Divergent Chapter 19 Quotes
Divergent Chapter 19 Quotes
How we cite the quotes:
(Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote 1
I laugh a little. "Calm down? Calm down? That's my family they're talking about, that's my faction!"
"No, it's not." There are dark circles under his eyes; he looks exhausted. "It's your old faction, and there's nothing you can do about what they say, so you might as well just ignore it." (19.18-9)
Will prevents Tris from fighting with Molly and Peter. Molly's been lying to the Erudite newspaper about how terribly abused Tris was by her family, so naturally Tris wants to attack. But think of it this way: Tris were a good Abnegation member, would she want to attack? Probably not; so, by attacking, Tris shows how far she's traveled from the family that she wants to protect.
Quote 2
At home I used to spend calm, pleasant nights with my family. My mother knit scarves for the neighborhood kids. My father helped Caleb with his homework. There was a fire in the fireplace and peace in my heart, as I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing, and everything was quiet.
I have never been carried around by a large boy, or laughed until my stomach hurt at the dinner table, or listened to the clamor of a hundred people all talking at once. Peace is restrained; this is free. (19.72-3)
Tris remembers, once again, how nice things were in the Abnegation household—firelight, knitting, family, reading A Game of Thrones. But now she's realizing that Dauntless has some awesome stuff to offer, too. She's starting to enjoy her Dauntless friendships—being carried, laughing, being surrounded by people, watching Game of Thrones on HBO. Has friendship replaced family?
Quote 3
"Were you even listening?" The heat in my cheeks is gone, and my breaths are more even now.
"Your stupid ex-faction isn't just insulting Abnegation anymore. They're calling for an overthrow of the entire government."
Will laughs. "No, they're not. They're arrogant and dull, and that's why I left them, but they aren't revolutionaries. They just want more say, that's all, and they resent Abnegation for refusing to listen to them."
"They don't want people to listen, they want people to agree," I reply. "And you shouldn't bully people into agreeing with you." I touch my palms to my cheeks. "I can't believe my brother joined them." (19.20-2)
Dauntless power usually involves destroying stuff (or people); Erudite power seems to involve bullying people into agreeing with you (or controlling their minds, which is practically the same thing). But notice all the other themes floating around power: there's the society issue (which faction should rule?) and the family issue (how could Caleb join those Erudite who want power?).