The Elite

“There was no denying the gardens had become our [mine and Maxon’s] place. Almost every chance we got to be alone, we came out here. It was such a stark contrast to how I used to spend my time with Aspen: holed up in the tiny tree house in my backyard, the only place we could be together safely.”

The difference between what Aspen and Maxon can offer America is illustrated by this comparison between the treehouse and the gardens. Maxon can offer a kingdom, a crown, luxurious surroundings, and a greater sense of freedom. Her relationship with Aspen has always been forbidden, and their interactions need to take place in secret. The suggestion that Aspen belongs to America’s childhood is further suggested by the image of the tree house, while Maxon, in comparison, can give her a palace.

“The windowless room was covered with shelves full of what appeared to be ancient books.”

The number of closed, hidden spaces inside the palace symbolizes the secrets that the royal family have hidden from the people. The room Maxon shows America contains books and maps recounting the history of the world before the wars, a history that is not taught or shared so that those in authority can control the knowledge and actions of the people—one example of the misuse of power shown throughout the book.

“I just think that we’d be a good us.”

In the first quarter of the novel, the relationship between America and Maxon advances as she is willing to entertain the possibilities of their being together, although she can’t yet accept what she would have to forfeit if she chooses him. Their closeness up to and during the Halloween party intensifies the conflict after, when America blames Maxon for what happens to Marlee.

“Dad wasn’t a rebel, out burning houses or anything. But I knew he was unhappy with the way things were run.”

Her father emerges as a mentor and role model for America, the one who has taught her to question how things are and to speak up if she sees something wrong. She relies on his advice to make key decisions and to see clearly, and his unconditional love and acceptance provide consolation in her low moments. This quote highlights the theme of Rebellion Against Expectations and Authority.

“The glow and excitement of the entire evening was overwhelming, like a fire of happiness was swallowing me whole.”

Pairing with the gold imagery that is introduced at the beginning of the chapter describing the Halloween party, America’s feelings at the end of the chapter reach an emotional high point when she understands that Maxon wants to marry her. At this point in the narrative, she decides to be with Maxon, which will cause internal conflict when she begins to doubt his character.

“How did I, America Singer—a Five, a nobody—fall for Maxon Schreave—a One, the One? How did this happen when I’d spent the last two years bracing myself for life as a Six?”

America’s rise in status when she becomes one of the Selected reflects the Cinderella-story roots of the tale, but her change in station also creates part of her confusion and conflict as she struggles to decide where she belongs. The numbers reflect the strict caste system that represent the injustice of their caste-ordered world but also, in a larger sense, the narrowness of America’s choices.

“What an idiot I’d been. I’d almost given up the one person in the world who really knew me, really loved me. Aspen and I had been building a life together, and the Selection nearly destroyed it.”

In the love triangle that drives the conflict of the novel, America’s choice swings back to Aspen when he comforts her after Marlee’s punishment, while Maxon feels distant as America can’t understand his choice. She clings to what feels comfortable, which is Aspen, showing that her character goal is to be loved, cherished, and understood. This quote highlights the theme of Choice Among Competing Affections.

“I’ve known from the beginning that I don’t have what it takes, and I thought that I could—I don’t know—change, or somehow make it work; but I can’t stay here. I can’t.”

Part of America’s internal conflict is that she doesn’t feel fit for the role of princess. There’s an ongoing tension across the books between the suggestion that she can win the prince by being herself, at war with the suggestion that she needs to behave a certain way to prove she is worthy.

“Even if I lost, I didn’t want to go home a loser.”

Though she dislikes the whole structure of the competition, as it leads Maxon to spend time with the other girls, America finds a competitive spirit emerging after she reads the magazine article ranking her last. This spirit returns at the end when she decides to fight for Maxon and the crown.

“There […] my heart broke for the first time over Maxon Schreave. And the ache was unthinkable.”

When America learns from Maxon that he also cares for Kriss, she is in the same position in which she has put Maxon, vying with Aspen for her affections. The confusion caused by competing affections and the need to make a choice drive most of the action of the novel.

“I tried to glean some actual wisdom from his words. He said to use your position. He said to play by the rules. He said to not be afraid.”

The diary of Gregory Illéa begins as America’s secret weapon, a source for information on how she might go from being a commoner to being royalty, successfully. Over time, the diary informs America about the troubled foundation upon which her country was built, allowing her to see the unfair structures of power. This quote speaks to the theme of Rebellion Against Expectations and Authority.

