Roth, Veronica — Divergent 01 — Divergent
CHAPTER TEN
by Veronica, Roth,The chapter opens with the protagonist waking from a nightmare in which she fails to save Christina from falling, only to discover her mattress vandalized with the word “Stiff” by Peter, a fellow Dauntless initiate. Their tense exchange reveals Peter’s animosity, as he coldly asserts they will never truly belong to the same faction. Despite her anger, the protagonist resists retaliating, aided by Al, who helps her clean up and advises ignoring Peter’s provocations. Their conversation shifts to Al’s guilt over knocking out another initiate, Will, during training, highlighting the brutal nature of Dauntless initiation.
The protagonist’s anxiety escalates when she learns she must fight Peter in the training arena. Christina and Al express concern, suggesting she take a fall to avoid severe injury, but their lack of faith in her abilities stings. Observing Molly’s defeat against Edward, the protagonist mentally assesses Peter’s strengths—his speed, ruthlessness, and tactical precision—and acknowledges her own lack of combat skill. Though tempted to feign unconsciousness, she resolves to fight, fearing the consequences of being ranked last among the initiates.
As the fight begins, Peter taunts her, demanding tears or begging, while Four and Eric watch from the sidelines. The protagonist’s impulsive kick is easily countered, and Peter knocks her to the ground. Eric impatiently orders Peter to stop toying with her, prompting a swift and brutal attack. A punch to her jaw leaves her disoriented, followed by a kick to the stomach that steals her breath and sends her collapsing in pain. The scene underscores the merciless nature of Dauntless training and the protagonist’s vulnerability.
The chapter emphasizes the psychological and physical toll of initiation, as the protagonist grapples with bullying, self-doubt, and the pressure to prove herself. Peter’s cruelty and her friends’ well-meaning but discouraging advice amplify her isolation. The fight’s outcome leaves her humiliated and injured, foreshadowing greater challenges ahead. The narrative captures the tension between resilience and despair, as she confronts the harsh realities of her new faction.
FAQs
1. How does Peter antagonize Tris in this chapter, and what does this reveal about their relationship?
Answer:
Peter spray-paints “Stiff” across Tris’s mattress and bedding, a derogatory term referencing her Abnegation roots. When confronted, he smugly denies responsibility while implying they’ll never truly belong to the same faction (“you and I will never be in the same faction”). This reveals deep-seated hostility rooted in faction prejudice (Dauntless vs. Abnegation) and Peter’s desire to assert dominance. His actions—combined with his feigned innocence—highlight his manipulative nature and the psychological warfare initiates face, foreshadowing their physical confrontation later in the chapter.2. Analyze Tris’s internal conflict regarding her fight with Peter. How do her fears and determination shape her approach?
Answer:
Tris oscillates between self-doubt and resolve. She acknowledges Peter’s physical advantages (height, strength, ruthlessness) and her own inexperience, even considering Al’s suggestion to feign unconsciousness. Yet, her pride and desperation to avoid last rank push her to fight (“I can’t afford not to try”). Her anger at Peter’s taunts (“Just one little tear”) overrides fear, triggering impulsive attacks (the failed kick). This conflict underscores her Dauntless transformation—balancing survival instincts with the courage to confront bullies, even when outmatched. The chapter emphasizes her mental resilience despite physical setbacks.3. What role do secondary characters (Al, Christina, Four, Eric) play in this chapter’s key events?
Answer:
Secondary characters amplify tension and themes:- Al and Christina represent support but low expectations, advising Tris to concede, which fuels her determination to prove herself.
- Four observes silently, his disapproval (a “sour” expression) hinting at his disdain for Eric’s brutality and perhaps concern for Tris.
- Eric embodies Dauntless’s harshness, pressuring Peter to escalate violence (“Stop playing with her”). Their interactions highlight the faction’s toxic hierarchy and the initiates’ isolation—no one intervenes on Tris’s behalf, reinforcing her need for self-reliance.
4. How does the author use physical violence in this chapter to develop broader themes?
Answer:
Violence serves multiple purposes:- Initiation Ritual: The mandated fights (like Tris vs. Peter) test physical and mental endurance, critiquing Dauntless’s glorification of aggression.
- Power Dynamics: Peter’s dominance (kicking Tris, mocking her) mirrors societal bullying, where strength equals control.
- Character Growth: Tris’s refusal to back down, despite pain, signals her evolving identity—Abnegation humility clashes with Dauntless defiance. The graphic descriptions (Tris’s ringing ears, bruised jaw) make the stakes visceral, underscoring the brutality of faction transitions.
5. Evaluate the significance of Tris’s nightmare at the chapter’s opening. How does it connect to later events?
Answer:
The nightmare foreshadows her Divergent identity and ongoing struggles:- Symbolism: Christina’s fall represents Tris’s fear of failing to protect others (later mirrored in Al’s advice to “ignore” Peter). Being pushed off the ledge parallels her vulnerability in the fight.
- Divergent Hint: The shout that “only someone Divergent can help” subtly hints at Tris’s uniqueness, which becomes central to the plot.
- Emotional State: The sweat and shaking reflect her anxiety about Dauntless initiation, setting the tone for the day’s challenges (Peter’s bullying, the fight). The dream’s chaos mirrors the unpredictability of her new life.
- Al and Christina represent support but low expectations, advising Tris to concede, which fuels her determination to prove herself.
Quotes
1. “‘And you and I wil never be in the same faction.’ I shake my head as I remove my pil owcase from the pil ow. Don’t get angry. He wants to get a rise out of me; he won’t.”
This quote highlights the factional prejudice and personal animosity Tris faces from Peter, setting up the central conflict of the chapter. It also reveals Tris’s determination to control her emotions despite provocation.
2. “‘Ignore him,’ Al says. ‘He’s an idiot, and if you don’t get angry, he’l stop eventual y.’ […] ‘At least they won’t antagonize you.’ ‘There are better ways too.’”
This exchange underscores the contrasting perspectives on handling conflict within Dauntless—Al advocates for passive avoidance while Tris hints at the value of earning respect through action. It foreshadows her eventual confrontation with Peter.
3. “I stare at my name on the board. My cheeks feel hot. Al and Christina are just trying to help, but the fact that they don’t believe, not even in a tiny corner of their minds, that I have a chance against Peter bothers me.”
This internal monologue captures Tris’s wounded pride and growing determination to prove herself, marking a pivotal moment where she rejects others’ low expectations of her.
4. “‘Come on, Stiff,’ he says, his eyes glinting. ‘Just one little tear. Maybe some begging.’ The thought of begging Peter for mercy makes me taste bile, and on an impulse, I kick him in the side.”
This climactic moment reveals both Peter’s sadistic taunting and Tris’s defiant spirit—her visceral refusal to submit even when outmatched in physical combat.
5. “‘Stop playing with her,’ snaps Eric. ‘I don’t have al day.’ Peter’s mischievous look disappears. His arm twitches and pain stabs my jaw […] I don’t remember his fist coming at me.”
This brutal shift demonstrates the merciless Dauntless initiation culture under Eric’s leadership, where cruelty is encouraged and Tris’s vulnerability is laid bare.