The Selection

After the Report, the girls have dinner together, and America notices that the other girls are giving her odd looks. After dinner, she asks Marlee  about it, and her new friend assures her that they are probably “just a little nervous because everyone liked [America] so much” (105). That night, America returns to her room where her maids are eagerly awaiting to assist her. She dismisses them, asking for some privacy, then lays awake thinking about Aspen. She remembers the nasty looks from the other girls, the imminent danger of living in the palace, and how much she misses her home and family. She panics, deciding that “[t]here [is] no freedom in this” (111), and she runs to the grand stairwell and tries to escape from the palace. Palace guards stop her, but suddenly, Prince Maxon appears and orders the guards to “[o]pen the doors and let her go” (112).

America rushes outside into the garden and tries to pull herself together, but she can’t stop herself from crying. Maxon follows her and tries to talk to her, but America snaps at him, accusing him of keeping her and the other Selected girls in a “cage.” She asks if this is really “how [he] want[s] to pick a wife” (114). Maxon is polite, gentle, and genuinely confused about America’s hostility. He explains that he has lived a very sheltered life, and he hasn’t had much experience with women. However, he says that “[his] mother and father were married this way and are quite happy” (115), so he is hopeful that he will find a companion and confidante during the Selection. America is impressed with Maxon’s sincerity, and she “[feels] [her] distaste for him lessen. Marginally” (115). He tells her that he “hope[s] [she] find[s] something in this cage worth fighting for” (117), and he allows her some privacy in the garden.

The next morning, America regrets how she spoke to Maxon the night before. As she dresses for breakfast, she wonders if Maxon will dismiss her from the palace. America chooses light makeup and jewelry, and when she shows up to breakfast, she notices that “[e]veryone want[s] to stand out, and they all [do]” (122). Before breakfast, the girls are given a lesson in table manners and royal decorum, and they are reminded that ladies are expected to not speak unless spoken to. Prince Maxon enters and announces that he will be chatting with each of them before breakfast. America guesses that “he [is] trying to get a feel for each girl in less than five minutes” (126). America’s turn comes, and she and Maxon speak honestly about what happened the night before. America apologizes for yelling at him, and Maxon thanks her for “[being] very up front with [him]” (128). He realizes that America doesn’t want to be there, and he asks if there is any chance that she might come to love him.

America explains that “[her] heart is elsewhere” (128), but she admits that she wants to stay so her family will get the money. Maxon is a little hurt, but he understands. America offers to be Maxon’s friend and confidante in exchange for him letting her stay. Maxon agrees, and America returns to the group as Maxon continues to talk to the Selected girls. Eight girls are asked to stay behind, and the others, including America, are sent to breakfast with the King and Queen. Maxon joins them, but the missing eight girls do not follow. America realizes that the girls have been sent home, and “Just like that, we were down to twenty-seven” (133).

During the first breakfast with the royal family, America is overwhelmed by the quality of the food. Maxon addresses America in front of everyone, and when he asks her how she is enjoying breakfast, she declares that the strawberry tart is so delicious that her younger sister would “cry if she tasted [it]” (136). Maxon is amused by this and makes a wager with America: They will send May some of the strawberry tarts, and if she cries, America may “wear pants for a week” (137), but if May doesn’t cry, America must go on a walk with Maxon, which will make her “the first person to officially get time one-on-one with the prince” (137).

America loses the bet when May doesn’t cry, but she is still able to write to her family, and they write back to her, which eases some of her homesickness. The next day, America goes on her walk with Maxon, and they discuss their families. But in the middle of their walk, America is seized with fear when she realizes that she and Maxon are alone, and he is getting closer to her. She notices that there are “[n]o guards, no cameras, no one to stop him from doing whatever he wanted” (145), and in a panic, she knees him in the thigh. Maxon is hurt, angry, and offended that America thinks he would proposition her for sexual favors like this, and their date ends abruptly. Back in her room, America finds a present from Maxon that was sent to her room right before their date: three pairs of pants.