Tris and Al's friendship is becoming increasingly stranger with every meeting. The way that Roth has focused a lot on Al is striking to me because I highly doubt he will make it past round two. The awkwardness of their friendship is really beginning to bother me, yet something tells me that Al has an important role in the book for some reason. Perhaps as a member of the Factionless, Al will prove to be an important character. Or maybe he is very strong mentally, but it doesn't seem to be so since he cried the very first night in Dauntless.
Four clearly is developing a bias against the antagonists. I reach this conclusion from statements like "if you intend to secure yourself a high rank, I suggest you don't make it a habit of losing to low-ranked opponents". Molly, Drew, and Peter are definitely fed up with this, and in turn are becoming more and more violent and cruel. Molly's threat towards Tris is frightening, and I know Molly won't forget to take revenge. Peter and Drew already seems to have already taken his revenge against the system, as it can be speculated that they are the assailants behind Edward's stabbing. I am anticipating a violent act from Molly any time in the next half of the book.
Will's information regarding the faction manifestos is also intriguing to me. The Dauntless faction has recently felt the winds of reform, with Eric being the new, and Four being the old. As with Eric, the new system values individual physical strength, while the old values teamwork and acts of courage whether physical or otherwise. I feel as if the Utopian system is crumbling as the hands of those who feel specific fervor for a certain trait in their faction, rather that supporting diverse traits that the faction encompasses.
Tris is becoming a true member of the Dauntless, judging by her willingness to unwaveringly get up and run with the Dauntless-born to the Hancock Building to participate in an unknown but likely dangerous stunt. The already initiated members of Dauntless don't seem afraid when they glide down from the roof of the skyscraper on a cable, and this provokes Tris to question if "people just get better at hiding their fear" after initiation is over. I suppose this might be true, although I find it hard to believe that I could overcome my fear of heights. It is very frightening for me to imagine participating in such a feat, since the idea of falling is quite horrifying. I imagine it to be much like those dreams when it feels as if the ground is rushing closer and that at any minute you might hit the ground, but you don't know when because you can't see. The idea is fully tantalizing.
I really am liking how Tris is able to fit in with the other initiates! She is finding a place amongst the Dauntless and has come a long way since choosing the faction out of three factions that suited her in their own ways. Those who are already initiated have a sense of teamwork and companionship, but how will that be affected by the new initiates being trained under the newer system? The faction will truly crumble if teamwork does not become a priority.
Another occurrence I noted was the way Tris changed in the eyes of those around her after her experience. Even immediately before she glided from the building, Zeke had referred to her as "Stiff". Shauna points out afterwards that she won't refer to her as "Stiff" anymore, but as Tris. This name change symbolizes a real turning point for Tris-- she is on her way to being 100% pure Dauntless.
Stage 2 of initiation sound like it would be psychologically very burdensome yet interesting. To be able to have experiences within your mind but not physically suffer the consequences is quite a futuristic idea. I honestly have no clue what sort of ordeal would be in store for me, but Tris's experience is sickening in the least. Judging by Four's comments following the simulation, however, I feel like the mental and emotional challenges will propel Tris closer to the top spot of the ranking system. It is odd that although she was visibly shaken by the event, she was still three times faster than most other initiates. I wonder if physical strength correlated to a poor time, whereas the physically weaker had a better time since they were more inclined to give up fighting earlier. I suppose time will show if my theory is correct.
I am beginning to identify many contrasting features between the dauntless born and initiates like Peter and Molly. The Dauntless born are well humored and jocular all the time, even in the faces of frightful situations. Peter and Molly, on the other hand are serious and have poor intentions in many of their actions. I do not believe that this way of acting will bid the antagonists well as the initiation process progresses. But then again, crime apparently goes unpunished under the leadership of Eric.
My absolutely most favorite quotation would from this chapter would be: "No, Tris. You look as tough as nails." Tris and Four really have a beautiful friendship that I think has the potential to blossom into a relationship. I do not see this as the central theme of the book, however. It is merely garnishment to a greater central theme that I will be able to formulate in my mind better as I read ahead.
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