Four: A Divergent Collection
The Initiate
by Roth, VeronicaThe chapter opens with the protagonist training intensely in a Dauntless facility, their hands bruised from relentless fights. Amar, a fellow initiate, observes their solitary habits and notes their upcoming match against Eric, a formidable opponent. The protagonist reflects on their previous fights, revealing lingering guilt over hurting an Amity girl and pride in outlasting a Candor boy. Despite their physical exhaustion, they push through pain, a habit ingrained since childhood, yet doubt their ability to defeat Eric, who demands greater skill and strength.
Amar confronts the protagonist about their isolation, contrasting it with other initiates who bond during training. He invites them to join a Dauntless game, emphasizing the importance of camaraderie. Initially hesitant, the protagonist recalls their decision to break free from their father’s rigid expectations and agrees. The game, “Dare,” involves risky challenges and drinking, fostering a sense of belonging. Lauren, a Dauntless member, sets the tone with a bold dare for Amar, while the group cheers, showcasing their fearless and playful dynamic.
During the train ride, the protagonist interacts with other initiates, including Zeke and Shauna, who admire their Dauntless-like resilience. Shauna questions the protagonist’s surprise at her fighting spirit, challenging their preconceived notions about gender and strength. The protagonist admits their unfamiliarity with Dauntless culture, feeling like an outsider. Despite their initial awkwardness, they begin to relax, observing the easy camaraderie among the group, which contrasts sharply with their former life in Abnegation.
The chapter highlights the protagonist’s internal conflict between their disciplined upbringing and the Dauntless ethos of boldness and community. Their participation in the game marks a tentative step toward integration, though they still grapple with imposter syndrome. The interactions with Zeke and Shauna offer glimpses of acceptance, while the dare game symbolizes the thrill and risk central to Dauntless identity. The protagonist’s journey reflects a broader struggle to redefine themselves in a world that values fearlessness and connection.
FAQs
1. How does the protagonist’s approach to Dauntless initiation differ from that of other initiates, and what does this reveal about their character?
Answer:
The protagonist demonstrates an intensely solitary and disciplined approach to initiation, spending mornings in the training room and nights in the fear landscape room while avoiding socializing with other initiates. Amar notes this isolation, contrasting it with how most Dauntless form bonds during initiation. This reveals the protagonist’s deep-seated habits of self-reliance and perseverance (“pushing through pain is one of my oldest habits”), likely stemming from their Abnegation upbringing. Their internal conflict—wanting to break free from their father’s voice of restraint while struggling to embrace Dauntless camaraderie—highlights their transitional identity and fear of being an “imposter” in the faction.2. Analyze the significance of the “Dare” game scene in developing the theme of Dauntless culture.
Answer:
The “Dare” game epitomizes Dauntless values of boldness and recklessness, as seen in Lauren’s drunken swaying on a moving train and Amar’s dare to disrupt the Erudite library. The game’s rules (“not being a little pansycake”) emphasize performative bravery and group bonding through shared risk-taking. This contrasts sharply with the protagonist’s initial hesitation, underscoring their cultural adjustment. The scene also showcases faction dynamics: the older members’ ease with each other (physical banter, inside jokes) versus the initiates’ tentative interactions. It serves as a microcosm of Dauntless socialization, where status is earned through audacity rather than solitary achievement.3. How does the protagonist’s interaction with Shauna challenge their preconceptions about gender roles in Dauntless?
Answer:
Shauna’s reaction to being hit in fights (“Why would it bother me?”) directly confronts the protagonist’s assumption that female initiates require gentler treatment. Her pointed remark about “girl parts” and the protagonist’s embarrassed response highlight their ingrained Abnegation/Candor biases about gender norms. This moment forces the protagonist to recognize Dauntless’s meritocratic ethos, where physical capability—not gender—determines respect. Shauna’s pride in landing a hit on Zeke despite losing reinforces this, pushing the protagonist to reevaluate their understanding of strength and equality within the faction.4. What internal conflicts does the protagonist grapple with regarding their upcoming fight against Eric?
Answer:
The protagonist faces both practical and psychological struggles. Practically, they doubt their ability to defeat Eric, acknowledging it will require “skill I don’t have, strength I haven’t earned.” Psychologically, they battle guilt from previous fights (elbowing Mia, exploiting Sean’s endurance) and the pressure to prove they belong in Dauntless despite their Abnegation origins. Their compulsive training reflects a fear of failure and exposure as an “imposter.” Notably, their decision to join the Dare game marks a turning point—choosing camaraderie over isolation—suggesting they’re beginning to prioritize Dauntless values of community over solitary perseverance.5. Compare Amar’s mentorship style with Lauren’s leadership in this chapter. What do these approaches reveal about Dauntless hierarchy?
Answer:
Amar employs observational guidance, gently pointing out the protagonist’s isolation (“you seem determined not to have any friends”) and offering opportunities for integration. His tone is pragmatic but kind, emphasizing faction belonging over rigid rules. In contrast, Lauren leads through chaotic energy, enforcing participation in the Dare game with brash humor (“not being a little pansycake”). Both models reflect Dauntless’s informal hierarchy: authority figures earn respect through lived experience (Amar’s insights, Lauren’s fearlessness) rather than titles. Their differing styles—Amar’s strategic nudges vs. Lauren’s bold challenges—show how Dauntless cultivates initiates through both personal mentorship and collective trial by fire.
Quotes
1. “Pushing through pain is one of my oldest habits, learned young, like chewing on my thumbnail, or holding my fork in my left hand instead of my right.”
This quote reveals the protagonist’s resilience and how hardship has shaped their identity. It shows their ingrained perseverance, which becomes crucial in Dauntless initiation fights.
2. “Joining a faction is about more than getting through initiation, you know… For most of the Dauntless, they meet their best friends during initiation, their girlfriends, boyfriends, whatever. Enemies, too. But you seem determined not to have any of those things.”
Amar’s observation highlights the protagonist’s isolation and the social aspect of faction life they’re missing. This moment marks a turning point where the character begins to question their solitary approach.
3. “I came here because I was ready to stop listening to that voice.”
This powerful realization shows the protagonist’s internal conflict between their Abnegation upbringing and Dauntless identity. It captures the core theme of self-reinvention that drives their journey.
4. “Guess you were born Dauntless… She doesn’t know that I came here to escape the life I was meant for, that I’m fighting so hard to get through initiation so I don’t have to admit that I’m an imposter.”
This contrast between external perception and internal reality reveals the protagonist’s imposter syndrome. It’s a key moment of self-reflection about their faction transition and true identity.
5. “What, you think I can’t take it just like every other initiate, just because I have girl parts?”
Shauna’s challenge confronts gender stereotypes within Dauntless culture. This exchange represents the protagonist’s ongoing adjustment to faction norms and serves as a lesson in Dauntless equality.