Clusters of families stand on the Pit floor, most of them Dauntless families with Dauntless initiates. They still look strange to me—a mother with a pierced eyebrow, a father with a tattooed arm, an initiate with purple hair, a wholesome family unit. I spot Drew and Molly standing alone at one end of the room and suppress a smile. At least their families didn’t come.

What does wholesome mean here? Is it used here sarcastically?

Question

Clusters of families stand on the Pit floor, most of them Dauntless families with Dauntless initiates. They still look strange to me—a mother with a pierced eyebrow, a father with a tattooed arm, an initiate with purple hair, a wholesome family unit. I spot Drew and Molly standing alone at one end of the room and suppress a smile. At least their families didn’t come.

What does wholesome mean here? Is it used here sarcastically?

Answer

In this context, the term "wholesome" is likely used with a bit of irony or contrast. The description highlights the unconventional appearance of the Dauntless families (piercings, tattoos, purple hair), which traditionally might not align with the typical image of a "wholesome family unit." Generally, "wholesome" refers to something that promotes good health or morality, often associated with a conventional, traditional, or family-oriented image.

The irony here is in juxtaposing the non-traditional, perhaps rebellious, appearance of the Dauntless families with the term "wholesome." It suggests that despite their unconventional appearance, these families still embody the core values of a family unit, such as love, support, and togetherness. The author is possibly challenging the stereotypical image of what constitutes a wholesome family.