“This isn’t just some prize. This is a husband, a crown, a future. And you probably have the most to gain or lose by it.”

Elise’s words point to an ongoing source of conflict for America throughout the book, which is the competitiveness of the other girls among the Elite. While the other girls have an eye on the prize, America shows a different interest in that she cares most about whether she can have a rewarding relationship with Maxon, proving herself the most fitting choice.

“If you want the crown, America, take it. Take it. Because it should be yours.”

Her father’s advice responds to America’s struggles over whether she could do the job of being a princess if she decides to be Maxon’s choice. Her father reminds her of her worth and deservingness, which America herself doubts.

“I know that you are averse to doing the difficult parts of this job, but there are a lot of opportunities here. I think you could do great things.”

Part of what begins to draw America to staying in the Selection is that she slowly comes to understand the opportunities available to her; as a princess, she would have the power to institute change. Once she sees how Maxon has helped Marlee, she develops her own set of ambitions, changing the stakes and making the contest of the Selection about more than just being Maxon’s favorite.

“It was like he’d taken a piece of something I thought was gone forever and placed it neatly in my hands.”

In her secret meetings with Aspen, America is reminded of their previous closeness and how much she misses that. The familiarity she feels with Aspen contrasts with the discomfort she feels about Maxon’s position, which adds to her conflict over deciding which man to choose.

“She said it out loud, fearlessly. Kriss loved Maxon.”

The theme of Choice Among Competing Affections is exacerbated when America faces competition for Maxon in the form of his friendship with Kriss. Kriss’s clarity about her feelings contrasts with America’s inability to sort out her own confused emotions, and she worries that Kriss is more worthy, adding to her internal conflict.

“And there it was, pushing up through all the worries: hope.”

Hope emerges as a quiet idea within the novel, manifesting in several ways. Aspen and America’s father hope for improvements in the socioeconomic state of Illéa. Aspen and Maxon both hope America will choose them. America hopes she will be able to figure out her feelings and make a decision about the right future for her.

“Protocol was black-and-white. The steps for proposing a law were orderly. These were things I could master.”

Despite the confusion of her feelings about her romantic choices, America begins to consider preparing herself for the job of princess by taking lessons from Silvia in protocol and law-making. Unlike Gregory Illéa, who changed the country to suit his personal pleasure, America is taking an interest in justice and harbors an ambition to change things for the greater good.

“This government sat by while you went without food. They let my brother get beaten in the square. All the talk in the world won’t undo what we are. They put us in a corner we could never get out of on our own.”

Speaking to the theme of injustice and misuse of power, Aspen’s words against the caste system while America is struggling to outline her service project remind her of how unfair the caste system is. Aspen’s words, along with reading Gregory’s diary, stir America’s awakening sensitivity to injustice, which is part of her character arc in this novel.

“We all deserved better. My family, Marlee and Carter, Aspen, even my maids were all stuck because of Gregory’s plans.”

When she decides she wants out of the Selection, America plans a rebellion of her own, though a less violent attack than those of the rebels. She feels she is fighting for the cause of justice, which gives her a new sense of purpose and adds dimension to her evolving character. This quote highlights the themes of Rebellion Against Expectations and Authority and The Need to Protect the Vulnerable.

“Did you not pay attention at all to the way I’m doing things? It’s quiet and small. That’s how it has to be for now.”

America’s wishes to leave the Selection result when she misinterprets Maxon’s character and decides she can’t be with him. When she learns that he, too, cares for and is working for justice, America sees a new side of Maxon that makes her feel affection and connection would be possible. Maxon has been staging his own rebellion, and has paid for it, which arouses her sympathy.

“Maxon was the prince. He was royal, sovereign, set apart from everyone. He was above everything, something including the law, so how had he come to be covered with scars?”

Maxon’s bloody back is a visual image for America telling her that cruelty lurks beneath the calm, luxurious surface of the palace, just as the rebels are resisting the laws of the country. When America realizes Maxon is being physically abused by his father, she becomes his ally in a new way.

“I live in a constant state of tension. I’m always being watched, judged. My parents, our advisors…there are always cameras in my life […] I’m sure you’ve felt trapped at least once because of your caste, but imagine how I feel.”

Maxon’s sense of being trapped in his caste, of feeling watched and judged just as America has been throughout the Selection, makes him an ally and foil to America. Being trapped in the safe room during a rebel attack becomes the climactic moment of the second book, drawing them together once more.