Allegiant
Chapter Fifteen
by Roth, VeronicaIn Chapter Fifteen of *Allegiant*, Tris confronts a moment of emotional reckoning as she meets David, the leader of the Bureau of Genetic Welfare. Holding a photograph of her mother and David, she grapples with the absence of her loved ones, realizing they are likely dead. David begins to unravel the truth behind Edith Prior’s message, revealing that the information given to Tris and her peers was deliberately incomplete and misleading. The chapter sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the Bureau’s experiments, as Tris and her companions brace for unsettling revelations about their world.
David explains that the Bureau’s experiments stem from a centuries-old government initiative to manipulate human genetics, aiming to eliminate undesirable traits like violence and dishonesty. He describes how this effort backfired, resulting in “damaged genes” that exacerbated societal flaws rather than correcting them. Tris reflects on how this mirrors the faction system’s philosophy, where each group’s strengths come with corresponding weaknesses. The narrative underscores the theme of unintended consequences, as David’s exposition hints at the catastrophic Purity War, a civil conflict sparked by these genetic manipulations.
The chapter delves into the ethical and practical failures of the genetic experiment. David reveals that altering traits like fear or aggression inadvertently stripped people of compassion or motivation, creating a society more fractured than before. Tris recognizes the parallels to her own experiences within the factions, where Dauntless bravery breeds cruelty, and Erudite intelligence fosters vanity. The discussion highlights the complexity of human nature, challenging the simplistic notion that virtues can be isolated or perfected without cost.
As David recounts the devastating Purity War—a conflict between those with “damaged” and “pure” genes—the scale of the Bureau’s miscalculations becomes clear. The war decimated half the population, leaving a legacy of destruction and mistrust. Tris and her friends react with a mix of skepticism, anger, and hunger for answers, their expressions mirroring the chapter’s tension between revelation and disillusionment. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, poised to explore the personal and societal ramifications of these revelations, as Tris and her peers confront the unsettling truth about their identities and the world beyond the factions.
FAQs
1. What was the original purpose of the genetic manipulation experiment described by David, and how did it go wrong?
Answer:
The original purpose of the genetic manipulation experiment was to enforce desirable behaviors in citizens by correcting genetic predispositions toward negative traits like violence, cowardice, dishonesty, and low intelligence. The government believed this would create a better society. However, the experiment backfired because altering these genes resulted in damaged genes instead of corrected ones. Removing negative traits also removed positive ones—for example, eliminating fear reduced compassion, and removing aggression diminished motivation. This led to disastrous consequences, including the Purity War, where those with damaged genes revolted against the government and pure-gene individuals, causing massive destruction.2. How does David’s explanation of genetic manipulation connect to the faction system in Tris’s society?
Answer:
David’s explanation reveals that the faction system was an indirect result of the failed genetic experiment. The factions were formed to address the same “flawed natures” that the genetic manipulation aimed to fix. Each faction emphasized a specific virtue (e.g., Dauntless for bravery, Erudite for intelligence), but this specialization came at a cost—losing other qualities. For instance, the Dauntless became cruel alongside their bravery, and the Erudite grew vain with their intelligence. This mirrors David’s point that altering genes to remove “undesirable” traits unintentionally stripped away positive attributes, creating unbalanced personalities and societal divisions.3. Why does Tris feel that David’s revelations are both familiar and unsettling?
Answer:
Tris finds David’s explanation familiar because it aligns with the faction philosophy she was raised with: that human nature is flawed and must be controlled. However, it’s unsettling because it exposes the factions as part of a larger, manipulated system—one that was never truly about choice but about correcting genetic damage. She also realizes that her society’s structure was an experiment, making her question the authenticity of her identity and experiences. Additionally, the photograph of David with her mother confirms her fears that her family and friends are likely dead, deepening her sense of betrayal and loss.4. What critical flaw in the genetic experiment does David highlight, and what broader lesson does this suggest about human nature?
Answer:
David highlights that the experiment failed because it assumed traits could be isolated and removed without unintended consequences. The critical flaw was underestimating the complexity of human nature—traits like aggression or selfishness are intertwined with motivation or self-preservation. This suggests that human qualities cannot be neatly categorized as purely “good” or “bad”; they exist in balance. The broader lesson is that attempts to engineer perfection often ignore the nuances of humanity, leading to unintended harm. The experiment’s failure underscores the dangers of reducing human behavior to simple genetic fixes.5. How do the reactions of Tris’s group (e.g., Peter, Caleb, Cara) to David’s speech reflect their personalities and prior experiences?
Answer:
The group’s reactions mirror their faction backgrounds and personal traits. Peter’s disdain aligns with his cynical, self-serving nature (a former Dauntless). Caleb’s scowl suggests his Erudite skepticism and discomfort with being misled. Cara’s open-mouthed hunger for answers reflects her Erudite curiosity. Christina’s raised eyebrow shows her Candor-trained skepticism, while Tobias’s avoidance (staring at his shoes) hints at his Divergent resistance to being controlled. These reactions emphasize how deeply their faction upbringings shape their responses to truth and authority, even outside their society.
Quotes
1. “The first thing you should know is that the information Edith Prior gave you is only partly true… She provided only as much information as you needed to meet the goals of our experiments. And in many cases, that meant oversimplifying, omitting, and even outright falsehood.”
This revelation from David shatters the foundation of Tris’s understanding, revealing that the faction system’s origins were deliberately manipulated. It introduces the chapter’s central theme of deception and controlled narratives.
2. “A few centuries ago, the government of this country became interested in enforcing certain desirable behaviors in its citizens… by editing humanity.”
David’s explanation of genetic manipulation experiments provides crucial backstory about the dystopian world’s creation. This quote encapsulates the hubris of scientific social engineering that led to the society’s collapse.
3. “Take away someone’s fear, or low intelligence, or dishonesty… and you take away their compassion. Take away someone’s aggression and you take away their motivation… Take away their selfishness and you take away their sense of self-preservation.”
This profound insight about unintended consequences of genetic engineering mirrors the faction system’s flaws. The quote powerfully demonstrates how attempts to perfect humanity often destroy essential human complexities.
4. “Humanity has never been perfect, but the genetic alterations made it worse than it had ever been before. This manifested itself in what we call the Purity War.”
David’s description of the catastrophic Purity War serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of genetic determinism. The quote marks a turning point in the chapter’s historical exposition, showing how good intentions led to societal collapse.