Allegiant
Chapter Twenty-Three
by Roth, VeronicaTobias discovers a hidden note from Nita under his pillow, requesting a secret meeting at eleven. Though conflicted about keeping it from Tris, he rationalizes that Nita might have urgent matters to discuss. As he prepares to leave, he notices Uriah’s flask and discreetly moves it, reflecting on his unfulfilled promise to Zeke to look after Uriah. The encounter sets a tone of secrecy and unease, hinting at underlying tensions within the group and Tobias’s internal struggle with honesty in his relationship with Tris.
Nita leads Tobias through dim hallways to a secluded room adorned with bronze panels inscribed with names—the Chicago family trees. Tobias searches for familiar names, finding Uriah and Zeke Pedrad marked with “DD” for Divergent. Nita explains the matrilineal lineage system, revealing Tobias’s own family tree, which traces back eight generations. The labels “AD” by his name and “AA” by Marcus’s highlight their faction origins and choices, forcing Tobias to confront his inescapable ties to his parents, despite his efforts to distance himself.
The chapter delves into Tobias’s emotional response to seeing his family history etched in bronze. He touches the lines connecting him to Evelyn and Marcus, feeling a mix of sadness and resignation. Nita reveals her true motive for the meeting: her earlier conversation about genetic damage was a test to gauge his reaction. She confides that she rejects the “damaged” label, hinting at a deeper resistance to the Bureau’s classifications. Tobias, wary of her proximity and intentions, steps back, sensing a shift in their dynamic.
The encounter leaves Tobias unsettled, as Nita’s revelation about her defiance against the Bureau’s ideology raises questions about her trustworthiness. Her manipulative test and cryptic stance on genetic purity suggest she may be part of a larger rebellion. Tobias’s internal conflict—between curiosity and caution, loyalty to Tris and intrigue with Nita—sets the stage for future tensions. The chapter ends on an ambiguous note, foreshadowing potential alliances or betrayals in the evolving struggle against the Bureau’s control.
FAQs
1. What internal conflict does Tobias face when he finds Nita’s note, and how does he resolve it?
Answer:
Tobias experiences a moral dilemma when he finds Nita’s note asking him to meet her at night. He feels conflicted about keeping this meeting secret from Tris, especially since they’ve been working on being more honest with each other. However, he rationalizes that Nita is just a friend and that the matter might be urgent, deciding to tell Tris about it later. This highlights Tobias’s ongoing struggle with trust and transparency in his relationships, as well as his tendency to justify actions that might upset others (as shown when he thinks, “It might be urgent” to ease his guilt).2. Analyze the significance of the family tree room and how Tobias reacts to discovering his lineage.
Answer:
The family tree room serves as a powerful symbol of inescapable heritage, with bronze panels displaying generations of names from Chicago. For Tobias, seeing his parents’ names (Evelyn Johnson and Marcus Eaton) connected to his own forces him to confront his painful past and the “empty inheritance” he feels bound to. The letters next to each name (like “AD” for Tobias) reveal faction origins and choices, adding bureaucratic precision to personal identity. His reaction—feeling sad and tired—shows how this visual representation of lineage reinforces his sense of being trapped by family ties, despite his efforts to distance himself from them.3. How does Nita’s revelation about her “test” change the context of their previous conversation about genetic damage?
Answer:
Nita reveals that her earlier discussion about genetic damage was a test to gauge Tobias’s response. She wanted to see if he would internalize the label of being “damaged” or reject it, which would determine if he could be trusted. This reframes their prior conversation as a deliberate manipulation rather than a genuine exchange. Her admission that she doesn’t actually believe in the “damaged” classification shows her rebellious stance against the Bureau’s ideology. It also positions Tobias as passing her test by refusing to let limitations define him, which aligns with his character growth throughout the series.4. Compare Tobias’s actions toward Uriah in this chapter with his promise to Zeke. What does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
When Tobias notices Uriah’s flask hidden under his pillow, he quietly moves it to an empty cot instead of confronting him. This small act shows Tobias’s conflicted sense of responsibility—he’s aware of his promise to Zeke to look after Uriah but avoids direct intervention. His internal acknowledgment (“I haven’t been looking after him as well as I promised”) reveals guilt but also passivity. This mirrors his broader tendency to observe and indirectly protect (as with Tris) rather than engage in difficult conversations, highlighting both his caring nature and his emotional avoidance.5. Why might the author have included Tobias’s reflection about haircuts in this chapter? Discuss its thematic relevance.
Answer:
Tobias’s memory of Abnegation haircuts serves multiple purposes: it contrasts his past (ritualistic, tactile care) with his present (neglected hair symbolizing lost identity), and it subtly humanizes Marcus through Tobias’s acknowledgment that his father “never complained” about helping. The detail reinforces themes of identity and belonging—Tobias initially changed his hair to fit into Dauntless, but now misses the tradition. It also underscores how physical appearances in the series often reflect internal states, as Tobias’s unkempt hair parallels his current emotional turmoil about family and self-worth.
Quotes
1. “I don’t want to wake her, but I feel strange, going to meet a girl in the middle of the night without telling her about it. Especially now that we’re trying so hard to be honest with each other.”
This quote captures Tobias’s internal conflict about secrecy versus honesty in his relationship with Tris, highlighting the ongoing theme of trust and transparency in their evolving dynamic.
2. “I stopped cutting it like the Abnegation when I wanted the Dauntless to see me as a potential leader, but I miss the ritual of the old way, the buzz of the clippers and the careful movements of my hands, knowing more by touch than by sight.”
This reflection reveals Tobias’s complex relationship with his past and identity, showing how his outward transformations still leave him nostalgic for simpler times and his Abnegation roots.
3. “This is a map of what I’ve always known, that I am tied to them, bound forever to this empty inheritance no matter how far I run.”
A powerful statement about familial legacy and inescapable identity, this quote summarizes Tobias’s painful realization that he cannot outrun his connection to Marcus and Evelyn, no matter how much he distances himself physically or emotionally.
4. “If you accepted what I said about your limitations, the answer would have been no. See, I’m not really on board with being classified as ‘damaged.’”
This pivotal moment reveals Nita’s true motives and introduces a key thematic conflict - the rebellion against genetic determinism and the Bureau’s classification system, setting up future resistance.