The Selection

Aspen is America’s neighbor and secret boyfriend in the first chapters of The Selection. While America is a Five, Aspen is a Six, and America describes him as “the most attractive guy in town” with “dark hair and green eyes, and this smile that made you think he had a secret” (14). Aspen was friends with America’s older brother, Kota, and although America grew up with him, their relationship didn’t become romantic until her 15th birthday. To America, “Aspen [feels] like home” (292), and throughout The Selection, Aspen’s presence is a powerful motivating force for America.

America calls Aspen “smarter than anyone knew and devastatingly handsome” (15), and if circumstances were different, he might have been highly successful. However, as a Six, Aspen struggles to make ends meet, and his situation is further complicated by the fact that he had to assume responsibility for his entire family after the death of his father, despite being so young himself. As the oldest of seven brothers and sisters, Aspen constantly faces the daunting task of working enough to feed them all. Aspen is self-sacrificing, and he “passe[s] his share of the little food they [have] down to his siblings and to his mom, who [is] always tired from working” (17). Aspen cares little about his own health, safety, and well-being, and he isn’t happy unless the people he loves are provided for.

Aspen loves America, but he believes that if he marries her, he’ll be dragging her down into a life of poverty and hunger. Aspen already feels so overwhelmed with the heavy responsibility of caring for his own family that he can’t accept the idea of also having to provide for America. Aspen is on his way to working himself to death, and he allows his own self-doubt to sabotage his relationship despite their mutual affection. The pair reunite in the palace after Aspen joins the military, and Aspen expresses regret and confirms he still loves America. America would do anything to make Aspen happy, but things have changed, and they find their roles reversed: Aspen expresses determination and devotion in the face of America’s caution and doubt. As they navigate the waters of breakup and reunion at the palace, America’s feelings for Aspen are often bittersweet and complicated. Aspen is not a bad person, but he puts too much pressure on himself to be the perfect provider, boyfriend, husband, and in doing so, he pushes the girl he loves into the arms of another man.

Maxon is the crown prince of the nation of Illéa, America’s second love interest, and the central figure at the heart of the Selection process. Maxon comes of age at the beginning of the novel, which means that the time has come for him to find a suitable princess to help him rule the country. Before they meet, America observes him on television and thinks he must be “[a] snot, no doubt, but friendly” (16). She finds him attractive but overly stiff, since “his clean hair was too perfect, his tailored suit too crisp” (40). Maxon’s carefully constructed image clashes with Aspen’s tousled, rugged good looks, and at first, America finds such a clean-cut appearance off-putting. She says that Maxon “seem[s] more like a painting than a person” (40), making up her mind about him before she ever meets him. But despite America’s harsh judgment towards Maxon, she soon discovers that he is not at all what he seems to be, and the man who “radiate[s] waves of formality” is far more personable than anyone expected (43).

When Maxon meets America in Chapter 10, he explains that he is “very guarded,” and he “[doesn’t] meet very many women” (115). Maxon is very concerned about making sure the girls in the Selection feel comfortable and respected, and despite his inexperience with women, he is willing to listen and learn in order to become a loving and attentive partner. From Maxon’s perspective, the Selection process is a genuine opportunity to find a bride he can genuinely connect with, just like his parents before him.

Maxon cares deeply about becoming the best leader he can be. He is full of fresh ideas and perspectives, but he tells America that “[his] opinion is easily overlooked” while his father is still in command of the country (226). As they grow closer, it becomes apparent to them both that Maxon doesn’t know enough about his country and the poverty that plagues the lower castes. Maxon struggles to find his voice in a world where his father and his royal advisers try to steer his decision-making. Still, America finds herself drawn to Maxon when he is authoritative and decisive, and she remarks that he is “much more attractive when he [is] using his status for a purpose” (232). Maxon is far from the spoiled prince that America was expecting, and although she once saw him as a “stiff, distant, boring person” (248), her opinion of him changes as soon as she starts spending time with him. America declares that “Maxon Schreave is the epitome of all things good. He is going to be a phenomenal king” (248). Maxon isn’t an intimidating public figure to her anymore, but a warm, caring, devoted man who is worthy of trust and admiration.

Marlee is one of the contestants in the Selection and one of America’s few friends at the palace. Marlee is a Four, and while she is technically one caste higher than America, their backgrounds are similar, and her warm, enthusiastic personality makes her a crowd favorite early on in the Selection. When America first meets Marlee, she expects a cold reception from her competitor. However, Marlee “move[s] in for an immediate hug” and greets America with an open heart (80). America’s mother tried to prepare her for a cutthroat competition and 34 hostile girls, but “Marlee’s manner [is] so vivacious that [America’s] smile [grows] wider” the more they talk (81). For America, making friends was always difficult, but Marlee quickly becomes a confidante and trusted friend at the palace.

Early on in the competition, Marlee is highlighted as “an immediate favorite” (102), despite her caste position. Marlee is beautiful and friendly, and her sincere enthusiasm sets her apart from the others. America calls Marlee “generous and fair,” and she believes that Marlee would make “a great princess” (200). Even Maxon admits that he chose to keep Marlee in the competition because she is the crowd darling, and that type of popularity with the people cannot be ignored. Despite this, America notices that Marlee’s excitement for the Selection wanes as the novel goes on, and Marlee confesses that while she finds Maxon attractive, she doesn’t have any romantic feelings for him. Marlee is wise and doesn’t want to force a connection with Maxon, but she is still determined to stay in the palace, which leads America to wonder if Marlee might be hiding something.