Insurgent
Chapter Twenty-Seven
by Veronica, RothThe chapter opens with Tris struggling to cope with the aftermath of Marlene’s death, seeking solitude in the Dauntless compound to escape the noisy memorial in the Pit. She reflects on how Jeanine targeted young Dauntless members, knowing their deaths would deeply affect the faction. As Tris presses her forehead against a cold stone wall, Christina approaches her, visibly exhausted and emotional. Christina admits she now believes Tris had no choice but to shoot Will in self-defense during the simulation, expressing her intention to forgive her. Tris feels a mix of relief and anger, frustrated that Christina needed proof to trust her.
Their conversation escalates as Tris sarcastically mocks Christina’s delayed forgiveness, her voice cracking with emotion. Overwhelmed, she breaks down sobbing, and Christina embraces her tightly. The physical connection reminds Tris of Christina’s strength during their initiation, and they kneel together on the floor, clinging to each other. Christina clarifies that she has already forgiven Tris, marking a pivotal moment of reconciliation between the two friends. The scene highlights the emotional toll of guilt, loss, and the fragile rebuilding of trust.
Later, Tris enters the Dauntless cafeteria, where the atmosphere is tense and silent. The Dauntless members regard her with fear or resentment, aware of her Divergence and the power it holds over their lives. Lynn, usually fierce and confrontational, approaches Tris with uncharacteristic vulnerability, thanking her for saving Hector while mourning Marlene. The brief, awkward hug between them underscores the complexity of their grief and gratitude. Tris then joins Zeke and Uriah, who reveal that Shauna has distanced herself from Uriah after learning he is Divergent.
The chapter closes with Uriah and Zeke discussing Shauna’s distrust, fueled by factional prejudices. Uriah’s lethargic demeanor and Shauna’s avoidance reflect the growing divisions within Dauntless. Tris observes the fractured relationships around her, emphasizing the broader conflict between Divergents and the faction system. The chapter poignantly captures the personal and collective struggles of the characters as they navigate loss, loyalty, and identity in a world increasingly defined by fear and suspicion.
FAQs
1. How does Christina’s perspective on Tris’s actions change in this chapter, and what causes this shift?
Answer:
Christina finally accepts that Tris had no choice but to shoot Will during the simulation attack. This shift occurs after Christina witnesses the controlled simulation firsthand, realizing the victims couldn’t see or hear their rescuers—just as Will couldn’t during his attack on Tris. The chapter states: “You were right. They couldn’t hear you, couldn’t see you. Just like Will…” This tangible proof overrides her previous disbelief, allowing her to move toward forgiveness. However, Tris reacts with anger, feeling Christina should have trusted her word earlier.2. Analyze the significance of Lynn’s interaction with Tris in the cafeteria. What does this reveal about Dauntless dynamics post-attack?
Answer:
Lynn’s awkward gratitude—thanking Tris for saving Hector while clarifying it doesn’t absolve Marlene’s death—reflects the fractured loyalties and grief in Dauntless. Her uncharacteristic vulnerability (biting her lip, avoiding eye contact) contrasts with her usual fierceness, showing how the attacks have destabilized even strong personalities. The one-armed hug and quick retreat demonstrate Dauntless’s struggle to reconcile emotions with their tough exterior. This moment also highlights the divisive impact of Jeanine’s tactics, as characters grapple with who to blame (Tris vs. the system).3. How does the chapter portray the social isolation faced by Divergent characters? Provide two examples.
Answer:
The isolation is starkly depicted through:- Public Perception: Tris notes the cafeteria falls silent when she enters, as Dauntless members fear her power to “let Jeanine kill one of them.” Many likely want her to sacrifice herself, mirroring Abnegation’s self-sacrifice values she left behind.
- Personal Relationships: Uriah reveals Shauna avoids him after learning he’s Divergent, joking she fears “catching it.” Zeke describes her paranoid questioning about Uriah’s loyalty, showing how fear erodes trust. These examples illustrate how Jeanine’s propaganda has weaponized difference, turning Divergence into a social contagion.
4. Evaluate how physical spaces in the chapter (the Pit, hallway, cafeteria) reflect emotional states.
Answer:
Roth uses settings to mirror internal turmoil:- The Pit’s noise contrasts with Tris’s desire for silence, emphasizing her emotional overload after Marlene’s death.
- The rough, cool hallway wall parallels Tris’s numbness; she presses against it as if seeking stability while her “legs get weak” from grief.
- The cafeteria’s tension materializes in the silence that follows Tris, transforming a communal space into one of judgment. These spaces become extensions of the characters’ psyches—the hallway’s isolation enables Christina’s private apology, while the cafeteria’s exposure heightens Tris’s vulnerability to collective scrutiny.
5. What does Tris’s dual reaction to Christina’s apology reveal about her character development?
Answer:
Tris’s response—initial relief followed by anger—showcases her complex trauma. While she values Christina’s forgiveness, her sarcastic retort (“How fortunate for me…”) exposes unresolved pain from being doubted. This duality reflects her growth: she’s self-aware enough to recognize Christina’s effort (calling it “relief”) but still wounded enough to lash out. Her breakdown afterward (“I start sobbing”) reveals the cumulative toll of guilt, pressure as a Divergent, and loss. The moment culminates in mutual vulnerability as they kneel together, suggesting Tris is learning to balance strength with emotional honesty.- Public Perception: Tris notes the cafeteria falls silent when she enters, as Dauntless members fear her power to “let Jeanine kill one of them.” Many likely want her to sacrifice herself, mirroring Abnegation’s self-sacrifice values she left behind.
Quotes
1. “You told me you had to do it, or he would have shot you, and I didn’t believe you. I believe you now, and … I’m going to try to forgive you.”
This quote marks a pivotal moment of reconciliation between Christina and the protagonist, addressing the guilt and trauma surrounding Will’s death. It represents the theme of trust and forgiveness in extreme circumstances, showing Christina’s growth in understanding the harsh realities of their world.
2. “If this were Abnegation, no Divergent would be sitting here right now.”
This thought from Tris highlights the cultural differences between factions, particularly Abnegation’s self-sacrificial nature versus Dauntless’s survival instinct. It underscores the moral dilemma facing the Divergent and the weight of their choices in the conflict with Jeanine.
3. “The point is, don’t think that my saying this means anything about Marlene, but … thank you for saving Hec.”
Lynn’s emotionally charged thank you, despite her grief over Marlene, shows the complex relationships and loyalties within Dauntless. This moment reveals how personal connections transcend faction conflicts, even in the midst of tragedy.
4. “She found out I’m Divergent. And she doesn’t want to catch it.”
Uriah’s bitter remark about Shauna’s reaction to his Divergence illustrates the growing fear and prejudice against the Divergent within their own faction. This quote demonstrates how Jeanine’s propaganda has successfully turned the Dauntless against their own members.