Roth, Veronica — Divergent 01 — Divergent
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
by Veronica, Roth,The chapter opens with the protagonist in an unusually cheerful mood, abandoning her usual reserved demeanor in favor of a more carefree attitude. She eagerly anticipates seeing Tobias, her romantic interest, at breakfast, but her excitement is dashed when he ignores her completely. His cold demeanor leaves her confused and hurt, leading her to question whether their previous intimate moment meant anything to him. Her emotional high quickly plummets as she struggles to reconcile her expectations with reality.
The narrative shifts to the initiates preparing for their fear landscape exercise, a simulation designed to confront their deepest fears. Lauren, their instructor, explains the process and reveals her own past fears, emphasizing that most people have 10–15 fears. The protagonist notes that Tobias, nicknamed “Four,” has only four fears, a remarkably low number. Despite her personal turmoil, she remains observant, correctly predicting that they won’t experience Tobias’s fear landscape, though she avoids explaining how she knows this.
During the fear landscape exercise, the protagonist watches her peers react to their assigned fears before it’s her turn. She initially feels confident, given her past ability to manipulate simulations, but Lauren’s fear of kidnapping triggers her own unresolved trauma. The simulation overwhelms her, causing her to panic and scream uncontrollably, a stark contrast to her usual composure. Her public breakdown leaves her humiliated, especially knowing Tobias witnessed her vulnerability.
The chapter concludes with the protagonist grappling with her failure and the emotional fallout. Her inability to control the simulation shakes her self-assurance, and Tobias’s apparent indifference compounds her distress. The experience forces her to confront her fears—both in the simulation and in her personal life—highlighting her internal struggle between strength and vulnerability. The chapter underscores her complex emotions and the challenges she faces in balancing her identity with her growing relationships.
FAQs
1. How does Tris’s emotional state change throughout the chapter, and what events trigger these shifts?
Answer:
Tris begins the chapter in an unusually joyful mood, smiling uncontrollably and dressing more confidently, which stems from her romantic encounter with Tobias (Four) the previous day. Her happiness is evident when she waves at him eagerly in the dining hall. However, her mood plummets when Tobias ignores her completely, making her question their relationship. Later, during the fear landscape simulation, her terror at being “kidnapped” (which triggers memories of her near-death experience in the chasm) leaves her visibly shaken and humiliated, especially because Tobias witnesses her breakdown. These emotional swings highlight her vulnerability and the instability of her new relationship.2. Why is the revelation about Four having only four fears significant, and how does it affect Tris?
Answer:
Lauren mentions that the lowest number of fears in recent years is four, which Tris immediately connects to Tobias’s nickname, “Four.” This revelation underscores his exceptional bravery and self-control, as the average initiate has 10–15 fears. Tris initially feels proud of his uniqueness but becomes frustrated when he continues to ignore her, making his aloofness even more painful. The contrast between his emotional distance and his fearless reputation deepens her sense of rejection and confusion about their relationship.3. How does the fear landscape simulation differ from previous simulations Tris has experienced, and why does she fail this one?
Answer:
Unlike earlier simulations where Tris could manipulate or resist the scenarios due to her Divergence, this fear landscape forces her to confront Lauren’s pre-programmed fear of kidnapping. However, Tris’s trauma from nearly being thrown into the chasm by the Dauntless leaders overwhelms her, transforming the simulation into her own fear. She panics, screams, and loses control—a stark contrast to her usual composure. This failure reveals that even Divergents have limits when faced with deeply personal fears, and it exposes her vulnerability in front of her peers and Tobias.4. Analyze the significance of Tobias’s behavior toward Tris in this chapter. What might explain his sudden coldness?
Answer:
Tobias’s avoidance of Tris—ignoring her in the cafeteria and giving her an “unfeeling” stare—suggests internal conflict. Possible reasons include regret over their kiss, fear of exposing their relationship (which could jeopardize his authority as an instructor), or concern about her safety if others discover their connection. His aloofness may also stem from his Abnegation upbringing, which discouraged emotional displays. This behavior creates tension, as Tris interprets it as rejection, while the true motives remain ambiguous, adding complexity to their relationship dynamics.5. How does Christina’s comment about Four’s potential fears reflect the initiates’ perceptions of him, and why does Tris react defensively?
Answer:
Christina jokes that Four might fear “marshmallows and really bright sunrises,” mocking his tough demeanor and implying he overcompensates for hidden vulnerabilities. This reflects the initiates’ curiosity about his fears and their tendency to stereotype him. Tris reacts defensively (“It won’t be him”) because she alone knows the truth about his fears (e.g., his abusive father) from his fear landscape. Her sharp response hints at her protectiveness and intimate knowledge of him, which she cannot reveal, further isolating her from her friends.
Quotes
1. “I am silly and light. Every time I push the smile from my face, it fights its way back.”
This opening line captures Tris’s uncharacteristically joyful mood after her intimate moment with Tobias, showing a rare vulnerability and emotional openness that contrasts with her usual guarded demeanor.
2. “I feel myself acting like a lunatic, but I can’t stop. It would be like refusing to breathe.”
This quote powerfully conveys the intensity of Tris’s feelings for Tobias, illustrating how love makes her behave in ways that defy her normal self-control and Dauntless discipline.
3. “In recent years, the lowest number someone has gotten is four.”
This revelation about Tobias’s exceptionally low number of fears (which earned him his nickname) highlights his remarkable mental strength while creating dramatic irony - the reader knows this refers to him while his peers don’t.
4. “I scream again—not for help, because no one will help me, but because that’s what you do when you’re about to die and you can’t stop it.”
This visceral moment during the fear simulation reveals Tris’s deep trauma from nearly being killed in the chasm, showing how her past experiences continue to haunt her despite her Divergent abilities.
5. “And everyone saw me. Tobias saw me.”
The chapter’s poignant closing lines underscore Tris’s humiliation and vulnerability after failing the simulation, particularly her concern about Tobias witnessing her breakdown, which contrasts sharply with her earlier joyful anticipation of seeing him.