Allegiant
Epilogue
by Roth, VeronicaThe epilogue of *Allegiant* opens with Evelyn returning to Chicago after two and a half years of exile. She reunites with her son, the narrator, at a boundary between two worlds, marked by tire tracks and frequent travel. The narrator observes how Evelyn appears younger and happier, reflecting the positive impact of her time away. The scene sets a tone of reconciliation and change, as the narrator prepares to scatter Tris’s ashes, symbolizing a step toward healing on what would have been Choosing Day in their former faction-based society.
The narrative shifts to a drive through the transformed landscape around Chicago, where crops now flourish and former Bureau scientists work alongside locals. The absence of factions is described as “ordinary,” yet the narrator notes the vibrant diversity of clothing colors, hinting at a new, unified society. Evelyn’s curiosity about life without factions underscores the theme of adaptation, while the narrator’s smile suggests cautious optimism. The imagery of growth—both in the fields and in their relationship—reinforces the chapter’s focus on renewal.
The narrator takes Evelyn to his sparse apartment in the “fourth city,” a term reflecting Chicago’s repeated cycles of destruction and rebirth. Their conversation reveals his role as a political assistant and his rejection of violence, contrasting with Evelyn’s skepticism of politicians. The tension between them lingers, but their shared history—symbolized by a blue glass object Evelyn gifts him—hints at deeper emotional connections. The object, a relic of their past defiance, serves as a metaphor for the intangible yet enduring bonds between them.
The chapter closes with reflections on letting go of the past, particularly the narrator’s decision to leave his father behind without confrontation. Evelyn’s probing questions about his father highlight their shared struggle with forgiveness, but the narrator’s resolve to move forward remains firm. The blue glass object, reintroduced as a symbol of beauty and defiance, ties the epilogue’s themes together: healing is gradual, change is inevitable, and some connections—like the one between mother and son—transcend time and conflict.
FAQs
1. How has Chicago changed in the two and a half years since the events of the main story, and what do these changes symbolize?
Answer:
Chicago has undergone significant transformations, most notably the spread of agriculture beyond Amity headquarters and the integration of faction colors in everyday life. The text describes “rows and rows of corn or wheat” with people wearing “red and blue and green and purple,” symbolizing the dissolution of rigid faction divisions. The restoration efforts on the river and lake, though slow, represent gradual healing. These changes reflect a move toward unity and sustainability, with former Bureau scientists contributing to agricultural and environmental recovery. The narrator also mentions this new phase as “the fourth city,” acknowledging Chicago’s cyclical history of destruction and rebirth.2. Analyze the evolving relationship between Tobias and Evelyn. How does their interaction in this epilogue demonstrate growth from their previous conflicts?
Answer:
The epilogue shows significant reconciliation between Tobias and Evelyn. Unlike their earlier antagonistic relationship, Tobias now allows Evelyn to kiss his cheek and even smiles—actions he previously resisted. Their conversation is warm, with Tobias welcoming her back to Chicago despite their past agreement for her to leave. Evelyn’s physical transformation (“younger, her face fuller and her smile wider”) mirrors their emotional healing. Tobias’ nervousness about her visiting his apartment yet willingness to bridge the gap demonstrates mature acceptance of their complicated bond. Their discussion about Marcus also reveals Tobias has moved beyond anger, choosing to “leave him behind” rather than seek confrontation.3. What is the significance of Tris’s ashes being scattered on what would have been Choosing Day, and how does this connect to the novel’s larger themes?
Answer:
Scattering Tris’s ashes on the former Choosing Day holds profound symbolic weight. Choosing Day originally represented rigid faction divisions and life-altering decisions—the very system Tris fought to change. By commemorating her on this date, Tobias honors her role in breaking the faction system while acknowledging how far society has come (“if we still had factions”). The act represents both closure and continuation: saying goodbye to Tris while stepping into the new world she helped create. This moment ties into the novel’s themes of transformation, sacrifice, and rebuilding, showing how personal grief intersects with societal progress.4. How does the blue glass object Evelyn gives Tobias serve as a metaphor for their relationship and personal growth?
Answer:
The blue glass sculpture—originally a forbidden Abnegation object representing “quiet defiance”—now symbolizes reconciled contradictions. When young Tobias hid it, the glass embodied rebellion against his faction and secret connection to his supposedly dead mother. Its reintroduction mirrors their relationship’s evolution: once a clandestine tie, now openly acknowledged. Evelyn’s original explanation (“Beautiful things sometimes do [something in here]” while touching her heart) gains new meaning, suggesting their healed bond operates beyond utilitarian value. The object’s water-like form also reflects fluidity—both characters have moved beyond rigid identities (faction loyalties, vengeful roles) toward acceptance and complexity.5. Contrast Tobias’s current perspective on leadership and violence with his past behaviors. What do his career choice and refusal to train police reveal about his development?
Answer:
Tobias has shifted dramatically from his Dauntless fighter persona to embracing nonviolent change through politics (“using your words now”). His refusal to train police (“I’m done with guns”) rejects the militarized enforcement he once participated in, while his political assistant role aligns with Tris’s belief in systemic reform. This mirrors Chicago’s broader transition—George organizing police (structural authority) versus Tobias pursuing governance (policy change). His apartment choice (“nowhere near either of my old homes”) further shows a break from past identities. However, Evelyn’s skepticism (“I don’t trust politicians”) hints at ongoing tensions between idealism and pragmatism in rebuilding society.
Quotes
1. “The agreement, when I offered it to her more than two years ago, and when she made it again with Johanna shortly after, was that she would leave the city. Now, so much has changed in Chicago that I don’t see the harm in her coming back, and neither does she.”
This quote marks a turning point in the relationship between the narrator and Evelyn, showing how time and change have softened old conflicts. It reflects the theme of reconciliation and the evolving nature of their post-faction world.
2. “Change, like healing, takes time.”
A profound observation about the gradual process of recovery—both personal and societal—after trauma. This metaphorical statement encapsulates the chapter’s broader message about patience in rebuilding lives and communities.
3. “There was only one option left, and it was letting go.”
This represents the narrator’s emotional climax regarding his father, demonstrating a hard-won wisdom about moving beyond past hurts. It’s a key moment of character growth that resonates with the book’s themes of forgiveness and release.
4. “Beautiful things sometimes do.”
Evelyn’s poetic justification for keeping the blue glass object serves as a thematic statement about finding value in aesthetics and emotional resonance rather than pure utility. This challenges the Abnegation faction’s philosophy and represents personal rebellion.
5. “It’s very ordinary. You’ll love it.”
The narrator’s simple yet powerful description of life without factions underscores the book’s ultimate message—that true peace comes in mundane, unremarkable daily existence rather than dramatic ideological structures.