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    Allegiant

    by Roth, Veronica
    “Allegiant” by Veronica Roth is the final installment in the dystopian Divergent trilogy. The story follows Tris Prior and Tobias Eaton as they venture beyond the confines of their fractured city, uncovering a shocking truth: their society is an experiment designed to repair damaged genetic traits. The novel explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the consequences of rebellion as Tris and Tobias confront a new conflict between the genetically “pure” (Divergent) and “damaged” individuals. The dual-perspective narrative deepens character development, culminating in a tragic yet thematically resonant conclusion that challenges notions of freedom and human nature. Roth’s world-building expands significantly, revealing the broader scope of the series’ dystopian setting.
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    Allegiant

    Chapter Three

    by Roth, Veronica

    Tris, under the influ­ence of truth serum, faces inter­ro­ga­tion by Eve­lyn John­son in Eru­dite head­quar­ters. Accused of being a trai­tor for defy­ing fac­tion lead­ers and attempt­ing to stop Mar­cus from killing Jea­nine Matthews, Tris defends her actions by claim­ing she believed Mar­cus was act­ing under fac­tion­less orders. Despite the serum’s effects, she skill­ful­ly lies, assert­ing her inabil­i­ty to hold a gun due to trau­ma from killing her friend Will. Eve­lyn remains skep­ti­cal, mock­ing Tris’s deci­sions and rein­forc­ing her con­trol over the city with armed fac­tion­less patrols.

    The ten­sion esca­lates as Tris chal­lenges Eve­lyn’s author­i­ty, accus­ing her of inac­tion and hypocrisy. Eve­lyn, unmoved, leans in to threat­en Tris, declar­ing her inten­tion to cre­ate a new world where Tris and Tobias have no place. Tris, how­ev­er, finds solace in know­ing Tobias is his own per­son, not bound by his moth­er’s expec­ta­tions. The inter­ro­ga­tion con­cludes with Eve­lyn dis­miss­ing Tris, con­ced­ing she is no trai­tor but a fool, while Tris demands the release of her friends Christi­na and Cara.

    After the tri­al, Uri­ah assists a weak­ened Tris out of the room, where she ques­tions whether her out­burst was too extreme. Uri­ah reas­sures her, not­ing Eve­lyn would expect such behav­ior. Tris feels a surge of antic­i­pa­tion for her new­found free­dom and the plan to escape the city. The chap­ter high­lights her resilience and strate­gic think­ing under pres­sure, as well as the oppres­sive regime Eve­lyn has estab­lished, blend­ing fac­tions and enforc­ing strict con­trols.

    The chap­ter under­scores the shift­ing pow­er dynam­ics in the city, from Jea­nine’s rule to Eve­lyn’s fac­tion­less tyran­ny. Tris’s defi­ance and abil­i­ty to manip­u­late the truth serum reveal her growth and deter­mi­na­tion to resist oppres­sion. Mean­while, Eve­lyn’s cold demeanor and threats empha­size her ruth­less ambi­tion. The stage is set for Tris’s next moves, as she and her allies pre­pare to chal­lenge the fac­tion­less regime and seek a way beyond the city’s con­fines.

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    FAQs

    • 1. Comprehension Question

      What is the significance of Tris being under truth serum during her interrogation, and how does she manage to lie despite its effects?
      Answer:
      The truth serum is meant to force complete honesty, making Tris’s ability to lie particularly remarkable. The chapter reveals that Tris has developed the skill to “push the weight of the truth serum aside in her mind,” suggesting exceptional mental discipline. This ability is crucial because it allows her to conceal her true motives from Evelyn Johnson. Tris lies by claiming she believed Marcus was acting under factionless orders and that she couldn’t handle guns due to trauma from killing Will. Her acting skills, honed through practice with deception, enable her to manipulate the interrogation’s outcome.

      2. Analytical Question

      How does Evelyn Johnson’s leadership style compare to Jeanine Matthews’s, based on Tris’s observation that they’ve moved “from one tyrant to another”?
      Answer:
      Tris’s comment highlights that while Evelyn presents herself as a liberator for the factionless, she employs similar authoritarian tactics as Jeanine. Evelyn maintains control through armed factionless patrols and imposes strict rules, such as forcing former faction members to mix clothing and living arrangements. Like Jeanine, she uses intimidation (the public interrogation) and centralized power (holding trials at Erudite headquarters). However, Evelyn’s rhetoric focuses on creating a “new world,” whereas Jeanine justified her rule through Erudite intellectual superiority. Both leaders suppress dissent, but Evelyn’s background as former Abnegation adds a layer of hypocrisy to her oppressive methods.

