Insurgent
Chapter Thirty-Two
by Veronica, RothThe chapter opens with the protagonist waking up with a severe headache, haunted by the realization that her brother Caleb may have betrayed her to the Erudite faction. She grapples with the painful possibility that he lied about leaving Erudite and questions when his betrayal began—whether during the attack simulation, their escape from Amity, or even earlier. The emotional weight of this revelation is compounded by her physical discomfort, as she struggles to eat and maintain her composure while being guarded by Peter, who taunts her with his usual sarcasm.
As Peter escorts her to the showers, they encounter Tobias and his guards in the hallway. In a sudden, calculated move, Tobias collapses, disarms a guard, and shoots his way free, grabbing the protagonist’s arm to flee with her. Despite her disorientation and pain, she follows him, marveling at his Dauntless-like agility and precision. Tobias carries her when she falters, demonstrating both his physical capability and his unwavering determination to protect her, even as she questions his motives and the logic of their escape.
Tobias reveals that his primary goal isn’t to escape but to locate Erudite’s central control rooms, critical for disabling Jeanine’s simulation data. He destroys surveillance cameras to avoid detection and leads the protagonist into a supply closet, where he explains his mission. His urgency underscores the high stakes: destroying these control points is essential to preventing Jeanine from weaponizing the Dauntless transmitters again. The protagonist, though confused, trusts him implicitly, reflecting their deep bond and shared purpose.
The chapter ends with Tobias preparing to share critical information, his intense gaze conveying both desperation and resolve. The protagonist’s physical and emotional exhaustion contrasts with Tobias’s focused energy, setting the stage for their next move. The tension between their immediate danger and the larger rebellion against Erudite creates a gripping cliffhanger, leaving readers eager to see how their plan will unfold.
FAQs
1. What realization does Tris have about Caleb’s betrayal, and why is this significant?
Answer:
Tris realizes that Caleb must have been the one who informed Erudite about her Divergence, as only three people knew this fact: Tori, Tobias, and Caleb. This is significant because it represents a profound betrayal of family trust, showing Caleb chose faction loyalty over blood relations. Tris grapples with when this betrayal occurred—whether during the attack simulation, their escape from Amity, or even earlier when their father was alive. This moment forces Tris to confront the painful reality that her own brother may have been lying about leaving Erudite and could have been complicit in their plans all along.2. How does Tobias’s rescue attempt demonstrate both his strategic thinking and physical abilities?
Answer:
Tobias demonstrates exceptional strategic thinking by pretending to collapse to disarm his guard, then swiftly acquiring a weapon and creating a diversion. His physical abilities are highlighted through his precise combat moves (“perfect form” and “incredible speed”) and his ability to carry Tris while running. Importantly, his plan isn’t just an impulsive escape—he reveals he’s gathering intelligence about Erudite’s control rooms for a future invasion, showing long-term tactical planning. The chapter emphasizes his Dauntless qualities through these actions while still noting his limitations (“not strong, only strong enough to carry me”).3. Analyze the significance of the “Control-A” room and how it connects to the larger conflict in the story.
Answer:
The “Control-A” room represents a critical strategic target in the conflict between Erudite and the insurgents. Tobias specifically seeks it out because destroying such control rooms would eliminate Jeanine’s ability to activate the Dauntless transmitters and maintain the simulation control over them. This connects to the larger theme of information warfare in the story—who controls the systems controls the population. The frozen Erudite scientists staring at them through the glass panes symbolize how knowledge has been weaponized in their society, making these control rooms both literal and metaphorical centers of power in the faction conflict.4. How does the author use physical descriptions to reflect Tris’s psychological state in this chapter?
Answer:
Physical descriptions mirror Tris’s deteriorating mental state throughout the chapter. Her greasy hair and nausea at the thought of food reflect neglect and trauma. The persistent headache symbolizes her cognitive struggle to process Caleb’s betrayal (“My head pounds. I can’t make sense of it”). When Tobias carries her, the contrast between his strength and her weakness (“I stumble…pain slices into my head”) visually represents her emotional vulnerability. Even the flickering blue light in the supply closet creates an unstable atmosphere that parallels her fractured understanding of events. These physical details deepen our understanding of her psychological turmoil.5. Why is Peter’s presence significant in this chapter, and how does his interaction with Tris reveal their complex relationship?
Answer:
Peter’s presence creates tension as both a jailer and unexpected caretaker—he brings Tris food and water despite their antagonistic history. Their sarcastic exchange (“Don’t be so sure” about her being brain-dead) shows their relationship’s uncomfortable blend of hostility and reluctant familiarity. When danger comes, Peter instinctively protects Tris by dragging her away from gunfire, suggesting residual Dauntless camaraderie despite their conflicts. This interaction highlights how faction bonds complicate personal animosities in their world. Peter’s role also contrasts with Caleb’s betrayal, showing that in this society, enemies can sometimes act more honorably than family.
Quotes
1. “Why did I never wonder how Eric and Jeanine knew that I had aptitude for three factions? Why did it never occur to me that only three people in the world knew that particular fact: Tori, Caleb, and Tobias?”
This quote captures Tris’s moment of painful realization about her brother Caleb’s betrayal. It represents a key turning point in the chapter where she begins to grapple with the idea that her own family member may have conspired against her.
2. “My brother chose faction over blood. There has to be a reason. She must have threatened him. Or coerced him in some way.”
This shows Tris’s struggle to reconcile Caleb’s betrayal with her love for him. The quote is significant as it reveals both her pain and her attempt to rationalize his actions, highlighting the central theme of loyalty versus ideology.
3. “He seems designed specifically for speed and deadly accuracy. But not strength, not particularly—he is smart, but not strong. Only strong enough to carry me.”
This poignant observation about Tobias (Four) reveals both Tris’s admiration for him and her recognition of their deep connection. It’s a powerful moment that contrasts his physical abilities with his emotional commitment to her.
4. “I didn’t come here on some suicide mission. I came for two reasons. The first was to find Erudite’s two central control rooms so that when we invade, we’ll know what to destroy first to get rid of all the simulation data, so she can’t activate the Dauntless’s transmitters.”
This quote represents a key strategic revelation in the chapter, showing Tobias’s calculated plan against the Erudite leadership. It shifts the narrative from escape to resistance, setting up the larger conflict to come.