Allegiant
Chapter Fifty-Five
by Roth, VeronicaThe chapter follows Tobias as he navigates overwhelming grief and isolation in the aftermath of a traumatic event. He wanders the compound, observing others recovering from the memory serum that altered their minds. While the affected are told a mix of truth and lies about their past, Tobias struggles with conflicting emotions—feeling suffocated by others yet crippled by loneliness when alone. His grief manifests in restless movement, as he avoids sleep and fixates on mundane details like footsteps or tile cracks, trying to distract himself from his pain.
Tobias encounters Caleb, who delivers a painful message from the person they both lost: she didn’t want to leave Tobias. This revelation stirs anger rather than comfort, as Tobias wrestles with the unfairness of her sacrifice for someone he deems unworthy. The interaction leaves him raw and emotionally distant, unable to process his feelings fully. Meanwhile, he observes a group dismantling a symbolic sculpture, its removal marking the end of an era, further emphasizing the theme of irreversible change.
Cara joins Tobias in silent companionship, offering unspoken support as they watch the sculpture being taken apart. Their quiet solidarity provides a brief respite from his turmoil. However, the moment is interrupted when Christina arrives, announcing that Uriah’s life support is being withdrawn. Tobias, though exhausted and emotionally numb, forces himself to face yet another loss, heading to the hospital with Christina and Cara.
At the hospital, Tobias avoids comfort, rejecting Evelyn’s attempt to console him. The chapter closes with the group preparing to witness Uriah’s final moments, underscoring the relentless weight of grief and mortality. Tobias’s emotional detachment and physical exhaustion reflect his struggle to cope with cumulative losses, leaving him isolated even among those who share his pain.
FAQs
1. How does Tris’s death continue to affect Tobias in this chapter, and how does he cope with his grief?
Answer:
Tobias is deeply affected by Tris’s death, experiencing intense grief that manifests in both emotional numbness and physical agitation. He copes by constantly moving through the compound halls rather than sleeping, as stillness seems unbearable. The chapter shows his internal conflict—he feels stifled by others yet crippled by loneliness when alone. His grief is compounded by anger, particularly toward Caleb, whom he blames for Tris’s sacrifice. Tobias tries to suppress his emotions, fearing that if he starts crying, he won’t be able to stop, indicating his struggle to process the loss (e.g., “I grind the heels of my hands into my eyes like I can push my tears back into my skull”).2. What is the significance of the water tank sculpture scene, and how does it reflect the broader themes of change in the chapter?
Answer:
The water tank sculpture symbolizes gradual change, as Cara explains to Peter. Its dismantling represents the abrupt shifts occurring in their society post-memory serum. Reggie opening the valve, causing water to gush out, mirrors the sudden release of suppressed truths and emotions among the characters. This parallels Tobias’s emotional state—controlled on the surface but full of turmoil underneath. The scene also reflects the larger narrative of transformation, as the characters grapple with new realities (e.g., the “lie” about the memory serum accident) and the collapse of old systems, both physical and ideological.3. Analyze the confrontation between Tobias and Caleb. What does this interaction reveal about their characters and their relationships with Tris?
Answer:
The confrontation highlights Tobias’s unresolved anger and Caleb’s guilt over Tris’s death. Tobias resents Caleb for surviving when Tris didn’t, questioning why she valued Caleb’s life over her own (“Why didn’t she let you die?”). Caleb, though grieving, demonstrates self-awareness about his unworthiness (“I have no idea why [she loved me]”). Their interaction reveals Tris’s compassion—her last message (“she didn’t want to leave you”) shows her concern for Tobias’s feelings even in death. The tension underscores their contrasting relationships with Tris: Tobias’s love was reciprocated but cut short, while Caleb’s was rooted in familial loyalty that he doesn’t fully understand.4. How does the chapter portray the aftermath of the memory serum’s use, and what ethical dilemmas does this raise?
Answer:
The chapter shows groups being given a manipulated version of the truth—that their memories were erased due to an “accident” and that they were advocating for GD equality. This fabricated narrative raises ethical questions about consent and manipulation, as the characters’ autonomy is further compromised even during their “recovery.” The aftermath also depicts emotional distance and disorientation among those affected, as seen in Peter’s confusion and Cara’s patient explanations. This reflects broader themes about the morality of controlling human behavior, even for ostensibly positive goals like equality, and the psychological costs of such interventions.5. What role does silence play in this chapter, particularly in Tobias’s interactions with Cara and Christina?
Answer:
Silence serves as both a refuge and a manifestation of grief. When Cara sits with Tobias without speaking (“the quiet is nice”), their shared silence becomes a space of mutual understanding, contrasting with Tobias’s earlier isolation. Later, the unspoken connection between Tobias and Christina as they walk to Uriah’s deathbed (“our thoughts are the same”) shows how silence can communicate more than words during profound loss. These moments highlight how grief transcends language—Tobias rejects verbal comfort (e.g., pulling away from Evelyn) but finds solace in silent companionship, suggesting that some emotions are too deep for speech.
Quotes
1. “I watch everyone else recover from the memory serum that altered them permanently as if from a great distance.”
This quote captures the protagonist’s profound sense of dissociation and grief, showing how trauma has created emotional distance between him and others. It introduces the chapter’s theme of isolation amidst collective recovery.
2. “They are also given the lie: that their memories were erased because of a freak accident, and that they were on the verge of lobbying the government for equality for GDs.”
This reveals the political manipulation continuing in the aftermath, showing how truth is being rewritten for social control. It represents the chapter’s exploration of deception versus reality.
3. “She told me that if she didn’t survive, I should tell you… That she didn’t want to leave you.”
These final words from a deceased loved one (implied to be Tris) carry immense emotional weight, representing both closure and unresolved grief. The quote anchors the chapter’s central theme of loss and love’s enduring presence.
4. “I know why she wanted to tell me that she didn’t want to leave me. She wanted me to know that this was not another Erudite headquarters, not a lie told to make me sleep while she went to die.”
This insight reveals the protagonist’s understanding of his partner’s sacrificial love while still struggling with anger. It shows the complex interplay between love, sacrifice, and grief.
5. “I haven’t slept in days but I don’t feel tired, not in the way I normally do, though my body aches as I walk.”
This physical manifestation of grief perfectly captures the chapter’s exploration of loss - showing how emotional pain transcends normal bodily limits. It represents the chapter’s visceral portrayal of mourning.