Divergent By: Veronica Ross

The main character, Tris goes through many difficult challenges, challenges not only meant to challenge her physically but also mentally. During these physical and mental challenges Tris had to stay focused on the task but she also had to limit her capabilities. Being a Divergent you have a different mind that handles the simulation challenges differently. But throughout these tests she keeps one thing in mind, “A brave man never surrenders”.

Even after the challenges Tris has to go through, she has to face many social challenges. Since Tris is a Divergent she has a way of manipulating the simulations to her advantage. With this advantage she becomes the highest ranking initiate, better than Peter. Peter is also an initiate but is so competitive that he will not let anyone get in his way to becoming first in the rankings. When Edward was first in the rankings he was stabbed in the eye while everyone was sleeping. “When I look around, I see that only two faces are missing. Drew. And Peter. “ (Ross, pg. 203) This shows that Peter will do anything to remain in first place.

In the end of the book all of the Dauntless people are given a shot with a transmitter in it. This transmitter can control the people that are not Divergent. So one night everyone except Four and Tris get up, put clothes on and march down to the meeting hall. At the meeting hall everyone is given a weapon. Since everyone is synchronized Tris has a hard time staying with everyone else. Once the Dauntless soldiers start attacking Abnegation Tris and Four try to run off, but are caught. Tris has to fight for her life but also for Four’s life to survive. “‘I’ll give you another chance to tell me what I need to know before I shoot you somewhere worse.’” (Ross, pg.463) This proves that Tris will go as far as to shoot one of the people she knew to complete her goal of getting to the computers, that will bring the soldiers out of their trance. Peter was the unlucky one to be on the receiving side of her threats. She was under attack and didn’t surrender, just like Eric had said, “A brave man never surrenders”(Ross, pg 95).

Through the story Tris proves again and again that she will never give up. She will be brave until the end. This happens in the real world a lot, not only in wars, but also in achieving a goal. For example in rowing or in any other sport that is physically challenging, you have to fight against your body. You have to tell your body that you can continue even though you're exhausted and ready to give up. Until the end of a battle or to the end to of a soccer match. Never give up a fight until you can't fight anymore.