Four: A Divergent Collection
“Careful, Tris.”
by Roth, VeronicaThe chapter opens with Four, the Dauntless instructor, reflecting on his role in guiding eight initiates—five from Candor, two from Erudite, and one from Abnegation—through the rigorous initiation process. He disapproves of the recent cuts implemented by leaders Eric and Max, who aim to mold Dauntless into a faction of brute strength. Four secretly plans to leave Dauntless once he uncovers Max and Jeanine’s schemes, even if it means abandoning his post mid-initiation. As he leads the initiates through the tunnels, he prepares to assert his authority, knowing he lacks Amar’s natural charisma and must rely on strict discipline to command respect.
Four introduces himself to the initiates, but his name, “Four,” prompts skepticism from Christina, a Candor transfer. Her sarcastic remarks challenge his authority, prompting him to confront her aggressively. He warns her to stay silent, establishing his dominance early on. The tension highlights Four’s struggle to balance his disdain for Candor’s bluntness with the need to maintain control. As they enter the Pit, Four momentarily admires the vibrant energy of the space, a rare moment of appreciation for the faction he’s grown disillusioned with. He guides the initiates toward the chasm, signaling the start of their Dauntless journey.
The focus shifts to Tris, the Abnegation transfer, who stands out for her unfamiliarity with Dauntless customs, like eating hamburgers. Christina’s incredulous reaction underscores the cultural divide between factions. Four observes Tris closely, feeling a residual Abnegation courtesy toward her but forcing himself to adopt Dauntless slang. Tris’s dry humor surprises him, and he nearly smiles, revealing a flicker of connection. Their interaction is interrupted by Eric’s arrival, whose youthful leadership and Erudite ties make him a controversial figure. Four tenses, wary of Eric’s potential to expose his own Abnegation past or undermine Tris.
Eric’s taunts toward Tris and probing questions about Four’s activities heighten the tension. Four feigns indifference to Max’s messages, hiding his covert investigation into Eric and Max’s plans. The chapter closes with Four’s internal conflict: his disdain for Eric’s cruelty, his protective instinct toward Tris, and his determination to uncover the truth before leaving Dauntless. The interactions set the stage for the power dynamics and personal stakes that will define the initiation process and Four’s evolving loyalties.
FAQs
1. What is Four’s attitude toward the new initiation practices in Dauntless, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Four strongly disapproves of the new initiation practices, particularly the cuts and the emphasis on “mindless brutality” promoted by Eric and Max. He sees these changes as a corruption of Dauntless values and secretly plans to leave the faction once he uncovers Max and Jeanine’s schemes. This reveals Four’s moral integrity and his willingness to resist authority when it conflicts with his principles. Despite his tough exterior as an instructor, he cares about the initiates’ survival and subtly opposes the faction’s darker tendencies (e.g., “I fought them as hard as I dared” and his internal criticism of Eric’s leadership).2. How does Four establish authority with the initiates, and why does he choose this approach?
Answer:
Four adopts a stern, intimidating demeanor from the outset, exemplified when he silences Christina’s jokes by leaning into her face and demanding respect. He acknowledges that he lacks Amar’s natural charisma, so he compensates with strictness to ensure the initiates take him seriously. This approach reflects his understanding of Dauntless culture, where strength and dominance are valued. His internal monologue shows this is a calculated strategy: “I have to show them all that I’m not someone to be messed with, and I have to do it now.”3. Contrast Eric and Four’s leadership styles based on their interactions in this chapter.
Answer:
Eric leads through fear and manipulation, hinted at by his Erudite background and the way he silences dissent (“soft-spoken words that twisted together into malice”). His youth and sudden rise to power suggest political connections matter more than merit. Four, meanwhile, leads through competence and respect, even if he projects toughness. Their dynamic is adversarial—Four distrusts Eric’s motives and resists his authority (e.g., ignoring Max’s messages). Eric’s smirk at Tris and passive-aggressive questioning of Four further highlight their ideological clash: Eric enjoys power plays, while Four values authenticity.4. Analyze the significance of Tris’s Abnegation background in her early interactions with Dauntless members.
Answer:
Tris’s Abnegation upbringing creates immediate cultural friction, as seen when she doesn’t recognize a hamburger and Christina reacts with Candor bluntness (“No wonder you left”). Four feels conflicted—he instinctively wants to treat her with Abnegation courtesy but forces himself to adopt Dauntless slang (“Stiffs eat plain food”). Tris’s sarcastic eye-roll (“It was just because of the food”) shows her adapting, using humor to deflect scrutiny. This foreshadows her struggle to reconcile her old identity with her new one, a tension Four recognizes and relates to.5. What does the Pit symbolize in this chapter, and how does Four’s perspective on it shift?
Answer:
The Pit symbolizes the chaotic energy and communal spirit of Dauntless. Four usually avoids it due to its noise and crowds, but here, he feels a surge of affection for its vitality: “the impossibly huge space, bustling with life… today I love it.” This momentary shift reflects his conflicted loyalty—he criticizes the faction’s leadership but still feels drawn to its core ideals. The chasm’s “pulse of water” mirrors his own emotional undercurrents: turbulent beneath a controlled exterior. His decision to show it to the initiates suggests he wants them to see Dauntless’s potential, not just its brutality.
Quotes
1. “But it seems the cuts are here to stay, all for the sake of the Dauntless Max and Eric want to create—a faction of mindless brutality.”
This quote reveals Four’s internal conflict about the changing values of Dauntless under Eric and Max’s leadership, highlighting the tension between the faction’s original ideals and its new brutal direction.
2. “I learned last year that in order for them to take me seriously from the beginning, I have to be hard on them from the beginning. I don’t have Amar’s natural charm, which won people’s loyalty with just a smile or a joke, so I have to compensate in other ways.”
This insight into Four’s leadership style shows his self-awareness and the calculated persona he adopts as an instructor, contrasting his natural personality with the authority he feels compelled to project.
3. “It’s like the rest of the world doesn’t exist to them, but for the Abnegation, the rest of the world is all that exists, and it is full of need.”
This observation about Candor and Abnegation factions demonstrates Four’s perceptive understanding of faction psychology and his ability to see beyond surface behaviors to deeper cultural differences.
4. “Someone would be outspoken one day and silent, frightened the next, almost like he had threatened them. Knowing Eric, he probably did, with soft-spoken words that twisted together into malice, clever and calculated as always.”
This description of Eric’s leadership tactics reveals the sinister nature of his power and foreshadows the political dangers within Dauntless, while also showing Four’s deep distrust of him.
5. “I find it easy to discard Max’s messages, like they’re bits of garbage blown toward me by the wind.”
This metaphorical statement illustrates Four’s growing alienation from Dauntless leadership and his quiet rebellion against their authority, hinting at his eventual plans to leave the faction.