What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Divergent is the first page-to-screen adaptation of author Veronica Roth's best-selling dystopian trilogy. Set in a future Chicago, the movie is slightly less violent than the book but still depicts the brutal world of a post-apocalyptic society divided into factions or groups. People are killed, orphaned, injured, and thoroughly beat up in bloody hand-to-hand combat (including guy on girl fist fights), violent bullying, an armed occupation, and mass killings of unarmed people. There's a central romance, but it remains fairly chaste -- only some longing looks, embraces and one extended, passionate kiss. The movie features a brave, vulnerable, and fierce female main character.
- Families can talk about the popularity of violent dystopian stories aimed at teenagers. What purpose does the violence serve in the story? Is it different to see violence rather than to read about it? How does the violence in the book compare to the movie?
- How does Tris compare to other female protagonists in young adult books and movies? What are her views on love, family, and relationships? Does she have the qualities of a role model?
- Discuss the central romance between Tris and Four. Were you surprised at how slowly it progressed? What messages about love and sex does the film communicate?
- Fans of the book: was the movie a faithful adaptation? What differences did you like, which scenes from the book did you miss?