Identity Quotes in Divergent

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

I look at my reflection in the small mirror on the back wall and see a stranger. She is blond like me, with a narrow face like mine, but that's where the similarities stop. I do not have a black eye, and a split lip, and a bruised jaw. I am not as pale as a sheet. She can't possibly be me, though she moves when I move. (11.9)

If you wanted to do a paper on identity and material goods, you might want to look at mirrors in this book, mostly because Tris doesn't have Facebook. After some time with the Dauntless, Tris doesn't recognize herself, probably because she's still holding on to her old self-image as meek Abnegation girl.

Quote #5

I step to the side so I stand in front of the mirror. I see muscles that I couldn't see before in my arms, legs, and stomach. I pinch my side, where a layer of fat used to hint at curves to come. Nothing. Dauntless initiation has stolen whatever softness my body had. Is that good, or bad? (14.3)

Yet another mirror scene. Notice that Tris is still a little conflicted about this new identity thing. Now she recognizes this girl as her, but she's not sure that she likes the changes. Although, when you read this, did you have any confusion about whether you thought this was a good thing or not?

Quote #6

No, I was wrong; I didn't jump off the roof because I wanted to be like the Dauntless. I jumped off because I already was like them, and I wanted to show myself to them. I wanted to acknowledge a part of myself that Abnegation demanded that I hide. (21.11)

Tris here considers the idea that the Dauntless initiation didn't change her identity; it just allowed her to bring out a part of her identity that she had to hide before. She hasn't changed, she's just been given room to show her true identity. (But if you think this issue is settled, keep reading, because things are about to get confusing.)