      3. Critical Thinking Question

      Why does Tris’s outburst about Evelyn “sitting on this mess you made, pretending it’s a throne” risk her safety, and what does it reveal about her character?
      Answer:
      Tris’s outburst is dangerous because it directly challenges Evelyn’s authority in front of a crowd, which could provoke harsher punishment. However, it also serves a strategic purpose: by aligning with her established “hotheaded” reputation (as Uriah notes), it makes her lies more believable. The moment underscores Tris’s bravery and refusal to be silenced, even under truth serum. It also reflects her growing political awareness—she recognizes Evelyn’s rule as another flawed system, not true liberation. This defiance foreshadows her likely role in resisting Evelyn’s regime later in the story.

      4. Application Question

      How might the factionless-mandated clothing rules (e.g., wearing Amity yellow with Candor black) symbolize Evelyn’s goals for the new social order?
      Answer:
      The enforced mixing of faction clothing represents Evelyn’s attempt to dismantle old faction identities and create uniformity under factionless rule. By preventing groups from wearing their traditional colors, she weakens visual markers of allegiance that could foster rebellion. The policy also serves as psychological control, forcing individuals to outwardly conform to her vision. However, the awkward combinations (like Tris’s mismatched outfit) hint at the unnaturalness of this forced unity—it’s a superficial change that doesn’t address deeper divisions. This mirrors real-world tactics where authoritarian regimes ban cultural symbols to consolidate power.

      5. Thematic Question

      What does the tension between Tris and Evelyn reveal about the theme of power and resistance in the chapter?
      Answer:
      Their confrontation illustrates how power dynamics shift in the aftermath of revolution. Evelyn, now holding authority, uses institutional tools (trials, truth serum, laws) to maintain control, while Tris resists through subversion (lying) and public challenges. The chapter critiques cyclical oppression—Evelyn, once oppressed as Abnegation, now replicates Jeanine’s tyranny. Tris’s silent alliance with Tobias (who “belongs to himself”) suggests hope lies in individual autonomy rather than systems. The truth serum becomes a metaphor for the struggle between enforced conformity and personal truth, a central tension in dystopian narratives.

    Quotes

    • 1. “From one tyrant to another. That is the world we know, now.”

      This powerful statement captures Tris’s realization about the cyclical nature of oppression in their society. It marks a key turning point in the chapter where she recognizes that Evelyn’s factionless rule is just another form of authoritarian control, replacing Jeanine Matthews’ Erudite regime.

      2. “I brought you the truth about our city and the reason we are in it. If you aren’t thanking me for it, you should at least do something about it instead of sitting here on this mess you made, pretending it’s a throne!”

      This outburst represents Tris’s defiance against Evelyn’s rule and her frustration with the stagnant political situation. The quote is significant as it shows Tris challenging authority while under truth serum, revealing her true feelings about the current leadership.

      3. “I am doing something about it. I am making a new world… I promise you, you will not have a place in my new world, especially not with my son.”

      Evelyn’s chilling declaration reveals her authoritarian vision and personal vendetta against Tris. This quote is crucial as it establishes the central conflict between Tris and Evelyn, while also hinting at Evelyn’s desire to control her son Tobias.

      4. “She believes that Tobias belongs to her now. She doesn’t know the truth, that he belongs to himself.”

      This insightful observation by Tris highlights the theme of personal autonomy versus control. It’s significant as it contrasts Evelyn’s possessive attitude with Tris’s understanding of Tobias’s independence, showing their fundamentally different worldviews.

      5. “I feel like everything inside me is vibrating with energy, in anticipation of what is to come. I am free.”

      This concluding thought from Tris represents a key emotional shift in the chapter. After the tense interrogation, it shows her renewed determination and hope for escaping the city’s oppressive systems, setting up the next phase of the story.

    Quotes

    1. “From one tyrant to another. That is the world we know, now.”

    This powerful statement captures Tris’s realization about the cyclical nature of oppression in their society. It marks a key turning point in the chapter where she recognizes that Evelyn’s factionless rule is just another form of authoritarian control, replacing Jeanine Matthews’ Erudite regime.

    2. “I brought you the truth about our city and the reason we are in it. If you aren’t thanking me for it, you should at least do something about it instead of sitting here on this mess you made, pretending it’s a throne!”

    This outburst represents Tris’s defiance against Evelyn’s rule and her frustration with the stagnant political situation. The quote is significant as it shows Tris challenging authority while under truth serum, revealing her true feelings about the current leadership.

