The Selection

Silvia quizzes the girls on Illéan history, explaining the complicated backstory of how the United States became the Illéa. America realizes that “what people knew was varied” when it comes to the history of Illéa (208), and Silvia insists that “history isn’t something [they] study,” but “something [they] should just know” (211). The next day, the girls have a photo shoot with Maxon. America suspects that the powers that be want to “find someone who actually look[s] regal and photograph[s] well with [Maxon]” (213). During America’s photo shoot with Maxon, they laugh and are relaxed with one another until a man in a suit interrupts and asks to speak to Maxon. He reports a rebel attack and asks for Maxon’s thoughts. Maxon gives his instructions, and when the man leaves, Maxon tells America that she “must master [...] the ability to appear calm when you feel anything but” (217). He asks her to tell no one about what she just heard. The next day, one of the girls, Janelle, is sent home, and the others are left to puzzle over what happened. Janelle was on a date with Maxon, but Kriss reports that after the date, Janelle was sent home.