Insurgent
Chapter Seven
by Veronica, RothThe chapter opens with Tris recovering from the effects of a peace serum, which had left her in a euphoric but passive state for hours. Tobias, relieved that the serum has worn off, checks on her and hides a hard drive behind her dresser, believing it will be safe there since Peter had already searched that spot. Tris expresses frustration over her inability to resist the serum, questioning why her divergent mind couldn’t fight it. Tobias suggests that resisting a serum requires a conscious desire to do so, prompting Tris to reflect on whether she truly wanted to resist or if she welcomed the temporary escape from her pain and anger.
As the conversation continues, Tris and Tobias avoid addressing the deeper tensions between them, choosing instead to cling to a fragile peace. Their banter reveals their complicated relationship, with Tobias teasing Tris about her stubbornness and Tris reacting with playful aggression. Despite their lighthearted exchange, the underlying emotional wounds—such as Tris’s guilt over Will’s death and her near betrayal of Tobias—remain unspoken. The chapter highlights their mutual understanding and the ways they cope with trauma, even as they skirt around the truth.
Later, Tris retreats to an apple tree in the orchard, seeking solitude and distraction from her grief. While picking apples, she hears the distant sound of approaching vehicles, which she quickly identifies as Erudite cars due to their distinctive solar panels. Realizing the danger, she climbs higher to confirm her suspicions and, upon spotting the cars, immediately sprints back to warn Tobias and the others. Her physical exertion and urgency underscore the imminent threat posed by the Erudite faction.
The chapter concludes with Tris breathlessly alerting Tobias and the group about the approaching Erudite. The tension escalates as they debate whether there’s time to flee, while the Abnegation refugees gather around, sensing the urgency. The scene leaves the characters—and readers—on edge, anticipating the confrontation with the Erudite and the potential consequences for Tris and her allies. The chapter effectively blends emotional introspection with high-stakes action, setting the stage for the next phase of the conflict.
FAQs
1. How does Tris react when the peace serum wears off, and what does this reveal about her character?
Answer:
When the peace serum wears off, Tris is furious, declaring “I’ll kill them” to Tobias. This intense reaction contrasts sharply with her peaceful state under the serum’s influence, revealing her deep-seated anger and trauma from recent events. Her frustration at being unable to resist the serum (“Why couldn’t I fight the peace serum?”) shows her struggle with vulnerability. The chapter suggests she may have subconsciously welcomed the serum’s escape from pain, as Tobias notes: “people just want to be happy, even if it’s not real.” This duality highlights Tris’s complex character—both fiercely resistant to control yet emotionally exhausted by conflict.2. What symbolic significance does the apple tree scene hold in relation to Tris’s emotional state?
Answer:
The apple tree scene serves as a powerful metaphor for Tris’s emotional journey. Physically climbing the tree (“muscles burning”) mirrors her ongoing struggle to overcome challenges. Her observation that “sitting still leaves little spaces for the grief to get in” reveals her use of constant motion to avoid confronting trauma. The snapped branch represents her limitations and near-catastrophic failures, while her determination to climb higher reflects her persistent nature. When she later sprints through the orchard counting rows (a Dauntless-like behavior in Amity territory), it shows how she channels distress into action—a recurring survival mechanism throughout the story.3. How does the relationship dynamic between Tris and Tobias evolve in this chapter?
Answer:
This chapter shows a fragile reconciliation between Tris and Tobias, built on unspoken avoidance. Their playful banter (“Are you conceding?”) and physical affection (cheek kissing) mask deeper tensions about Will’s death, Tris’s near-betrayal, and Marcus. Tobias’s insight about people preferring artificial happiness applies to their relationship—they’re “not talking about things” to preserve temporary peace. Notably, Tobias demonstrates protective care (locking her in, checking hourly) while respecting her autonomy (hiding the hard drive together). Their dynamic reveals both deep connection and unresolved conflict, with Tris’s emotional whiplash from serum-induced peace to violent anger underscoring their unstable foundation.4. What narrative purpose does the Erudite arrival serve, and how does Tris’s response reinforce her Divergent nature?
Answer:
The Erudite arrival reignites the central conflict, forcing characters out of their temporary sanctuary. Tris’s response—immediately climbing for visibility, analyzing vehicle details (solar panels = Erudite), and sprinting to warn others—showcases her Divergent traits: Dauntless bravery (risking injury to climb), Erudite observation (identifying car types), and Abnegation self-sacrifice (running despite pain). Her rapid transition from grief-avoidance to crisis mode (“I don’t allow myself to think”) highlights how danger sharpens her focus. This moment also tests faction alliances, as Amity’s peaceful setting becomes a battleground, pushing Tris back into her insurgent role against the Erudite threat.
Quotes
1. “I’ll kill them. I will kill them.”
This quote captures Tris’s raw anger and determination after the effects of the peace serum wear off. It represents her refusal to submit to oppression and sets the tone for her defiant mindset throughout the chapter.
2. “Sometimes people just want to be happy, even if it’s not real.”
Tobias’s insightful observation highlights a key theme of escapism in the dystopian world. It explains why Tris momentarily embraced the peace serum’s effects, revealing the human desire to avoid pain—even through artificial means.
3. “I have discovered that sitting still leaves little spaces for the grief to get in, so I stay busy.”
This poignant line reveals Tris’s coping mechanism for trauma. It shows her character growth as she actively fights against overwhelming grief through physical exertion, foreshadowing her relentless action against approaching danger.
4. “At first I see nothing but a stretch of farmland… But approaching the gate are a few moving specks—silver, when the light catches them.”
This tense observation marks the chapter’s turning point as Tris spots the Erudite approaching. The vivid description builds suspense and propels the narrative toward its climactic confrontation.