The Elite

The Elite sit with Queen Amberly, who describes her wedding, when she was chosen from the Selection by King Clarkson. The other girls describe the wedding they’d wish to have with Maxon. America, who once imagined she would marry Aspen, admits that she would like for her father to give her away. Only Marlee, who has become America’s best friend, seems uninterested in marrying the prince. America hopes she will remain in touch with Marlee when the Selection is over. Marlee reminds America that, though she was born a Five in the caste system that rules Illéa—which means her family is required to work as artists and musicians—the Selection has made America a Three, a higher caste. Natalie seems distant, Celeste complains, but Kriss always seems calm and ladylike. In the hallway, America runs into a guard, Officer Woodwork.

America tries to read a report on military statistics and chats with her maids—Anne, Mary, and Lucy—with whom she is close. Maxon visits and takes America into the gardens, which have become their refuge. As they hold hands, Maxon notices the calluses on America’s fingers from playing the violin. He invites her to ask him questions, and she wants to know what Halloween is, as she read about it once in an old history book. Maxon takes her to a secret room in the palace that holds a computer, banned books, and maps. Maxon looks up Halloween and finds a mention in the diary of Gregory Illéa, the man who founded their country after the American State of China got involved in the Fourth World War. Maxon allows America to take the book in secret. America is pleased to have his trust and hides the book in her piano bench.

America tries giving Marlee piano lessons, and Marlee asks America why she continues to push Maxon away. America can’t confide that there is someone else she can’t let go of. America suspects Marlee has a secret but doesn’t press her. At dinner, America requests to talk to Maxon using their secret signal, tugging on an ear, but he is busy. As she walks to her room, Aspen grazes her arm, and America feels dizzy from his touch. She knows she must choose Maxon or Aspen, but she wonders how to “make a choice that would leave some part of [her] devastated either way” (30).

The Elite girls are interviewed by Gavril Fadaye for the Report on their opinions about Illéa’s military. Celeste suggests raising draft numbers for the war with New Asia. America, who dislikes Celeste, says enlistment should be voluntary. Kriss suggests opening service to women, saying, “some girls have a frightening killer instinct” (34). America recalls a neighbor from her home province, Carolina, who lost her husband and son to the wars and was reduced to begging as an Eight.

Maxon comes to America’s room and suggests a Halloween party. The girls could wear costumes, and guards could dance with them. When he says the girls can invite their families, America hugs him, thrilled at the idea of seeing her parents and younger sister, May. She feels hopeful about being with Maxon. Though she is jealous of his attention to the other girls, she admits that she doesn’t want to leave him. She wants to be his, though “[i]t might mean welcoming a future I never thought I would and saying good-bye to things I never intended to” (39). Maxon seems relieved when America suggests they could be good together, and they embrace. America cherishes the moment, though it feels fragile.

The girls are photographed while they design their costumes for the Halloween party. America is inspired by her necklace with the image of songbird, a gift from her father, but is put off when it seems Celeste has a bird costume. Maxon reveals that an elimination will happen after the party. America is troubled when a week goes by without personal time with him, though he spends time with the other girls. The girls have dance lessons with the guards, where America witnesses Celeste being mean to Natalie. Aspen approaches America, and she feels guilty that he hasn’t thought much about him lately. America is a clumsy dancer, and she worries that Maxon is having second thoughts. Aspen indicates that he will always be there for her.

America waits in the foyer of the palace with the other girls to welcome their families. Silvia, who oversees the girls and their etiquette, reminds America to remain calm. Excitement erupts when the families arrive, and America clings to her sister and parents. Maxon approaches and introduces himself to America’s family, then welcomes the whole group.

America speaks to her father about the history she is learning about the former President Wallis, the last leader of the former US and the American State of China. She has learned that the US was invaded at the beginning of the Third World War and, because it couldn’t repay its debt, the Chinese government took over. When the Fourth World War began, the new county of Illéa rose from the economic devastation. Castes were assigned at that time, which her father believes is unfair. America tells him about the secret room full of books.

In her room, America finds May chatting with America’s maid, Lucy, who was sold to the palace when the woman she worked for found out her son was in love with Lucy. Lucy describes being in love, and America thinks that “[l]ove is beautiful fear” (62). She reads a letter from her brother, Kota, who wants to ingratiate himself with the royal family. During tea with the queen, America sees Maxon and her father walking outside in the gardens, talking then shaking hands.

The Halloween party is dazzling. America sees Marlee, dressed as an angel, dancing with Officer Woodwork. America is dressed as a butterfly. The royal family enters, and America thinks about how the Selection provided King Clarkson with the ideal partner in Queen Amberly. Maxon dances with other girls, and America chides Aspen for dancing with Celeste. She recalls the moments she has shared with Aspen and realizes that a potential goodbye will break her heart. Maxon asks America to dance, saying he’s done his duty to the other girls and now can spend the evening with her. He admits that America is still the only girl he wants: He asked her father’s permission to propose, which he plans to do as soon as America is ready. He asks America to promise she will stay with him, and she agrees. She is happy and can finally imagine marrying Maxon.