Allegiant
Chapter Fifty-One
by Roth, VeronicaTobias and Evelyn stand by a snow-covered window, sharing a moment of quiet reflection as Tobias feels a sense of renewal. Evelyn proposes contacting Marcus to negotiate peace, but Tobias insists on fulfilling a promise first. He grapples with guilt over his initial plan to use memory serum on Evelyn, realizing it would have harmed rather than saved her. This moment underscores the theme of difficult choices and the importance of protecting loved ones, even when the path isn’t clear.
Tobias confronts Peter, who has chosen to erase his memories rather than face the challenge of changing his life. Their conversation reveals Peter’s fear of failure and Tobias’s understanding of self-doubt. As Peter drinks the serum, Tobias watches him transform into a blank slate, symbolizing both loss and potential. The scene highlights the novel’s exploration of identity, redemption, and the weight of past actions.
After the serum takes effect, Tobias, Evelyn, and the now-disoriented Peter head to meet Marcus and Johanna for peace talks. The snowy setting mirrors the tension as both parties arrive armed, distrust lingering between them. Tobias notices Marcus’s hardened demeanor and Johanna’s unexpected weapon, signaling the complexity of their motives. The encounter sets the stage for a fragile negotiation, with Tobias caught between his past and his hope for reconciliation.
The chapter culminates in a tense standoff, with Marcus aiming his gun at Evelyn and Tobias reciprocating to protect her. Johanna’s presence adds another layer, as her pacifist ideals clash with the reality of conflict. Tobias’s internal conflict—balancing his loyalty to Evelyn with his desire for peace—reflects the broader struggle in the novel. The scene leaves readers questioning whether trust can overcome deep-seated divisions, setting up the emotional stakes for the story’s resolution.
FAQs
1. What significant decision does Tobias make regarding Evelyn and the memory serum, and what does this reveal about his character development?
Answer:
Tobias decides not to use the memory serum on Evelyn, despite originally planning to reset her memories to force peace. This pivotal choice demonstrates his moral growth and understanding that true change must come voluntarily rather than through coercion. He recognizes that using the serum would “destroy” rather than save Evelyn (as Tris had advised him about choosing options that protect loved ones). This moment shows Tobias moving beyond his instinct for control—a trait learned from his abusive father—toward respecting others’ autonomy, even when it risks his desired outcome.2. Analyze Peter’s decision to take the memory serum. How does the chapter explore the themes of identity and redemption through his choice?
Answer:
Peter chooses complete memory erasure, refusing even to retain core facts about himself, signaling his belief that his identity is irredeemable. The chapter delves into the psychology of self-perception through Tobias’s reflection: Peter fears failing at the slow work of change (“squandering days” of effort) more than oblivion. His trembling hands and final toast-like gesture underscore the gravity of his surrender. The transformation is stark—post-serum Peter exhibits childlike innocence, making Tobias see him anew. This raises questions about whether identity is rooted in past actions or present consciousness, and whether true redemption requires forgetting.3. How does the snowy setting function symbolically in this chapter, particularly during key moments of decision-making?
Answer:
The snow operates as a multilayered symbol. Initially, it mirrors Tobias’s emotional thaw as he abandons his harsh plan (“the feeling has returned to my hands… everything has begun again”). The pristine whiteness contrasts with Peter’s morally stained past, suggesting a clean slate after the serum. Later, the “squeaking” snow underfoot during the tense walk to meet Marcus reflects the precariousness of their peace mission. Finally, the moonlit snow on Johanna’s coat blends purity (Amity’s ideals) with the “dust” of compromise (her hidden gun), mirroring the chapter’s central tension between idealism and pragmatism.4. Evaluate the significance of the final meeting scene between Evelyn, Tobias, Marcus, and Johanna. What does their armed negotiation suggest about the cycle of conflict?
Answer:
The standoff—with guns pointed even during peace talks—epitomizes the entrenched distrust plaguing their society. Marcus’s immediate weapon focus on Evelyn mirrors her earlier authoritarian tactics, showing how power struggles perpetuate themselves. Johanna’s concealed gun (“difficult measures to ensure peace”) parallels Tobias’s earlier moral dilemma, highlighting how even principled leaders resort to force. Tobias’s dual position (aiming a gun at his father while mediating) encapsulates the chapter’s core tension: the need to protect others while breaking cycles of violence. The scene questions whether true reconciliation is possible when all parties equate security with armed dominance.
Quotes
1. “I guess Tris was right—when you have to choose between two bad options, you pick the one that saves the people you love.”
This quote represents a pivotal moral realization for Tobias, reflecting on Tris’s wisdom and his own difficult decision regarding Evelyn. It encapsulates the chapter’s theme of sacrificial love and ethical dilemmas in conflict situations.
2. “I know that change is difficult, and comes slowly, and that it is the work of many days strung together in a long line until the origin of them is forgotten.”
This insightful observation about personal growth and transformation explains Tobias’s understanding of Peter’s reluctance to change. It highlights the novel’s recurring theme of redemption and the challenges of self-reinvention.
3. “I thought that when I looked at him after he drank the serum, I would still see the initiate who shoved a butter knife into Edward’s eye… But it’s easier than I thought to see that he has no idea who he is anymore.”
This powerful moment captures the transformation of Peter through the memory serum, showing Tobias’s surprising capacity for forgiveness. It represents a key turning point in their relationship and the chapter’s exploration of identity.
4. “Sometimes you have to take difficult measures to ensure peace… I believe you agree with that, as a principle.”
Johanna’s statement to Tobias reflects the moral complexity of leadership during conflict, mirroring the difficult choices all characters face. This quote encapsulates the chapter’s central tension between ideals and practical action.
5. “We’re not here to chat… You said you wanted to talk about a treaty.”
Marcus’s blunt interruption sets the tense stage for the peace negotiations, showing the fragile nature of the truce. This quote represents the chapter’s shift from personal reflections to political action.