Divergent: Chapter 13 Summary & Analysis

The next morning, Tris prepares for target practice. Eric announces that today is the last day of stage one: afterwards, the initiates will move on to tougher challenges. Eric shows Tris and her peers how to throw knives. Tris notices that Eric seems to be in a particularly bad mood. He keeps glaring at Four, who’s also present for the training.

After 30 minutes, all the trainees have learned to throw their knives, with the exception of Al. Eric orders Al to retrieve his knife from behind the target—while the other recruits continue throwing theirs. Al refuses, and Eric then orders Al to stand in front of the target. Four mutters that this exercise isn’t really necessary, but Eric reminds Four that he (Eric) is in charge. Eric orders Al to stand by the target while Four hurls knives. Tris protests that the punishment is useless—Eric is just bullying Al unnecessarily. Eric laughs and orders Tris to switch places with Al. Tris does so, reluctantly. She stands by the target while Four throws knives—at first with her eyes closed, then (after Four goads her) with them open. Four throws a knife, and it nicks Tris’s ear. Tris can tell that Four did this on purpose.

Eric tells the other recruits that Tris is “daring,” and leaves. Tris angrily confronts Four and asks him why hurt her. Four smiles quietly and explains that he’s just done her a huge favor. Tris continues to be angry with Four, and Four asks her, “If I wanted to hurt you, don’t you think I would have already?”