Insurgent
Chapter Fifteen
by Veronica, RothThe chapter opens with the protagonist, Tris, recovering from a gunshot wound that left a hard bump on her shoulder but no bleeding. As she assesses her surroundings, she notices metal cylinders releasing a strange white smoke that quickly dissipates. Around her, Dauntless soldiers lie unconscious, including her allies Uriah and Lynn. Tris quickly deduces that the smoke was a simulation-inducing gas, though its effects defy the rules she knows. She feigns unconsciousness as Dauntless traitors, led by the cold and calculating Eric, enter the lobby, discussing their plans to subdue rather than kill their opponents.
Realizing she must act quickly, Tris notices a nearby gun but hesitates due to her fear of panicking. Once the traitors disperse, she springs into action, grabbing a knife and searching for a way to blend in. She takes a blue armband and jacket from a dead Dauntless traitor, trying to ignore the gruesome sight of the woman’s bullet wound. Uriah, who is also Divergent and immune to the gas, joins her, and the two disguise themselves in the traitors’ uniforms. Tris is disturbed by the young age of some of the dead traitors, but she pushes aside her emotions, focusing on their mission to warn the Dauntless upstairs.
Tris and Uriah debate their next steps, with Uriah advocating for escape while Tris insists on confronting the threat head-on. Despite the recklessness of her plan, Tris feels a disturbing indifference to the danger, driven by a need to uncover the truth. She directs Uriah to evacuate the third floor while she heads to the second floor to find other Divergent who might be hiding. As they separate, Tris reflects on the brutality of the Dauntless, recalling a Candor children’s song that portrays them as cruel and self-destructive.
The chapter ends with Tris stepping over unconscious bodies in the hallway, her mind echoing the haunting lyrics about the Dauntless tearing each other apart. Her determination to fight back is tempered by a sense of inevitability, as she prepares to face the chaos unfolding around her. The scene underscores the internal and external conflicts Tris faces, highlighting her resilience and the grim reality of the factional warfare engulfing her world.
FAQs
1. What was the nature of the attack on Tris and the Dauntless soldiers in the lobby, and why was Tris able to remain conscious when others weren’t?
Answer:
The attack involved metal cylinders releasing a fast-evaporating white smoke that rendered most Dauntless soldiers unconscious. Tris notes the smoke didn’t burn or sting but suspects it was simulation-inducing, as she—being Divergent—is immune to such effects. The text reveals her thought process: “Whatever they gassed us with, it had to be simulation-inducing or I wouldn’t be the only one awake.” This aligns with the established Divergent trait of resistance to mind-altering simulations. The attackers (Dauntless traitors led by Eric) chose this method to incapacitate rather than kill, as Eric later explains they need survivors to maintain societal functions.2. How does Tris demonstrate strategic thinking and emotional control during the crisis, despite her self-described recklessness?
Answer:
Tris exhibits strategic thinking by immediately assessing the situation: she checks her non-fatal shoulder injury, analyzes the gas attack’s purpose, and decides to blend in (“act like everyone else”). Her quick decision to disguise herself and Uriah using the traitors’ jackets and armbands shows pragmatism: she focuses on the blue armband as a key tool despite her disgust at handling a corpse. However, her internal monologue reveals conflicting emotions—anger at the young traitor’s death, detachment (“I don’t really care” about dying), and suppressed panic when considering grabbing a gun. This duality highlights her growth in crisis management while still struggling with self-destructive impulses.3. Analyze the significance of Eric’s statement: “No people means no one left to create prosperous conditions.” What does this reveal about the attackers’ motives?
Answer:
Eric’s statement reveals the attack isn’t purely about annihilation but controlled domination. By sparing most Dauntless (using non-lethal gas), the traitors aim to preserve a workforce while eliminating resistance. This aligns with the faction system’s core tension—maintaining societal structure through oppression. His rebuke to Bob (“we can’t just kill everyone”) suggests a calculated, long-term vision contrasting with brute-force tactics. The chapter later reinforces this when Tris observes only attackers were killed, implying their sacrifice was premeditated to enable the larger group’s infiltration. This foreshadows the systemic control the Erudite-Dauntless alliance seeks.4. How does the Candor children’s song (“Dauntless is the cruelest of the five…”) serve as thematic foreshadowing in this chapter?
Answer:
The song’s lyrics about Dauntless “tear[ing] each other to pieces” literally manifest in this chapter’s Dauntless-on-Dauntless violence, emphasizing the faction’s internal corruption. Historically, Dauntless valued bravery and protection, but under Eric’s leadership, they’ve become tools of oppression—shown when traitors shoot their own (the gray-haired woman) during the attack. The song, recalled as Tris steps over unconscious allies, underscores the tragedy of the faction’s betrayal of its ideals. This mirrors Tris’s earlier realization about the attack’s irony: the gas weapon avoids bloodshed but achieves psychological domination, making the violence more insidious than traditional Dauntless combat.5. Why does Tris choose to go toward danger (the upper floors) rather than escape, and what does this reveal about her character development?
Answer:
Tris’s decision to infiltrate the upper floors demonstrates her shift from self-preservation to strategic sacrifice. While she admits being reckless and “probably gain[ing] nothing,” her stated goal—warning others and finding Divergent—shows a commitment to collective survival over individual safety. This contrasts with Uriah’s initial urge to flee. Her instructions to him (“Tell them to evacuate quietly”) reveal tactical thinking despite her emotional numbness. The chapter highlights her complex motivation: part calculated resistance (“look for the Divergent”), part self-destructive impulse (“I don’t really care”). This duality reflects her ongoing struggle to balance Dauntless bravery with purposeful leadership.
Quotes
1. “I decide to do what I always do when I’m not sure what’s going on: I act like everyone else.”
This quote captures Tris’s survival instinct and adaptability in crisis situations. It reveals her strategic thinking while also hinting at the theme of conformity vs. individuality that runs through the series.
2. ““Not sure why we can’t just shoot them all in the head,” one of them says. “If there’s no army, we win.” / “Now, Bob, we can’t just kill everyone,” a cold voice says.”
This exchange between the Dauntless traitors and Eric highlights the brutal pragmatism of the antagonists. It shows the faction’s internal conflict and establishes the stakes of the confrontation.
3. “Deep inside me I know the answer: I am being reckless. I will probably gain nothing. I will probably die. / And more disturbing still: I don’t really care.”
This introspective moment reveals Tris’s emotional state and growing fatalism. It marks a turning point in the chapter where personal risk becomes secondary to the larger conflict.
4. “Dauntless is the cruelest of the five / They tear each other to pieces….”
This haunting verse from a Candor children’s song serves as thematic commentary on the chapter’s events. It encapsulates the tragic irony of the Dauntless civil war and foreshadows further conflict.