
Roth, Veronica — Divergent 01 — Divergent
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
by Veronica, Roth,The chapter opens with the protagonist and Tobias being forcibly escorted into Abnegation headquarters at gunpoint, both injured and in pain. They are brought before Jeanine, the cold and calculating leader of the Erudite faction, who is preoccupied with securing a train. Jeanine immediately recognizes them as Divergent rebels, expressing particular surprise at Tobias’s involvement, given his previously clean record. The tension is palpable as she interrogates them, her demeanor a mix of amusement and condescension, while Tobias responds with defiance and sarcasm.
Jeanine reveals her ongoing experiments to develop a serum that can control the Divergent, who have thus far been immune to her mind-control techniques. She questions why most Divergent originate from Abnegation, a faction she views as weak-willed and inferior. Tobias counters by accusing her of cowardice for relying on manipulation rather than training an army herself. The exchange highlights the ideological clash between Jeanine’s ruthless pragmatism and Tobias’s moral outrage, underscoring the broader conflict between Erudite’s pursuit of control and Abnegation’s values of selflessness.
The conversation turns to Jeanine’s vision for a new world order, where wealth and prosperity are prioritized, albeit at the expense of the factionless and Abnegation. She plans to absorb the remaining Abnegation into the Dauntless army, further consolidating her power. Tobias condemns her actions as systematic murder and manipulation, while Jeanine dismisses his anger as a personal failing. The confrontation grows increasingly hostile, with Tobias threatening her life and Jeanine coldly reminding him of his father’s cruelty, suggesting he might secretly welcome his death.
The chapter concludes with Jeanine outlining her concerns about managing the Divergent among the Abnegation, whom she fears will resist her control. Her nervous habit of biting her nails mirrors the protagonist’s, subtly humanizing her despite her villainy. The scene leaves the protagonists in a precarious position, facing imminent danger as Jeanine’s plans for domination unfold. The chapter masterfully builds tension, blending personal animosity with larger societal stakes, and sets the stage for the escalating conflict.
FAQs
1. What is Jeanine’s primary motivation for capturing Tris and Tobias, and how does this connect to her broader goals for society?
Answer:
Jeanine captures Tris and Tobias primarily to test a new serum that will make Divergent individuals susceptible to her mind-control simulations. This connects to her broader goal of creating a “new, improved government” where she can maintain control over the population. She reveals that most Divergent come from Abnegation, which perplexes her, and she wants to eliminate this resistance to her authority. Her vision involves a society focused on wealth, comfort, and prosperity, achieved by absorbing Abnegation into the Dauntless army and marginalizing the factionless (Chapter 34).2. How does Tobias’s behavior in this chapter contrast with his usual demeanor, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Tobias displays uncharacteristic aggression and defiance toward Jeanine, mocking her intelligence and threatening her. This contrasts with his typically calm and strategic nature, revealing his deep anger toward Jeanine’s manipulation and violence. His outbursts—such as saying, “You will be dead before the day is out”—show his protective instincts toward Tris and his hatred of injustice. Tris even notes that she had “almost forgotten about this side of him,” highlighting how extreme circumstances can reveal hidden aspects of his personality (Chapter 34).3. Analyze Jeanine’s argument about Abnegation and the Divergent. Why does she view them as obstacles, and how does Tobias counter her claims?
Answer:
Jeanine views Abnegation and the Divergent as obstacles because they resist her simulations and challenge her control. She claims most Divergent are “weak-willed, God-fearing nobodies from Abnegation,” implying they are unfit for her vision of progress. Tobias counters by arguing that manipulating simulations requires a strong will, not weakness, and accuses Jeanine of taking the easy route by mind-controlling Dauntless instead of earning loyalty. He also condemns her hypocrisy, pointing out that her “improved” government relies on systematic murder (Chapter 34).4. What does Tris’s physical state during this encounter reveal about her resilience and priorities?
Answer:
Despite being wounded (with a bullet in her shoulder and blood trickling down her side), Tris focuses more on resisting Jeanine and protecting others than her own pain. She even considers attacking Jeanine but restrains herself due to her injury. Her sluggish voice and need to lean on Tobias show her physical limits, yet she still engages critically, questioning Jeanine’s logic (“All that wealth…doesn’t come from nowhere”). This highlights her mental toughness and selflessness, even in dire situations (Chapter 34).5. Evaluate the power dynamics in this scene. How does Jeanine assert control, and how do Tris and Tobias resist it?
Answer:
Jeanine asserts control through physical dominance (armed guards, a gun to Tris’s spine) and psychological manipulation, such as belittling Tobias’s Divergence and framing her actions as progress. Tris and Tobias resist verbally—Tobias through sarcasm and defiance (“Your powers of deductive reasoning are stunning”), and Tris by challenging Jeanine’s motives. Their resistance is largely rhetorical, as they’re physically trapped, but their refusal to submit intellectually undermines Jeanine’s authority. The tension peaks when Tobias predicts her downfall, showing that her control is not absolute (Chapter 34).
Quotes
1. “‘You, Tobias—or should I call you Four?—managed to elude me… Everything about you checked out: test results, initiation simulations, everything. But here you are nonetheless.’”
This quote highlights Jeanine’s frustration and surprise at Tobias’s ability to evade her detection despite his Divergence. It underscores the theme of resistance against control and the limitations of Erudite’s surveillance systems.
2. “‘Weak-willed is mind-controlling an army because it’s too hard for you to train one yourself.’”
Tobias’s sharp retort exposes the hypocrisy of Jeanine’s claim that Abnegation members are weak-willed. This quote is significant for its critique of Erudite’s methods and defense of Abnegation’s strength through self-control and moral conviction.
3. “‘Currently, the factionless are a drain on our resources… As is Abnegation. I am sure that once the remains of your old faction are absorbed into the Dauntless army, Candor will cooperate and we will finally be able to get on with things.’”
Jeanine’s coldly utilitarian perspective reveals her vision for societal reorganization, where inconvenient groups are either eliminated or weaponized. This quote demonstrates the dystopian logic driving her faction’s dominance.
4. “‘I would expect Marcus’s son to understand that not all those people are innocent.’”
This loaded statement creates tension by invoking Tobias’s abusive father while attempting to justify the attack on Abnegation. It’s significant for showing how Jeanine manipulates personal trauma to serve her political agenda.
5. “‘What I was going to say… is that soon, dozens of the Abnegation and their young children will be my responsibility to keep in order, and it does not bode well for me that a large number of them may be Divergent like yourselves, incapable of being controlled by the simulations.’”
This concluding threat reveals Jeanine’s ultimate fear - losing control over the population. The quote is pivotal as it sets up the stakes for the protagonists while exposing the fragility of Erudite’s power structure.