Chapter XXXI

Tris successfully finishes her final evaluation. Shortly after being congratulated by Eric, she is injected with an orange-brown liquid.  Eric tells her it is a tracking device in case one of the Dauntless go missing.  Although she doesn’t want to have the injection, she feels she can’t give them anything else to question her about so she complies. Why doesn't she tell Eric what she knows? She is risking her life taking this liquid. Tris finds out from Tobias that the Dauntless leaders were impressed she only had 7 obstacles to face. I don't know if this is correct, but maybe in the next book they might call her Seven. As she makes her way through the glass room above the Pit, she is congratulated by many. Tobias offers her a break from the crowds before the banquet by taking her to his room. This is probably a relief for Tris, I would need a break from this many people too! In his room, Tris becomes confused about her feelings for Tobias and starts to leave. Tobias makes it clear that this experience of caring for her is more than casual and something he’s never experienced before either.  Tobias accidentally brushes his fingers against Tris’s bandage, covering her new tattoo.  He is curious to see it and smiles when he realizes he has the same image of Abnegation.  She asks to see his and is surprised by the number of symbols he has tattooed from other factions.  Tobias explains to Tris his reason for the variety:

“We’ve all started to put down the virtues of the other factions in the process of bolstering our own.  I don’t want to do that.  I want to be brave, and selfless, and  smart, and kind, and honest.”

Tris feels more comfortable with Tobias and they both know they have feelings for each other that will have to wait as there is still danger ahead.  They share an embrace and Tris realizes she could overcome one of her fears of being with Tobias.