the plot (GD/GP)

[Rose]

Is anybody else slightly annoyed by the GD/GP thing? Like to me it seemed as if that plot was thought up incredibly quickly and put little care into it? Did anybody else notice the lack of action? I mean the preceding books allowed so much potential for Allegiant to be amazing, but it really let me down. Did anybody else experience this?

[Shanti]

it was just a metaphor for other discrimination that happens. Wherever you are people will discriminate each other. I understand that there wasn't as much action but the complex and deep characterization of Tobias and Tris was amazing. That understanding of their characters helped to understand Tris's choice at the end (notice how completely unspoilery that was (:)

[Sabrina]

Absolutly. not to mention the fact that it doesn't make sense, I mean Tabula Rasa anyone? the mind is a blank slate? our traits are influenced by our environment? it really destroyed the series, I mean the whole "Faction before blood" idea is incredibly stupid. If they were trying to breed "Genetically Pure" people wouldn't they ENCOURAGE fraternizing with other factions instead of hoping that genetically pure babies will just magically appear? genetics, you keep using that word, I don't think that means what you think it means. Veronica Roth, I think you need to retake Biology.

[Lauren]

I understand that Roth was trying to create an allegory for prejudice; it was not exactly subtle. In fact it was quite obnoxious how heavyhanded yet shallow it was. Anyway, the plot was still stupid. The actual matter of it, beyond the metaphorical implications, makes absolutely no sense in logic or science, and it was clearly something she pulled out of her ass at the last minute.

[Arielle]

Yes, yes, and yes.

Prejudice allegory.. selflessness allegory.. self sacrifice allegory.. forgiveness allegory..
Pick a damn theme and stick to it, Roth.
She tried way too hard to make a bad plot work with all these meanings in one book. It ended up being a crapfest imo.

[Kristen]

I wasn't thrilled with the direction she went, but the genetic angle could have worked if it had been done better. Much much better. As it was, it didn't make any sense and left gaping plot holes in the series.
I agree. It was a huge let down from the previous books.

[Kristen]

Madeira wrote: "it was just a metaphor for other discrimination that happens. Wherever you are people will discriminate each other. I understand that there wasn't as much action but the complex and deep characteri..."



Sure, but the attempt was ruined by the incoherence of the plot and contrived scenarios that were meant to prove the point. Given a little thought and effort, it could have been great. Instead, it was weak, drawn-out, and disappointing.

[Kristen]

Sabrina wrote: "Absolutly. not to mention the fact that it doesn't make sense, I mean Tabula Rasa anyone? the mind is a blank slate? our traits are influenced by our environment? it really destroyed the series, I ..."

If you really think about it, the entire system is contradictory, even discounting the whole GD/GP thing.
If each faction truly believes that their one valued trait is the answer to everything (which is a ridiculous idea to begin with), they would have to abhor the other factions for not valuing the same thing they do. Or for valuing something that contradicts their values.

If each person in a given faction believed so strongly in their chosen value, they would not encourage their kids to make their own decisions and switch factions. There would be no real choice because anyone who grows up in, say Amity, would be programmed to hate Dauntless and Candor. And vice verse.

And if that were the case, the society wouldn't be able to function since everyone has so much animosity for everyone else, because their lives are so dependent on each other, even though they are essentially separate.