Judith Butler states in her book 'Gender Trouble', that 'gender should be seen as a fluid variable which shifts and changes in different contexts at different times'. This is relevant to the recent film 'Divergent' (2014), as male and female characters are seen as equal, and their lives depend on their personalities and character traits rather than the importance of gender. Women are in top leadership positions in the film, which presents the key theme of gender empowerment. Boys and girls sleep in the same room and use the same bathroom facilities without that devolving into sexual tension. Self-control and sexual equality are simply a fact of life in the post-modern era in which the film is set.
Divergent also defies the parameters of traditional gender roles. The actor Theo James, who plays the supporting role of Four in the film said that “We’re in a world where masculinity, especially with these big spectacle movies, is often pushed by rippling six packs and forcing an image down someone’s throat trying to prove masculinity. Whereas I think true masculinity comes from having a strong sense of self,”. This agrees with Butler's idea of 'gender as a performance' and that you don't have to conform to society, despite having the seem conformist in the film, you can choose how to identify yourself, as a masculine or feminine character. Butler emphasises how gender is staged. This is true for the protagonist Tris who acts in a much more masculine way in order to fit into the conforming society of the Dauntless (courageous) faction. However, throughout the film there are sections where she is presented as a true girl as loving beautifying herself, such as getting dressed up and her hair done. However a following scene contrasts this where she gets a tattoo, which is seen as something more masculine. Tris must conform to the male lead society in order to be accepted into her new life.
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