Roth, Veronica — Divergent 01 — Divergent
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
by Veronica, Roth,The chapter depicts a tense confrontation between the protagonist and Tobias, who is trapped in a simulation that has turned him against her. Despite her attempts to reason with him, Tobias, under the simulation’s influence, perceives her as a threat and orders her to drop her weapon. When she complies, he remains hostile, forcing her to physically engage him to survive. The protagonist struggles with the moral dilemma of fighting someone she cares about, knowing he is not in control of his actions. The scene highlights her desperation and the emotional turmoil of facing a loved one who no longer recognizes her.
As the physical struggle escalates, the protagonist realizes she cannot overpower Tobias but remains determined to stop the simulation. She momentarily gains control of the gun but hesitates to use it against him, believing his true self is still buried within. Her internal conflict is palpable as she grapples with the idea of harming him versus her own survival. The intensity of the fight underscores the simulation’s power to distort reality and manipulate emotions, leaving her vulnerable and heartbroken.
In a pivotal moment, the protagonist chooses self-sacrifice over violence, handing the gun back to Tobias and pleading for him to recognize her. Her decision reflects her unwavering belief in his inherent goodness, even as he points the gun at her forehead. The act of placing her hand on his chest to feel his heartbeat symbolizes her hope that his true self remains intact. This moment is fraught with tension, as she waits for the inevitable shot, questioning whether her actions can ever be forgiven.
The chapter concludes with the protagonist standing resolute, accepting her potential fate. Her thoughts oscillate between fear and hope, as she recalls her father’s words about the power of self-sacrifice. The emotional weight of the scene lies in her willingness to die rather than harm Tobias, emphasizing the depth of her loyalty and love. The unresolved ending leaves readers questioning whether Tobias will break free from the simulation’s control or if her sacrifice will be in vain.
FAQs
1. What internal conflict does Tris face when confronting Tobias in the simulation, and how does she resolve it?
Answer:
Tris faces a profound moral dilemma when she realizes Tobias is under simulation control and perceives her as an enemy. Despite having a gun, she refuses to shoot him because she believes “he is in there somewhere” and cannot bring herself to harm him. This mirrors her earlier fear landscape experience where she chose self-sacrifice over violence. Her resolution comes when she turns the gun over to Tobias, trusting in his inherent goodness even in a simulated state. This act reflects her father’s belief in “the power of self-sacrifice” and her own moral conviction that some principles (like preserving Tobias’s life) are worth dying for.2. Analyze how Jeanine’s manipulation of the simulation affects Tobias’s behavior and Tris’s emotional response.
Answer:
Jeanine’s simulation warps Tobias’s perception, making him view Tris as a threat—a manifestation of the simulation’s ability to turn “friends into enemies.” His actions (pointing a gun, punching, and nearly killing her) are robotic and detached, contrasting sharply with his usual thoughtful demeanor. Tris’s emotional response progresses from desperation (“Please see me, Tobias!”) to resigned determination. Her tears and physical reactions (shaking hands, throbbing jaw) underscore her vulnerability, while her decision to surrender the gun demonstrates her refusal to compromise her values, even when faced with lethal consequences.3. How does Tris’s fear landscape experience parallel her confrontation with Tobias in this chapter?
Answer:
Both scenarios force Tris to choose between violence and self-sacrifice. In her fear landscape, she faced a similar test: shooting loved ones or dying herself. Here, the simulation recreates that choice—she could shoot Tobias (the “enemy”) or yield control, mirroring her earlier voluntary death. The key difference is the stakes: while the fear landscape was a controlled test, this confrontation is real. Her repetition of the same moral choice (“I can’t kill him”) highlights her consistent character growth and adherence to Abnegation values, even in life-or-death situations.4. Evaluate the significance of Tris’s physical actions (e.g., touching Tobias’s chest) during the confrontation. What do they reveal about her mindset?
Answer:
Tris’s physical gestures—resting her hand on Tobias’s chest to feel his heartbeat, pressing the gun into his palm—symbolize her unwavering faith in his true identity beneath the simulation. The heartbeat represents his enduring humanity, while surrendering the gun signifies her trust in that core self. These actions contrast with their violent struggle earlier, emphasizing her shift from fighting to surrendering. They also reveal her acceptance of potential death; by focusing on his heartbeat rather than the gun barrel, she prioritizes connection over survival, embodying selflessness.5. Critical Thinking: Why might the author have included the line “Can I be forgiven for all I’ve done to get here?” in this scene?
Answer:
This line underscores Tris’s moral reckoning. Her journey has involved violence (killing Will, betraying Dauntless), and now, facing death, she questions whether her sacrifices were justified. The ambiguity (“I don’t know”) reflects her complex growth—she acts decisively but remains haunted by consequences. The plea (“Please.”) suggests a desire for absolution, tying into the chapter’s themes of redemption and sacrifice. By placing this introspection at the climax, the author forces readers to consider whether Tris’s actions (past and present) align with heroism or desperation, deepening the ethical complexity.
Quotes
1. “Jeanine said he didn’t know me. Jeanine also said that the simulation made Tobias’s friends into enemies. He wil shoot me if he has to.”
This quote highlights the central conflict of the chapter—Tris grappling with Tobias being under a simulation’s control, turning him against her. It underscores the heartbreaking reality that the person she trusts most now sees her as a threat.
2. “I can’t beat Tobias in a fight. I know that already. But I have to destroy the computer.”
This moment captures Tris’s desperation and determination. Despite knowing she’s physically outmatched, her mission to stop the simulation overrides self-preservation, showing her courage and prioritization of the greater good.
3. “I can’t kil him. I am not sure if I love him; not sure if that’s why. But I am sure of what he would do if our positions were reversed.”
A pivotal moral dilemma—Tris refuses to harm Tobias, even at the cost of her life. This reflects her core values of sacrifice and empathy, mirroring earlier themes from her fear landscape.
4. “My father says—used to say—that there is power in self-sacrifice.”
This callback to her father’s wisdom frames Tris’s ultimate decision. It ties her choice to surrender the gun to the novel’s recurring theme of redemption through sacrifice.
5. “I reach out and rest my hand on his chest so I can feel his heartbeat. At least his heartbeat is stil him.”
A profoundly intimate moment amid violence. The heartbeat symbolizes hope that Tobias’s true self remains, even as he threatens her life, encapsulating the chapter’s tension between love and survival.