    3. “I am doing something about it. I am making a new world… I promise you, you will not have a place in my new world, especially not with my son.”

    Evelyn’s chilling declaration reveals her authoritarian vision and personal vendetta against Tris. This quote is crucial as it establishes the central conflict between Tris and Evelyn, while also hinting at Evelyn’s desire to control her son Tobias.

    4. “She believes that Tobias belongs to her now. She doesn’t know the truth, that he belongs to himself.”

    This insightful observation by Tris highlights the theme of personal autonomy versus control. It’s significant as it contrasts Evelyn’s possessive attitude with Tris’s understanding of Tobias’s independence, showing their fundamentally different worldviews.

    5. “I feel like everything inside me is vibrating with energy, in anticipation of what is to come. I am free.”

    This concluding thought from Tris represents a key emotional shift in the chapter. After the tense interrogation, it shows her renewed determination and hope for escaping the city’s oppressive systems, setting up the next phase of the story.

    FAQs

    1. Comprehension Question

    What is the significance of Tris being under truth serum during her interrogation, and how does she manage to lie despite its effects?
    Answer:
    The truth serum is meant to force complete honesty, making Tris’s ability to lie particularly remarkable. The chapter reveals that Tris has developed the skill to “push the weight of the truth serum aside in her mind,” suggesting exceptional mental discipline. This ability is crucial because it allows her to conceal her true motives from Evelyn Johnson. Tris lies by claiming she believed Marcus was acting under factionless orders and that she couldn’t handle guns due to trauma from killing Will. Her acting skills, honed through practice with deception, enable her to manipulate the interrogation’s outcome.

    2. Analytical Question

    How does Evelyn Johnson’s leadership style compare to Jeanine Matthews’s, based on Tris’s observation that they’ve moved “from one tyrant to another”?
    Answer:
    Tris’s comment highlights that while Evelyn presents herself as a liberator for the factionless, she employs similar authoritarian tactics as Jeanine. Evelyn maintains control through armed factionless patrols and imposes strict rules, such as forcing former faction members to mix clothing and living arrangements. Like Jeanine, she uses intimidation (the public interrogation) and centralized power (holding trials at Erudite headquarters). However, Evelyn’s rhetoric focuses on creating a “new world,” whereas Jeanine justified her rule through Erudite intellectual superiority. Both leaders suppress dissent, but Evelyn’s background as former Abnegation adds a layer of hypocrisy to her oppressive methods.

    3. Critical Thinking Question

    Why does Tris’s outburst about Evelyn “sitting on this mess you made, pretending it’s a throne” risk her safety, and what does it reveal about her character?
    Answer:
    Tris’s outburst is dangerous because it directly challenges Evelyn’s authority in front of a crowd, which could provoke harsher punishment. However, it also serves a strategic purpose: by aligning with her established “hotheaded” reputation (as Uriah notes), it makes her lies more believable. The moment underscores Tris’s bravery and refusal to be silenced, even under truth serum. It also reflects her growing political awareness—she recognizes Evelyn’s rule as another flawed system, not true liberation. This defiance foreshadows her likely role in resisting Evelyn’s regime later in the story.

    4. Application Question

    How might the factionless-mandated clothing rules (e.g., wearing Amity yellow with Candor black) symbolize Evelyn’s goals for the new social order?
    Answer:
    The enforced mixing of faction clothing represents Evelyn’s attempt to dismantle old faction identities and create uniformity under factionless rule. By preventing groups from wearing their traditional colors, she weakens visual markers of allegiance that could foster rebellion. The policy also serves as psychological control, forcing individuals to outwardly conform to her vision. However, the awkward combinations (like Tris’s mismatched outfit) hint at the unnaturalness of this forced unity—it’s a superficial change that doesn’t address deeper divisions. This mirrors real-world tactics where authoritarian regimes ban cultural symbols to consolidate power.

    5. Thematic Question

    What does the tension between Tris and Evelyn reveal about the theme of power and resistance in the chapter?
    Answer:
    Their confrontation illustrates how power dynamics shift in the aftermath of revolution. Evelyn, now holding authority, uses institutional tools (trials, truth serum, laws) to maintain control, while Tris resists through subversion (lying) and public challenges. The chapter critiques cyclical oppression—Evelyn, once oppressed as Abnegation, now replicates Jeanine’s tyranny. Tris’s silent alliance with Tobias (who “belongs to himself”) suggests hope lies in individual autonomy rather than systems. The truth serum becomes a metaphor for the struggle between enforced conformity and personal truth, a central tension in dystopian narratives.

    Note