Allegiant
Chapter Four
by Roth, VeronicaIn Chapter Four of *Allegiant*, Tobias reflects on his strained relationship with his mother, Evelyn, as they discuss loyalty and the future of their factionless society. Evelyn, perched nervously on the edge of Jeanine’s old desk, questions Tobias about his allegiance, referencing his past actions with Tris. Tobias, wary of her intentions, carefully navigates the conversation, admitting fear of the outside world while concealing his true feelings. The tension between them is palpable, underscored by Tobias’s memories of his abusive childhood and his mother’s unpredictable nature.
Evelyn reveals the emergence of a rebel group called the Allegiant, who advocate for leaving the city and restoring the faction system. She dismisses their ideals as fear-driven resistance to change, but Tobias privately sympathizes with their defiance. Though he rejects the factions, he recognizes Evelyn’s control over the factionless as equally oppressive. The Allegiant’s manifesto, aligned with the city’s original purpose, sparks a quiet rebellion within him, even as he maintains a neutral facade to avoid suspicion.
The conversation turns darker as Evelyn hints at suppressing the Allegiant, prompting Tobias to fear violent reprisals. When he suggests using simulations, Evelyn reacts with anger, denying any resemblance to the tyrannical Jeanine. Tobias, however, remains skeptical, aware of her willingness to employ extreme measures for control. His internal conflict grows as he debates whether to warn the Allegiant or comply with Evelyn’s demands, knowing her manipulative tendencies all too well.
In the chapter’s closing moments, Tobias volunteers to infiltrate the Allegiant, masking his true intentions beneath a veneer of loyalty. Evelyn’s gratitude feels hollow, a reminder of their fractured trust. As Tobias leaves, he grapples with the weight of his decision, torn between his mother’s ruthless pragmatism and his own desire for genuine freedom. The chapter underscores the moral ambiguity of their post-faction world, where alliances are fragile and trust is a dangerous gamble.
FAQs
1. How does Tobias describe his mother Evelyn’s physical demeanor and what might this suggest about her personality?
Answer:
Tobias describes Evelyn as someone who “always sits on the edges of things” with her “toes balanced on the floor,” suggesting a perpetual state of readiness to flee. He notes she’s “a woman of muscle twisted around bone,” indicating both physical strength and a lean, tense appearance. This description implies Evelyn is guarded, cautious, and possibly traumatized—traits consistent with her history of abuse and survival instincts. Her edge-sitting posture reflects a mindset of constant vigilance, unable to fully relax or trust her surroundings, which aligns with her controlling leadership style later revealed in the chapter.2. What internal conflict does Tobias face regarding the faction system and Evelyn’s rule?
Answer:
Tobias experiences a complex conflict: while he feels liberated by the dismantling of factions (“like a man released from a long imprisonment”), he recognizes Evelyn hasn’t truly granted freedom—she’s merely replaced factions with uniform factionless control. Though he doesn’t want factions reinstated, he’s secretly relieved by the Allegiant’s rebellion because it challenges Evelyn’s authoritarian rule. This reveals his struggle between valuing personal freedom and resisting his mother’s oppressive methods, complicated by their fraught relationship and his need to conceal his true feelings from her.3. Analyze the significance of Tobias’s lie about breaking up with Tris and how it impacts his dynamic with Evelyn.
Answer:
Tobias lied about ending his relationship with Tris to gain Evelyn’s trust, a strategic move that succeeded (“she has been warmer, more open”). This deception is significant because it demonstrates his growing willingness to manipulate his mother, mirroring her own manipulative tendencies. However, the chapter reveals his discomfort with lying (“I’m not a good liar”), showing moral tension. The lie creates a false bond between them, allowing Tobias insider information (like the Allegiant threat) while maintaining his secret alliance with Tris—a precarious balance that could collapse if discovered.4. How does the chapter use the concept of “control” to contrast Evelyn with Jeanine Matthews?
Answer:
When Evelyn mentions “control,” Tobias immediately associates it with Jeanine’s brutal methods (“needles and serums… simulations”). Evelyn vehemently rejects this comparison (“I am not Jeanine Matthews!”), claiming she’d “never resort to simulations.” However, Tobias suspects she might use equally extreme measures like executions (“killing people would certainly keep them quiet”). This contrast is ironic—while Evelyn positions herself as Jeanine’s opposite, her willingness to suppress dissent through force suggests she shares Jeanine’s authoritarian impulses, just with different tactics.5. What symbolic meaning might the “Allegiant” group’s name carry in the context of the chapter’s themes?
Answer:
The name “Allegiant” (meaning “allied with the original purpose”) symbolizes ideological purity and resistance to change. By advocating for a return to factions and the city’s initial mission, they represent traditionalism versus Evelyn’s forced unity. The name also ironically mirrors Tobias’s secret allegiance—while he claims loyalty to Evelyn, his true alliance lies with principles of freedom. This duality reflects the chapter’s broader theme of conflicting loyalties: to family, to ideals, and to the past versus the future.
Quotes
1. “She is a woman of muscle twisted around bone.”
This vivid description of Evelyn captures both her physical strength and the psychological tension that defines her character. It sets the tone for their strained mother-son dynamic and hints at the resilience forged through hardship.
2. “With the factions dismantled, part of me has felt like a man released from a long imprisonment… But Evelyn hasn’t liberated us like she thinks—she’s just made us all factionless.”
This quote reveals Tobias’s complex perspective on the post-faction world, contrasting his personal freedom with Evelyn’s authoritarian control. It encapsulates the central conflict between true liberation and oppressive rule.
3. “She’s afraid of what we would choose, if we were given actual freedom.”
This sharp observation about Evelyn’s motivations exposes her hypocrisy in claiming to create a free society while actually maintaining tight control. It foreshadows the growing resistance movement (the Allegiant) that forms in response to her regime.
4. “I know what my mother is—she is someone for whom the end of a thing justifies the means of getting there, the same as my father, and the same, sometimes, as me.”
This self-aware reflection shows Tobias recognizing his family’s dangerous pattern of ruthless pragmatism. The comparison between all three characters highlights the cycle of violence and manipulation that Tobias struggles to break.
5. “Death would be better [than using simulations].”
Evelyn’s vehement rejection of simulations establishes an important moral boundary while simultaneously hinting at her willingness to use other extreme measures. This moment creates tension about what methods she might employ against the Allegiant.