Morality in the Times of Dystopia: Sacrifice, Loyalty, and Ethical Choices in the World of Divergent

Abstract

This study examines the moral dynamics and motivations that drive the characters’ decisions to make personal sacrifices and remain loyal in Veronica Roth’s Divergent. It illuminates the depth of their relationships and their unwavering commitment to ethical principles in a dystopian setting. The analysis focuses particularly on the protagonist, Beatrice Prior, tracing the difficult moral choices she faces and the risks she takes for the sake of others. Despite adversity and danger, the characters demonstrate loyalty, selflessness, and a readiness to protect one another, reflecting the human capacity for ethical resilience. To provide a comprehensive understanding of these motivations, the study applies Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of moral development, which explains how individuals progress through different stages of moral reasoning—pre-conventional, conventional, and postconventional. By using this theoretical framework, the research examines the characters’ moral dilemmas and the reasoning behind their decisions to sacrifice and remain loyal. Through the lens of moral development theory, the study offers insight into the ethical dimensions of sacrifice, loyalty, and moral growth in a dystopian world.