Roth, Veronica — Divergent 01 — Divergent
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
by Veronica, Roth,The chapter opens with Tris and Tobias (Four) walking to the dining hall after spending intimate time together, where they talked, kissed, and napped. Tris observes that Tobias seems lighter and more cheerful than before, though she remains wary of any disappointment from him. Upon arrival, they separate to avoid drawing attention, with Tris joining her friends Christina and Will at their table. The group discusses their future roles in Dauntless, with Christina considering a training position like Four’s, while Tris contemplates becoming an ambassador to other factions due to her transfer status. The conversation reveals tensions, particularly around Peter’s ambition to become a Dauntless leader.
Christina presses Tris about the leaders’ laughter during her fear landscape simulation, noticing Tris’s tell when she lies. Tris reluctantly admits her fear involved intimacy, sparking teasing from Christina and Will. The mood lightens as Christina shares her own fear of moths, leading to playful banter. This moment of camaraderie contrasts with Tris’s underlying anxiety about her Divergent identity and the leaders’ scrutiny. The scene highlights the characters’ vulnerabilities and the bonds forming between them, even as Tris struggles to fully trust her friends with her secrets.
The atmosphere shifts as Eric addresses the Dauntless crowd with a brief speech, mocking Erudite eloquence while praising Dauntless values like bravery and action. Though Tris doubts Eric’s sincerity, she finds solace in the faction’s ideals, which still resonate with her. The announcement of the initiation rankings electrifies the room, with Tris stunned to see her name at the top. The relief and joy she feels momentarily eclipse her fears about being Divergent, reinforcing her sense of belonging in Dauntless.
The chapter closes with Tris’s friends celebrating her achievement—Will hugs her, and Christina reacts with tearful excitement. The rankings reveal Uriah, Lynn, Marlene, and Peter as the other top initiates, with Tris noting Peter’s continued presence with resignation. This triumph marks a pivotal moment for Tris, validating her struggles during initiation. Yet the lingering threat of her Divergence and the faction’s corruption under leaders like Eric foreshadow ongoing challenges, even as she embraces her hard-won place among the Dauntless.
FAQs
1. How does Tris’s relationship with Tobias (Four) evolve in this chapter, and what does this reveal about her character development?
Answer:
In this chapter, Tris and Tobias share an intimate moment lying on his bed, talking and kissing before dozing off. Their interaction shows a significant shift in their relationship from mentor-student to romantic partners. Tris carefully observes Tobias for signs of disappointment but finds him lighter and more smiley afterward. This reveals Tris’s growing emotional openness and ability to balance vulnerability with strength—a stark contrast to her earlier reserved Abnegation self. Their separation before entering the dining hall also demonstrates her understanding of Dauntless social dynamics and her strategic thinking about appearances.2. What internal conflict does Tris face regarding her future career in Dauntless, and how does this connect to her Divergence?
Answer:
Tris struggles to choose a career path that won’t expose her Divergence. While considering roles like training initiates (like Four) or ambassador to other factions, she dismisses leadership positions because the leaders “would kill me if they discover what I am.” This conflict highlights the central tension of her identity: excelling in Dauntless while hiding her true nature. Her eventual choice to consider ambassadorial work—leveraging her transfer status—shows pragmatic adaptation, but her hesitation underscores the constant danger her Divergence poses in a faction that values conformity in its own way.3. Analyze the significance of the rankings announcement scene. How does it serve as both a resolution and a new source of tension?
Answer:
The rankings scene resolves Tris’s immediate goal of surviving initiation (she ranks first), validating her efforts and reinforcing her sense of belonging (“Divergent or not, this faction is where I belong”). However, it introduces new tensions: Peter’s presence in the top five ensures continued rivalry, and the public nature of the rankings heightens scrutiny on her—dangerous for a Divergent. The celebratory atmosphere (Wil’s bear hug, Christina’s tears) contrasts with Tris’s earlier anxiety, showing how quickly circumstances shift in Dauntless. Eric’s speech about Dauntless ideals also foreshadows future conflicts between the faction’s stated values and its corrupted leadership.4. How does the chapter use humor and dialogue to reveal character dynamics among Tris’s friend group?
Answer:
The banter about fear landscapes—Tris’s “intimacy” fear, Christina’s moth phobia, and Wil’s teasing (“Tough as cotton balls”)—serves multiple purposes: it lightens the tension after the stressful initiation, showcases Christina’s perceptiveness (noticing Tris’s lying “tell”), and reinforces friendships through shared vulnerability. Wil and Christina’s hand-holding demonstrates their evolving relationship, while their reactions to Tris’s ranking (Wil’s bear hug, Christina’s proud tears) solidify their loyalty. This dynamic contrasts with the competitive atmosphere surrounding the rankings, emphasizing Tris’s small but crucial support network.5. Critical Thinking: How does Eric’s speech about Dauntless ideals contrast with Tris’s personal beliefs and the faction’s reality?
Answer:
Eric’s speech emphasizes bravery, action, and freedom from fear—ideals Tris genuinely believes in, as shown by her internal reflection (“those ideals can still belong to me”). However, the irony is palpable: Eric, a former Erudite, embodies the faction’s corruption, and the Dauntless leadership’s brutality (e.g., killing Divergents) contradicts these values. Tris’s awareness of this hypocrisy (“he is more like an Erudite than anything else”) highlights her growing political consciousness. The scene suggests that factions’ stated principles often diverge from their practices, a theme central to the series’ critique of rigid social systems.
Quotes
1. “If anything, he seems lighter now than he was before. He smiles more, anyway.”
This observation about Tobias (“Four”) highlights a turning point in their relationship, showing how their intimacy has positively affected him despite the pressures of Dauntless initiation. It subtly contrasts his usual guarded demeanor.
2. “No matter how badly the leaders have warped the Dauntless ideals, those ideals can still belong to me.”
A pivotal moment where Tris asserts her personal ownership of Dauntless values despite corruption in leadership. This reflects the core theme of reclaiming identity and principles from institutional distortion.
3. “First. Divergent or not, this faction is where I belong.”
Tris’s triumphant realization upon seeing her #1 ranking encapsulates her hard-won sense of belonging. The phrase “Divergent or not” is particularly significant as it shows her beginning to reconcile her secret identity with her chosen faction.
4. “We believe in bravery. We believe in taking action. We believe in freedom from fear and in acquiring the skills to force the bad out of our world so that the good can prosper and thrive.”
Eric’s speech (though hypocritical) articulates the idealized Dauntless creed. This quote is important as it formally states the faction’s philosophy that drives both the society’s structure and Tris’s personal journey.
5. “You always bite the inside of your cheek when you lie. It’s your tell.”
Christina’s revelation about Tris’s lying habit adds depth to their friendship while underscoring the tension around Tris’s secrets. This small moment humanizes the characters amidst the high-stakes initiation drama.