
Allegiant
Chapter Seven
by Roth, VeronicaTris and Christina walk toward the Hancock building, their clothes still stained with Edward’s blood, reflecting on the high mortality rate among their fellow transfer initiates. Christina clutches a piece of coal from the Dauntless Choosing Ceremony, a grim reminder of their past. Tris struggles to process Edward’s death, recalling his talent and the violence that marked their time in Dauntless. Their conversation shifts to the few surviving initiates, including Myra, whose whereabouts remain unknown, highlighting the fragility of their lives and the bonds formed during their initiation.
As they enter the Hancock building, Tris and Christina discuss their uncertain future. Christina admits to understanding Evelyn’s desire to stay and rebuild their fractured society, yet she feels compelled to leave out of curiosity. Tris, who lacks family ties, contrasts with Christina, whose parents prioritize her sister’s safety but support her pursuit of an honest life. Their dialogue underscores the tension between safety and the unknown, as well as the personal stakes of their decisions.
On the rooftop, Tris, Christina, Uriah, and Zeke gaze at the darkened landscape beyond the city, speculating about what lies ahead. Uriah clings to hope for something new, while Zeke suggests the possibility of an empty world. Tris firmly asserts that they must venture out regardless of the risks, emphasizing the need to confront the truth. The group’s silence and shared uncertainty reflect their collective anxiety and determination as they stand on the precipice of change.
The chapter concludes with Evelyn addressing a crowd at Erudite headquarters, announcing stricter rules in the wake of recent violence. Factionless soldiers maintain order, symbolizing the oppressive control now governing their society. This scene contrasts with the rooftop moment, underscoring the tension between the characters’ desire for freedom and the harsh reality of their constrained world. The chapter leaves readers questioning what lies beyond the city and whether Tris and her friends will find answers or further chaos.
FAQs
1. Comprehension Question
What significant event does Christina reflect on regarding the transfer initiates, and what does this reveal about the dangers of their world?
Answer:
Christina reflects that of the ten transfer initiates they started with, only six remain alive. This stark statistic highlights the extreme dangers and high mortality rate within their faction system. The recent death of Edward—once the most talented transfer—particularly underscores how even the most skilled individuals aren’t safe. This moment also reveals the emotional toll on survivors, as Tris notes Edward’s blood is still smeared on their clothes, symbolizing how trauma lingers in their daily lives.2. Analytical Question
How does the setting of the Hancock building roof serve as a metaphor for the characters’ uncertainties about the future?
Answer:
The rooftop scene symbolizes the characters’ liminal state between their known world and the unknown beyond. The darkness covering the land represents their fear of the unfamiliar, while the fleeting “glimmer of light” suggests fragile hope. Their speculation about whether the outside world holds “more factions” or “nothing” mirrors their internal conflict—whether to seek change or accept stagnation. The height of the building physically places them at a vantage point, paralleling their emotional and intellectual grappling with big questions about their society’s purpose and what lies beyond.3. Critical Thinking Question
Contrast Christina’s and Tris’s motivations for leaving the city. What do their differing perspectives reveal about their characters?
Answer:
Christina admits her desire to leave stems from curiosity and an inability to live “an honest life” in the current fractured society, acknowledging some sympathy for Evelyn’s stance on staying to rebuild. This shows her pragmatic yet morally driven nature. Tris, however, insists they must leave regardless of what’s outside, demonstrating her decisive, action-oriented mindset. Their contrast highlights Tris’s unwavering determination versus Christina’s more nuanced weighing of risks and ethics. Both reject stagnation but represent different facets of resistance: one driven by principle, the other by necessity.4. Application Question
How might Evelyn’s new rules (hinted at in the chapter’s closing lines) impact the factions, based on the tensions already established?
Answer:
Evelyn’s declaration that “we are no longer able to trust each other” suggests authoritarian measures to suppress dissent, likely escalating existing conflicts. Given the factionless soldiers’ armed presence and the destruction of Jeanine’s portrait (a symbol of Erudite authority), these rules may enforce factionless dominance over former factions. This could radicalize groups like Dauntless, who value freedom, and further marginalize others. The scene implies a shift from Jeanine’s intellectual tyranny to Evelyn’s militarized control, potentially worsening the cycle of violence the characters hope to escape by leaving.
Quotes
1. “That of the ten transfer initiates we started with, only six are still alive.”
This quote from Christina highlights the brutal reality of their world and the high mortality rate among their peers. It sets a somber tone for the chapter and underscores the constant presence of death in their lives.
2. “Sometimes I get where Evelyn’s coming from. So many awful things have happened, sometimes it feels like a good idea to stay here and just … try to clean up this mess before we get ourselves involved in another.”
Christina’s internal conflict reflects the broader tension between staying to rebuild their fractured society versus venturing into the unknown. This captures a key thematic dilemma of the chapter.
3. “They just want me to live an honest life, you know? And I can’t do that here. I just know that I can’t.”
This powerful statement reveals Christina’s personal motivation for leaving, tying into the book’s larger themes of truth and self-determination. It shows how the characters are grappling with their identities beyond the faction system.
4. “What do you think’s out there?” / “There has to be something else.” / “Or there’s nothing.”
This exchange between Uriah, Christina, and Zeke encapsulates the central mystery driving the characters forward. Their speculation about the world beyond their city represents both hope and existential dread, key emotional undercurrents of the chapter.
5. “It doesn’t matter what’s out there, we have to see it for ourselves. And then we’ll deal with it once we have.”
Tris’s decisive statement serves as a turning point in the chapter, demonstrating her leadership and resolve. This quote represents the characters’ determination to face the unknown, regardless of the potential dangers.