Insurgent
Chapter Thirty-Five
by Veronica, RothThe chapter opens with Tris preparing for her impending execution, donning loose black clothing and reflecting on her father’s quiet rituals. She seeks a sense of connection to him before her death, lacing her fingers in silent contemplation. Peter, her escort, avoids eye contact, underscoring the grim atmosphere. As they walk through the hallway, Tris hears Tobias’s desperate shouts to see her, prompting Peter to allow a brief, poignant moment at a window where their hands align against the glass. The encounter is heart-wrenching, leaving Tris in emotional pain as she turns away.
The narrative shifts to Tris’s somber procession through a hallway crowded with Dauntless traitors, who part silently to let her pass. Some nod in respect, though their motives remain unclear. The pounding of fists against the walls creates a rhythmic, almost ceremonial backdrop, heightening the tension. Tris moves forward with resolve, entering the execution chamber where Erudite members, including Jeanine, await. The cold metal table and hovering cameras emphasize the clinical brutality of the scene, as Tris lies down, acutely aware of the life slipping away.
As Peter attaches a heart monitor, Tris’s internal turmoil erupts. She realizes she doesn’t want to die, despite her earlier acceptance of sacrifice. The desire to live burns fiercely within her, contradicting her previous beliefs about honoring her parents’ deaths through her own. Jeanine steps forward with a syringe of purple serum, and Tris’s mind screams in defiance. The moment is charged with desperation as she grapples with the sudden clarity that living, not dying, is her true purpose.
The chapter closes with Peter’s unexpected words of encouragement—“Be brave, Tris”—echoing Tobias’s past reassurance. This jolts Tris, sparking confusion about Peter’s motives. As the serum takes effect, her body relaxes, and her head drops, leaving the outcome ambiguous. The scene lingers on the edge of life and death, capturing Tris’s internal struggle and the unsettling juxtaposition of cruelty and fleeting kindness in her final moments.
FAQs
1. How does Tris’s perspective on death and sacrifice evolve throughout this chapter?
Answer:
At the beginning of the chapter, Tris appears resigned to her fate, reflecting on her father’s rituals and preparing emotionally for her execution. However, as the moment approaches, she experiences a profound shift—realizing she doesn’t want to die after all. This contrasts with her earlier belief that self-sacrifice would honor her parents and Will. The chapter highlights her internal conflict: while she once romanticized dying like her parents, she now recognizes that true honor lies in living meaningfully “in the light of their deaths.” The repeated mantra “I don’t want to die” underscores this transformation.2. Analyze the significance of the interaction between Tris and Tobias through the window. How does this scene contribute to the emotional weight of the chapter?
Answer:
The window scene is a poignant moment of connection amid separation. Tobias’s desperation (“I want to see her!”) and Tris’s silent gesture—pressing her hand to the glass—symbolize their unbreakable bond despite physical barriers. His tearful reaction and her subsequent pain (“worse than when I got shot”) amplify the tragedy of their situation. This interaction humanizes Tris’s impending execution, reminding readers of what she stands to lose: love, companionship, and a future. It also contrasts with the coldness of the Dauntless traitors, emphasizing isolation versus intimacy.3. Why might Peter’s instruction to “be brave” surprise Tris, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Peter’s words startle Tris because they echo Tobias’s encouragement during her first simulation, creating an unexpected moment of empathy from a character typically antagonistic. This suggests Peter may harbor conflicted loyalties or guilt, complicating his role as a “traitor.” His scowling demeanor earlier in the chapter contrasts with this brief kindness, hinting at layers beneath his ruthless exterior. The line also serves as narrative irony: Tris interprets it as a death sentence, but readers might suspect deception or hope for intervention.4. How does the author use sensory details to immerse readers in Tris’s experience during the execution preparations?
Answer:
Roth employs vivid sensory imagery to heighten tension. Tactile details like the “frigid” metal table and Tris’s “cold toes sticking to tiles” emphasize physical discomfort, mirroring her emotional dread. The auditory “pounding” of Dauntless traitors’ fists creates a rhythmic, almost ritualistic tension, while the “muffled shouts” of Tobias add urgency. Visual contrasts—Jeanine’s makeup-covered scratches, the “blue armbands of betrayal”—paint a stark picture of hostility. These details ground Tris’s psychological turmoil in a visceral reality, making her fear palpable.5. What thematic role does the purple serum play in this chapter, and how does its description contribute to the mood?
Answer:
The purple serum symbolizes the intersection of science and cruelty, a recurring theme in the series. Its unnatural color and Jeanine’s clinical administration (“syringe full of purple serum”) dehumanize Tris’s execution, framing it as an Erudite experiment rather than a personal loss. The serum’s slow-acting nature (“one minute”) prolongs Tris’s agony, amplifying suspense. Its effects—muscles relaxing, a “heavy, liquid feeling”—create an eerie, dreamlike tone, blurring the line between death and simulation. This ambiguity leaves readers questioning whether the serum is truly lethal or part of a larger scheme.
Quotes
1. “I would like to feel like I belong to my father again before I … well, before it’s over.”
This introspective moment captures Tris’s vulnerability as she faces execution, longing for connection with her deceased father. It reveals her emotional state and sets the tone for the chapter’s themes of mortality and legacy.
2. “I reach up and press my palm to the glass… I pretend I can feel the warmth of it through the window.”
This poignant interaction between Tris and Tobias through the prison window powerfully conveys their unspoken love and grief. The physical barrier becomes symbolic of their forced separation in this critical moment.
3. “I don’t want to die I don’t want to die I don’t want to!”
This raw, repeated thought represents the chapter’s emotional climax as Tris confronts her mortality. The sudden realization contrasts with her previous acceptance of sacrifice, showing her human desire to survive.
4. “I thought that in order to give my life in exchange for Will’s, in exchange for my parents’, that I needed to die, but I was wrong; I need to live my life in the light of their deaths.”
This epiphany transforms Tris’s understanding of sacrifice. Rather than literal death, she realizes honoring others means living meaningfully - a key thematic development in the story.
5. “Be brave, Tris.”
Peter’s unexpected words mirror Tobias’s earlier encouragement, creating suspense about his true motives. This brief but loaded statement serves as both a callback and a cliffhanger as the execution proceeds.