How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
The whole thing made me feel like my family didn't think I had any right to want something of my own. It bothered me. (3.49)
America often feels hemmed in by her family, and this only gets worse once the Selection rolls around. Rightly or wrongly, her mother sees the Selection as a way for the family to escape poverty, and she's not giving America any choice in the matter.
Quote #2
"You cannot leave the palace of your own accord. You have to be dismissed by the prince himself." (6.39)
While America is taking part in the Selection, she's completely under Prince Maxon's control. She can't even sneeze without him signing a permission slip. No matter the payoff, it's never fun to have your personal freedom so constrained.
Quote #3
"You are not to go outside under any circumstances," Silvia continued, "During the day, there will be times when you can go into the garden, but not without permission." (9.86)
Although Silvia tries to frame this as a safety precaution, it's hard to believe that there's not something deeper going on here. The entire Selection is built around these thirty-five women being under the thumb of the prince, after all, so it's counter-intuitive that they'd be allowed any degree of freedom.