Staring at your own reflection is considered to be breaking the law of selflessness. Beatrice catches a glimpse of herself for the first time in three months. Her family is allowed to use the single mirror in their house on the special occasion of cutting hair. She is supposed to be selfless. She is supposed to be able to forget her own wishes and needs. After all, that is what Abnegation stands for, right?
Today is a big day. The ever-famous aptitude test is today. Nerves are running high with Beatrice. It's a different story for Caleb. He'll stay with the family. Today isn't hard for him. It is so obvious that he is exactly where he belongs. He has always been the perfect Abnegation child. I mean, he even gave up his seat on the bus to a man he'd never met before.
The goal is to forget about yourself. Caleb can do it. He inherited the ability from their mother and father. They have perfected the art. From the plain hair styles, to the dreary gray robes, Abnegation means to blend in, and not to draw attention to yourself. But Beatrice doesn't seem to fit in.
Today is the last day of this life. Tomorrow will mark the first moment of the rest of every sixteen-year-old's life. It will be the moment they choose their life, their future, their faction. Erudite, the knowledge seekers; Candor, those known for honesty; Amity, the peace keepers; Dauntless, the brave; and of course Abnegation, the selfless.
Watching the Dauntless soar through the air after they have leaped from a moving train is a sort of morning ritual for Beatrice. A sea of black clothing, piercings, and tattoos are seen once more this morning through the window in E wing. For the very last time.
"The atmosphere feels hungry, like every sixteen-year-old is trying to devour as much as he can get of this last day."
No comments:
Post a Comment