Allegiant
Chapter Forty-Seven
by Roth, VeronicaTris, Caleb, and Matthew navigate a tense and crowded hallway, their mission to reach the Weapons Lab fraught with anxiety. Tris feels the weight of the explosives in Caleb’s backpack and the concealed gun against her back, aware that their plan is unraveling as the lights remain on—a sign that Cara’s part of the mission has failed. Tris devises a quick solution: splitting up and having Matthew create a diversion by firing his gun into the air. The chaos that ensues allows Tris and Caleb to slip away unnoticed, though the pressure mounts as security guards swarm the area.
As they sprint toward their destination, Tris’s Dauntless training sharpens her focus, but Caleb’s fear is palpable. The siblings navigate the labyrinthine corridors, their progress marked by a mix of determination and dread. Tris’s confidence surges when they reach a familiar empty hallway, but their hope is short-lived as security guards catch up, shouting threats. Faced with imminent capture, Tris and Caleb raise their hands, but Tris’s mind races with memories of their shared past, reminding her of the deep bond they share despite their conflicts.
In a moment of clarity, Tris realizes her identity is rooted in love and loyalty, not factions or labels. She resolves to protect Caleb, recalling her promise never to deliver him to his execution. With a calculated gamble, she points her gun at him, demanding the backpack containing the explosives. Though shocked, Caleb complies, understanding her intent. Tris declares him her hostage to the guards, buying herself time. Their emotional exchange—expressing love and regret—underscores the gravity of her sacrifice.
Tris fires at a guard to create an opening, then sprints away under a hail of gunfire. Her thoughts turn to Tobias as she flees, determined to survive but prepared for the worst. The chapter ends with Tris’s desperate escape, leaving Caleb behind and the outcome of her mission uncertain. Her actions reflect both her courage and her unwavering commitment to those she loves, even at great personal cost.
FAQs
1. What is Tris’s plan to reach the Weapons Lab, and how does it demonstrate her strategic thinking?
Answer:
Tris’s plan involves splitting up the group: she and Caleb would run directly to the lab while Matthew creates a diversion by firing his gun into the air. This strategy demonstrates her tactical Dauntless training and quick thinking under pressure. By causing chaos elsewhere, she redirects security attention away from their true objective. The text shows her awareness of their surroundings (“security guards run past us without noticing”) and her ability to adapt when initial plans fail (“I think something must have happened to Cara…I had hoped I wouldn’t have to use [the gun]”).2. How does the chapter portray the evolution of Tris’s relationship with Caleb?
Answer:
The chapter shows a profound reconciliation between Tris and Caleb. Initially, Tris remembers Caleb’s betrayal (“the cowardly young man who sold me out”), but in this critical moment, she chooses to see his positive qualities (“smart and enthusiastic and observant”). Her decision to sacrifice herself instead of him (“I would never deliver you to your own execution”) demonstrates unconditional love. Their emotional exchange (“I love you, too, Beatrice”) using his childhood name for her signifies healing. This contrasts with earlier distrust, showing Tris’s capacity for forgiveness and her realization that familial bonds transcend past conflicts.3. Analyze how Tris’s identity is expressed through her final actions in this chapter.
Answer:
Tris’s climactic decision embodies her self-concept: “I belong to the people I love…form my identity far more than any word or group ever could.” Rejecting faction labels (Abnegation/Dauntless/Divergent), she defines herself through relationships and moral choices. Her sacrifice for Caleb actualizes this philosophy, mirroring her mother’s earlier sacrifice. The gun exchange scene physically manifests her values—choosing love over survival, protection over vengeance. Her instruction to Caleb (“tell Tobias I didn’t want to leave him”) further emphasizes that her identity remains rooted in these connections until the end.4. What literary techniques does the author use to build tension in the escape sequence?
Answer:
The author employs several tension-building devices:- Pacing: Short sentences (“Stop!” “Stop or we’ll shoot!”) accelerate urgency
- Sensory details: “Screams and shattering glass” create auditory chaos
- Physical descriptions: Caleb’s “quaking with terror” contrasts Tris’s “deeper, more even” breathing
- Time manipulation: “Everything slowing down inside me” during the gun confrontation creates dramatic focus
- Mirroring: The mirrored ceiling reflects their precarious situation visually
These techniques immerse readers in the characters’ adrenaline-fueled experience while foreshadowing the impending sacrifice.
5. How does this chapter’s events reflect the broader themes of the Divergent series?
Answer:
This scene crystallizes three core series themes:- Sacrifice: Tris’s choice echoes prior generational sacrifices (her parents), showing how love demands selflessness
- Identity beyond factions: Her realization that “no word or group” defines her challenges the series’ central social structure
- Moral ambiguity: The justified violence (firing at guards) contrasts with merciful deception (hostage pretense), illustrating complex ethics in rebellion.
Additionally, Tris’s serum resistance (“I’m good at fighting off serums”) ties back to her Divergence, while her final sprint leaves readers questioning survival—a hallmark of the series’ willingness to subvert expectations for thematic impact.
- Pacing: Short sentences (“Stop!” “Stop or we’ll shoot!”) accelerate urgency
Quotes
1. “Sometimes all I want is to be a few inches taller so the world does not look like a dense collection of torsos.”
This quote captures Tris’s vulnerability and physical limitations in a tense situation, highlighting her human perspective amid the chaos. It grounds the high-stakes narrative in relatable emotion.
2. “I belong to the people I love, and they belong to me—they, and the love and loyalty I give them, form my identity far more than any word or group ever could.”
A pivotal moment where Tris redefines her sense of self beyond factions or labels. This represents the chapter’s thematic core about chosen family and personal identity overriding societal categories.
3. “I would never deliver you to your own execution.”
A powerful callback to an earlier promise that now drives Tris’s sacrificial decision. This quote encapsulates her moral code and the heartbreaking choice she makes to protect Caleb despite their complicated history.
4. “I love my brother. I love him, and he is quaking with terror at the thought of death.”
This raw admission shows Tris’s capacity for forgiveness and compassion. It marks a turning point where she chooses love over past betrayals, humanizing both characters in their final moments together.
5. “If I don’t survive, tell Tobias I didn’t want to leave him.”
Tris’s last words to Caleb carry emotional weight as both a personal confession and narrative foreshadowing. This brief plea underscores the depth of her relationship with Tobias amid her self-sacrificial act.