The Selection

The “intruder,” Aspen Leger, is America’s neighbor and her secret boyfriend of two years. America explains that “it [is] atypical for a woman to marry down” (15), which means that Aspen, as a Six, is a poor match for her. Despite their caste differences, America is in love with Aspen, and she is willing risk getting into trouble with her mother and the Illéan government to see him. Aspen admits that although the Selection may not seem romantic, he “like[s] that someone gets a happily ever after and all that” (16), and he is encouraging his sisters to enter. America realizes that if one of Aspen’s sisters wins, Aspen’s entire family will become Ones, and then he and America can get married. America has brought Aspen her leftovers from dinner, because “[w]here meals [are] a worry at [America’s] house, they [are] a disaster at Aspen’s” (17), and his family rarely gets consistent food. As they discuss the possibility of kids and marriage, Aspen becomes agitated and reminds America that if she marries him, she’ll have to become a Six like him: “[a]lways hungry” and “[a]lways worried” (19). He encourages America to sign up for the Selection, because he could “never forgive [him]self” (21) if America passed on this opportunity because of him. Reluctantly, America agrees, and Aspen asks her to sing for him. She and Aspen kiss, although they “[stop] shy of the things [they] really wanted” (23). Aspen gives America a penny in exchange for her singing, and as they part ways and return to their homes, America is overwhelmed by her love for Aspen. She adds the penny to a jar full of pennies that Aspen has given her over the last two years, and as she lays in bed, she thinks about how “No queen on any throne could possibly feel more important than [she] [does]” (24).

The next morning, America’s mother has a proposal for her: If America is willing to sign up for the Selection, her parents will allow her to “accept [her] own work” and “keep half of whatever [she] make[s]” (26) performing. America agrees, remembering her promise to Aspen from the night before, and her mother and younger sister May are ecstatic. Her father, however, says that he just “want[s] [her] to be loved” (30). She fills out the information and goes to the Province of Carolina Services Office with her mother, where they run into Aspen’s mother and sisters, Celia and Kamber. America thinks that “[e]very girl in the province [is] signing up” as the girls prepare to have their pictures taken (33). As America’s mother chats with Aspen’s mother, they start talking about Aspen and how strange he has been behaving lately. Aspen’s mother admits that she thinks Aspen is seeing someone, and “he’s been putting money away,” so she thinks he “must be trying to save up to get married” (37). America’s relationship with Aspen is a secret, so she tries not to react, but when it’s time to take her picture, she “[doesn’t] think any girl in all of Illéa could have been smiling more than [her]” (37).

On Friday night, America and her family watch the Illéa Capital Report for any news about the upcoming Selection. Her mother reminds the family that it may take some time before they learn whether or not America was chosen. In the meantime, America takes in the royal family on television. She admits that Maxon is “handsome in his own way” (40), but “he [seems] more like a painting than a person” (40). Maxon’s mother, Queen Amberly, was a Four before the last Selection when she was chosen by Maxon’s father, King Clarkson. The Master of Events, Gavril Fadaye, interviews Prince Maxon and asks him how he feels about the fact that “In less than a month, 35 women will be moving into [Maxon’s] house” (43). Maxon replies that he is a bit nervous, but he’s looking forward to it. Maxon is polite, proper, and he “radiate[s] waves of formality” (44). May teases America about the possibility of marrying Maxon, but America thinks that “Maxon [is] so stiff and quiet […] It [is] hard to imagine anyone being happy with such a wimp” (45). After the family goes to bed, Aspen knocks on America’s window and she steps out and starts kissing him. Their kissing becomes more passionate, but they have to stop, because “[i]f [they] went any further, and there was ever evidence of it, [they’d] both be thrown in jail” (46). Aspen promises that “one day [America] will fall asleep in [his] arms every night” (47), and despite America’s nervousness about the Selection and trying to figure out her future, “[n]one of it matter[s]. Not if [she] [has] Aspen” (47).