Divergent - Tris, Complex Character

     In this novel Tris is the main character. She is similar to Katniss in many ways, she is a girl protagonist, brave, smart, and has curiosity. In the beginning of the book Tris is talking about her life in Abnegation and how she is having a horrible time because she doesn't feel like she belong. One example of this is when Tris thinks, "I have tried to explain to him that my instincts are not the same as his-it didn't even enter my mind to give my seat to the Candor man on the bus-but he doesn't understand, it so easy for him. It should be that easy for me." This quote shows how Tris doesn't fit in with the instincts that the other kids have. Later in the novel Tris starts to change her personality to fit her faction and her true character shines out. Tris has more to her personality as we discover in the middle of the novel, one instance is when Tris is talking in a conversation, "What?" I [Tris] demand. 

"You're Divergent," he [Four] replies. Divergent means that you are brave, selfless, and smart. In the beginning of the book Tris didn't get to show these traits. In Abnegation she would have not shown her traits and she would have been timid to show them, however now Tris is more comfortable with her abilities and is getting use to showing who she is. 

     Tris interacts with other characters with timidness and little emotion. Being a past Abnegation Tris doesn't understand emotions and love. One example of this is when Tris is hitting on Four but doesn't realize it, "'Of course.'" He [Four] winks. I can't help it. I smile. Will clears his throat, but i don't want to turn away from Four, even when he walks back to his friends." In this quote we can see how Tris is attracted to Four even though she has no idea. She can't help but smile and tries to suppress her feelings but can't. Even in the end Tris still tries to show little emotion another example of trying to keep feelings out of her interactions is, "'Do they have to be so public?' I [Tris] say. 'She just kissed him.' Al frowns at me. In this interaction you can see how Tris is not to personal and likes to keep emotion on a minimum with other people. 

     The main character Tris develops a theme early in the story. The theme developed in this story is to be yourself no matter the status quot. Tris lives in the Abnegation faction which character type they focus on is selflessness. When teenagers turn 16 they have to decide what faction they want to live the rest of their lives in. Most teenagers chose their own faction because when they take a personality test the day before that whats recommended. Tris is a special case and is Divergent which means she gets recommended to Abnegation, Dauntless, and Erudite. At the choosing ceremony only a hand full of kids switch factions as I shared before. Tris doesn't want to live the rest of her life being selfless and not having any self indulgent moments so she decides to go to Dauntless. Her dad is furious and shocked by this decision. I know that the author (Veronica Roth) uses Tris to show people that you should be yourself no matter what society thinks. Tris defied what everyone thought and pressured her to chose to follow what she wants to do. This is a great example of being yourself and a lesson to be learned.