I am of small size and stature, having little or no muscle packed into my limbs face the fear of being rendered defenseless against anyone of greater strength than I. Fortunately I’ve never been placed in this position but on odd occasions I have tried to push people away-even for a moment to catch my breath-and could not break the cage of their arms and the stronghold of their hands. This frightens me.
It is my firm belief that no movie can measure up to that of a novel. However one particular scene in Veronica Roth’s adaptation of Divergent gained my full approval. The protagonist, Tris is a complex character. The like of which I have yet to meet both in the fictional and real worlds. Initially I saw her as a small little Stiff, to weak to find her own will. She has proven to me just how dauntless a small little Stiff can be. Tris has a unique and universal fear: the concern of sexual assault.
In a fear simulation Tris finds herself in a fabricated version of her boyfriend, Four’s bedroom and faces a fabricated version of Four himself. An intimate introduction occurs between the two but the affection crumbles shortly and abruptly. Simulation Four sends Tris roughly onto the bed. He towers over her and forces his physical presence upon her. She repeatedly says and then screams a string of strangled but very firm “NO’s”. He is deaf to her refusal so she lunges at him. Fights him off with stealth she didn’t know she possessed. She is fiery. She is furious. She is fierce. Tris conquers her fear and grows comfortable in the knowledge that she has the power to protect herself. At the end of her examination she is applauded for her bravery. Complimented for being brave and smart and strong. In my own experience I’ve learnt that saying yes is simple and submissive. Saying NO is the real test of courage.
Isn’t that spectacular? A phenomenon has occurred right before our eyes! When have you ever seen a woman articulate “no”, defended herself against a rapist and be applauded for it?
Millions of viewers have watched Divergent. They have seen Tris say no and Four listening to and respecting her wishes. This is the spark of change. Just imagine if we, like Tris, openly condemn this sort of abuse. Imagine if we find the inner boldness of our backbones. Imagine if all the males in our lives hear the “NO” instead of a decree of false consent. The monster of rape will not be given the opportunity to rear its ugly head in the bedrooms, dark alleys or in the company of deceptive people we’ve chosen to trust. “No” is all the shield you need to take care of yourself.
In the film being Divergent is seen as a threat to society. A disturbance to the routine of reality and that is absolutely true. If being Divergent like Tris means that you can in no uncertain terms declare that your body is yours and yours alone and that you are the only one who gets to determine who may touch you then women and mem everywhere should be divergent. We should all assert the right of our bodies. We should not have to struggle against the tyrants of rape culture and misogyny. Moreover the build of our body be it petite or pronounced should not be a weakness, an invitation for the physically stronger sex to take advantage and exploit our bodies.
Be brave like Tris. Let your divergence shine through.
Quixotic Novelist 