Divergent Chapter 37 Quotes
Divergent Chapter 37 Quotes
How we cite the quotes:
(Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote 1
"People tend to overestimate my character," I say quietly. "They think that because I'm small, or a girl, or a Stiff, I can't possibly be cruel. But they're wrong."
I shift the gun three inches to the left and fire at his arm.
His screams fill the hallway. Blood spurts from the wound, and he screams again, pressing his forehead to the ground. I shift the gun back to his head, ignoring the pang of guilt in my chest. (37.73-5)
To nicely tie up things, here we have Tris acting in one way and feeling another way. She says she'll be cruel but even here she feels bad about it. Notice how that comes at the end: she lets us think that her identity is "I am cruel" but then reminds us at the end that she's really not a mean person. Or is she? How many cruel things can she do before she starts being a cruel person?
Quote 2
"What makes you think you have the right to shoot someone?" my father says as he follows me up the path. We pass the tattoo place. Where is Tori now? And Christina?
"Now isn't the time for debates about ethics," I say.
"Now is the perfect time," he says, "because you will soon get the opportunity to shoot someone again, and if you don't realize —"
"Realize what?" I say without turning around. "That every second I waste means another Abnegation dead and another Dauntless made into a murderer? I've realized that. Now it's your turn."
"There is a right way to do things."
"What makes you so sure that you know what it is?" I say.
"Please stop fighting," Caleb interrupts, his voice chiding. "We have more important things to do right now." (37.98-104)
Honestly, the only person we disagree with here is Caleb. They are invading the Dauntless compound and may have to kill people (or die) to save lives? This is the perfect time for an ethical debate. It could save you a whole lot of guilt later.