The Elite (By Kiera Cass)

CONTRASTS AND CONTRADICTIONS

• Example: America has a hard time choosing between Maxon and Aspen. She loves Maxon, but at the same time, she still has feelings for Aspen.
• Aspen was America's first love, and she thought he would be her last, but then, she fell in love with Prince Maxon and wants to stay in the Selection.

AHA MOMENTS

• Example: "And there it was, pushing up through all the worries: hope."
• America has been struggling to find out what she really wants; her normal life before the Selection, or to be the Princess of Illea.

TOUGH QUESTIONS

• 1. "How could I make a choice that would leave some part of me devastated either way?" -America
• 2. Have you ever wanted something you couldn't have?" -Lucy
• These questions relate to one thing: a choice.

WORDS OF THE WISER

• 1. "I know who you are Mer. Don't let them try to change you." -Aspen
• 2. "The reason you're still here is because he refuses to lose hope." -Marlee
• Aspen knows that he won't have America, but he still wants her to be the woman she has been since the beginning. Marlee knows Prince Maxon loves America, and that's why she's still in the Selection.

AGAIN AND AGAIN

• Example: "I was afraid. Afraid that Maxon's feelings weren't as genuine as they seemed. Afraid of what being a princess might mean for me. Afraid of losing Aspen."
• Not only was the word "afraid" mentioned many times in this phrase, but America has felt this way —over and over again—throughout the novel.

MEMORY MOMENT

• Example: "That little feather of a kiss sent me back to a memory that felt years old. He had kissed my hand like that my first night in the palace when I'd yelled at him; when he'd let me stay anyway."
• This memory moment shows that America still wants to stay in the palace with Prince Maxon and still wants a chance to become the Princess of Illea.