One moment from "Divergent" by Veronica Roth that epitomizes the personality of Tris (the main character) is when she is in the training room with the other initiatives in chapter thirteen. In this scene, Al (an initiative) isn't doing so well at hitting a target with knives because he is flinching. Eric decides to make him stand against the target while knives are thrown near him. Tris thinks this is unfair so she says to Eric, "Any idiot can stand in front of a target... It doesn't prove anything except that you're bullying us. Which, as I recall, is a sign of cowardice" (Roth 162). In this quote, Tris is standing up for her teammate. This shows that she cares about others, which is a sign of selflessness.
Not only does this show her empathy for others, but it is a good example of how she isn't afraid of truth, whether it is for or against authority. In this part of the book, she clearly finds the punishment for Al unfair. Her statement is very honest.
The real question here is: "Why do these observations matter?"
Earlier in the book, the readers are introduced to five factions that have different characteristics. "Candor" values honesty and "Abnegation" values selflessness. Both characteristics of these factions are shown in Tris' response to Eric, which can support the idea that Tris is truly Divergent.
This is interesting not only did you use one of my favorite lines from Divergent, yet you also said why the characteristics you describe are important and matter in the plot of the story and how it can affect the story. It makes characterization have a purpose to use, and you do the work of thinking it up for us.
ReplyDeleteI like how you included the values of Candor and Abnegation, but you might also want to add the rest of the factions as well. I also feel that your characterization is correct but you could also say she is brave because like Tobias said bravery and selflessness is basically the same thing. I think that this is important to add since she is a Dauntless initiate.
ReplyDeleteDivergent sounds like a really cool book! I need to join the bandwagon and read it. I like your blog.
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