other. Obviously Four's eyes aren't literally swallowing Tris-that would be very creepy. This personification is used to show how deep and strong Four's gaze is and the effect is has on Tris. There is also some imagery in this quote. We can see Four's eyes and hear Tris' heart beat. I really like the small bits of figurative language Roth uses. I don't think she needs to use too much because her story is already so powerful. The literary techniques just enhance her writing to make it even better. Author's definitely should use at least some figurative language so their writing doesn't become a lecture. Figurate language is a universal language that makes sense to everyone.



Readers can be Psychic

     I'm moving further into Divergent and I am loving every page turn! Right now I'm at the part where Tris just got beat up by Peter in their duel, which I believe was a totally unfair match and it was all Eric's fault, who I really don't like, he just gives me this bad feeling and- sorry I'm ranting aren't I? Anyway, Tris and the rest of the initiates have just visited the fence to learn about Dauntless jobs. She had a brief conversation with Robert who was from Abnegation and switched to Amity. Then Four warns her about the decisions she makes. The chapter ended with Four and Tris talking and it really got me thinking...

     First off, I think that Four is really Tobias (the son of one of Marcus who is one of the Abnegation political leaders). Earlier in the book Tris' father eplains the story of how Tobias switched factions. He said, "'Two years ago, Tobias, left us for the Dauntless, and Marcus was devastated'" (Roth 34). Later on when Eric tells Four that Max wanted to meet with him, we find out it was to talk about a job. Eric asks if he's interested and Four replies, "'I haven't been interested for two years'" (Roth 68). Even farther into the book we learn that Four finished first out of all the initiates in his group. The top initiates get to pick form the best jobs in the Dauntless faction. From all of this information I am led to believe that Tobias switched to Dauntless, changed his name (just as he advised to Tris who changed her name from Beatrice), finished first in his group, picked the job he wanted, and that job wasn't the job Max wanted him to pick.

     I also predict that Four and Tris develop a sort of romance. When on her way to the fence, Tris constantly finds herself admiring Four. Tris explains, "Every few seconds, though, my eyes shift back to Four...I do it without thinking" (Roth 122). From her subconscious tendency to look at Four we can start to see her affection growing for him. I also have picked up on some hints that indicate Four has his eye on Tris. When the two are talking at the fence Tris asks him why he left when she was getting beat up by Peter. He replies, "'It wasn't something I wanted to watch'" (Roth 129). We can guess that Four wasn't able to do anything about her getting beat up due to Eric being there and the ways of the faction. However, he may have left because he has feelings for Tris and couldn't bear to watch her get hurt, unable to do anything about it.

     I hope my predictions are right and that I am truly a psychic reader. It helps if you really pay attention to details and pick up on the little hints from the author. Of course it also helps if you see the movie previews do to the show being so widely advertised. And then overhearing your friends talk about the book before you have even picked it up can help with figuring out what happens next too. Obviously I only used the context clues because I'm just skilled like that (*Wink*). I guess the only way to find out if my predictions are correct is to continue reading. Divergent here I come!




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Captivating Word Usage

     I have done it. I have finally done it. I'm reading Divergent! Boy am I glad I have too. I know some of my friends would be proud of me and now they can stop badgering me to read it. I haven't seen the movie yet, I wanted to read the book first. I like to get all the details of the story and then I can better understand the movie. Plus I rather read the book and know the ending of the movie instead of watch the movie and know the ending of the book. Does that make sense? Well I guess as long as I know what I mean I'm good. Anyway, the point is I have started Divergent and so far I love it!

   
      First off can I just ask where on Earth these authors get inspiration to write books like this? I mean Veronica Roth has to have a pretty imaginative mind. And a great vocabulary might I add. One thing that has really stood out to me is her word usage. I am only 60 pages in and yet I have found a bunch of examples of unique words. Here are just a couple that lept to me off of the page:

"We don't need stoplights, either, but in some places thay dangle precariously over the road like they might crash down any minute" (Roth 24).

Precariously means exposed to or invloving danger. Using the word dangerously or unsteadily has been over done and people are used to seeing these words. Using a word not as familiar intrigues the reader. It also really demonstrates the state of the old stoplights. We fully understand how unsafe they seem.

"The reason for simplicity isn't disdain for uniqueness, as the other factions have sometimes interpreted it" (Roth 27).

Disdain means to think unworthy of notice. This word shows how some of the other factions think Abnegation live simply because they don't like individuality. I really like this word and haven't  heard it a whole lot. Again Roth uses her great vocabulary to enhance her writing.

"He and I have been exchanging looks for the past year as Susan and Caleb flirt in the tentative way known only to the Abnegtion" (Roth 29).

Tentative means uncertain or hesitant. This word is a little more familiar than the others I have shown. However it still is a great word to describe the shy sort of flirting going on between Susan and Caleb.

     You can see from these examples what a great vocabulary Veronica Roth has. She uses very nice elevated diction that gives her writing a sense of sophistication. I can't wait to keep reading and see what new words I can discover!