The Selection

After the attack subsides, America wonders “just how many attacks the palace suffered through that [they] never heard about” (168). She starts to spend more time with her maids, and she learns more about life in the palace as she grows closer to them. One day, Maxon comes to visit, and America dismisses the maids. As Maxon surveys America’s bedroom, he suggests that since they are friends, “perhaps [they] shouldn’t be relying on the traditional notes sent through maids and formal invitations for dates” (172). He proposes using an ear tug in public settings to ask for a private audience, and America agrees. On Friday, the girls appear on the Illéa Capital Report, and as they dress and primp for the cameras, a general feeling of nervousness sweeps through the Selected. America notices that while the other girls wear “seductive reds and lively greens [...] no one else [wears] blue” like her (177). Right before the Report begins, Maxon uses their new signal, and America is “excited to know that tonight, after dinner, Maxon would be stopping by [her] room” (178). The Report begins with a state of the nation, and despite what the announcements say, America doubts that the rebels are fully responsible for all of the country’s problems. Maxon is interviewed by Gavril Fadaye while the Selected girls sit off to the side. Gavril asks if all the girls are “sweet, gentle ladies” (179), and Maxon admits that one of the girls yelled at him the first time they met. Still, he tells Gavril that the girl is still with them, and that “[he] plan[s] on keeping her here for quite a while” (181).

After dinner, America returns to her room and sends her maids away. As she awaits Maxon’s arrival, America realizes how nervous Maxon gets around women, and how his behavior “[is] quite a contrast to Aspen” (183). Maxon arrives, and as he and America leave her room to go on a walk, they pass some of the girls in the hallways, including Celeste. America feels Celeste “staring daggers at [her]” (185). As America and Maxon continue on their walk, they discuss the Selection, and Maxon tells her that the process is difficult for him, too. After all, his family and the entire country are “watch[ing] as [he] attempt[s] to date for the first time” (186), and he is nervous that he will end up making the wrong decision. America tells him about her family, , especially Kota, who abandoned the family after coming into money. She also describes the pressures she feels at home.

Finally, she opens up about her love affair with Aspen, and although she doesn’t name her ex-boyfriend, she tells Maxon the details about how they met, how they started seeing each other, and how Aspen constantly worried about “how he couldn’t give [her] what he thought [she] deserved” (194). She then tells Maxon about how they broke up, and when she last saw Aspen, “He was with another girl” (195). She explains that she doesn’t want to go home because she isn’t ready to face her ex-boyfriend and his new love. Maxon is “absolutely heartbroken for [America]” (195), and he hugs her. He promises that he will “keep [America] here until the last possible moment” so she doesn’t have to go home and face Aspen until she is ready (196). America is thankful for Maxon’s friendship, and as she hugs Maxon, she realizes that his arms are “the last place [she] ever thought [she’d] find genuine comfort” (197).

The next morning, America is comforted by Maxon’s promise to keep her in the palace for as long as possible. She realizes that when it comes to Aspen, “[t]ime and space [is] just what [she] need[s]” (198). The women gather together in the Women’s Room, and America meets with Marlee to discuss Maxon. Marlee tells America that she had her first date with Maxon, and they had a great time watching a movie in the palace’s private theater. America is thrilled, and they talk about all the things they like about Maxon. America notices that “more than half the girls [seem] tense or unhappy,” and Marlee explains that “[t]he grumpy ones are the girls [Maxon] hasn’t been out with yet” (204). Tensions are running high, especially because word has gotten out that America has been alone with Maxon twice. Suddenly, a girl named Anna “reache[s] up and slap[s] Celeste across the face” (206). The girls are shocked because Anna is a peaceful, non-confrontational girl. America suspects that Celeste provoked Anna, but it doesn’t matter, and “Anna [is] gone before dinner” (207).