The Initiate: A Divergent Story That Explores the Theme of Divergence

The Initiate A Divergent Story 12: A Review

If you are a fan of the Divergent series by Veronica Roth, you might have heard of The Initiate, the second of four short stories told from Four's perspective. In this article, I will review this story and share my thoughts on why it is a great read for anyone who loves dystopian fiction.

The Initiate A Divergent Story 12

What is The Initiate?

The Initiate is a short story that provides readers with a glimpse into Tobias's Dauntless initiation experience. It was published in 2014 as part of Four: A Divergent Story Collection, along with three other stories: The Transfer, The Son, and The Traitor. You can also read it as a standalone story if you prefer.

A brief summary of the story

The story begins with Tobias choosing Dauntless as his faction after leaving Abnegation. He meets his fellow initiates, including Zeke, Shauna, and Amar, who becomes his mentor. He also encounters Eric, who is his rival and later his enemy. Tobias goes through various challenges and tests during his initiation, such as jumping off a moving train, fighting in a ring, getting his first tattoo, playing a game of late-night Dare, and facing his fears in a simulation. He also discovers that he is Divergent, which means he has an aptitude for more than one faction. This makes him a target for those who want to eliminate the Divergents. He decides to hide his divergence and change his name to Four, to represent his four fears.

The main characters and their roles

• Tobias Eaton/Four: He is the protagonist and narrator of the story. He is a brave, smart, and loyal Dauntless initiate who wants to escape his abusive father and find his true identity. He is also Divergent, which gives him an edge but also puts him in danger.

• Amar: He is Tobias's mentor and friend in Dauntless. He is a kind, funny, and charismatic leader who helps Tobias with his training and advises him on how to survive in Dauntless. He is also secretly gay and has a crush on Tobias.

• Eric: He is Tobias's nemesis and rival in Dauntless. He is a cruel, arrogant, and ambitious initiate who wants to become a leader and impose his rules on others. He is also working for Jeanine Matthews, the leader of Erudite who plans to overthrow Abnegation and wipe out the Divergents.

• Zeke: He is Tobias's friend and ally in Dauntless. He is a witty, adventurous, and daring initiate who likes to have fun and play pranks. He is also loyal to Tobias and helps him with his problems.

• Shauna: She is Tobias's friend and ally in Dauntless. She is a smart, strong, and confident initiate who excels in shooting and strategy. She is also attracted to Zeke and becomes his girlfriend.

What makes The Initiate a great read?

The Initiate is a great read for many reasons. Here are some of them:

The thrilling plot and the twists

The story is full of action, suspense, and surprises. It keeps you hooked from the first page to the last. You get to see how Tobias faces his fears, challenges himself, and grows as a person. You also get to witness how he deals with his enemies, his secrets, and his feelings. The story has many twists and turns that will keep you guessing and make you gasp. For example, you will find out who is behind the attacks on the Divergents, who is betraying Dauntless, and who is Four's real father.

The insight into Tobias's Dauntless initiation

The story gives you a deeper understanding of Tobias's Dauntless initiation, which is one of the most important events in his life. You get to see how he adapts to his new faction, how he makes friends and enemies, how he learns new skills and values, and how he earns his respect and reputation. You also get to see how he develops his relationship with Amar, who plays a crucial role in his journey. The story shows you the highs and lows of Tobias's initiation, the joys and pains, the successes and failures, and the choices and consequences.

The exploration of the theme of being Divergent

The story explores the theme of being Divergent, which is one of the main themes of the Divergent series. Being Divergent means being different, being special, being free. But it also means being dangerous, being hunted, being alone. The story shows you how Tobias discovers his divergence, how he reacts to it, how he hides it, and how he uses it. The story also shows you how divergence affects his identity, his relationships, and his destiny. The story raises questions about what it means to be Divergent, why it is important, and what it costs.

How does The Initiate fit into the Divergent series?

The Initiate is a prequel to the Divergent series, which means it takes place before the events of the main books. It is part of Four: A Divergent Story Collection, which tells the backstory of Four from his point of view. Here are some ways that The Initiate fits into the Divergent series:

The timeline and the connection to the other books

The story takes place two years before Divergent, the first book of the series. It covers Tobias's first year in Dauntless, from his Choosing Ceremony to his final ranking. It also sets up the stage for the events that will happen in Divergent, such as the attack on Abnegation, the simulation serum, and the war between factions. The story also connects to the other stories in Four: A Divergent Story Collection, such as The Transfer, which tells Tobias's life in Abnegation before he chose Dauntless; The Son, which tells Tobias's second year in Dauntless as a leader; and The Traitor, which tells Tobias's involvement in the rebellion against Erudite.

The similarities and differences between Tobias and Tris

The story shows you how Tobias is similar to Tris, the protagonist of the Divergent series. They both come from Abnegation, they both choose Dauntless, they both are Divergent, they both have four fears, they both are brave and selfless, they both fall in love with each other. The story also shows you how Tobias is different from Tris. He is older than her by two years, he has a different personality and background, he has a different mentor and friends, he has a different role and goal in Dauntless.

The hints and foreshadowing for the future events

Article with HTML formatting ---------------------------- Conclusion

The Initiate is a captivating and compelling story that gives you a new perspective on the Divergent series. It lets you dive into Tobias's mind and heart, and experience his Dauntless initiation with him. It also enriches your understanding of the Divergent world, the characters, and the themes. It is a must-read for any Divergent fan, and a great introduction for anyone who wants to start the series.

My personal opinion and rating of The Initiate

I loved reading The Initiate and I think it is one of the best stories in Four: A Divergent Story Collection. I enjoyed learning more about Tobias and his journey, and seeing him grow and change. I also liked the writing style, the pace, and the tone of the story. I think Veronica Roth did a great job of creating a thrilling and engaging story that complements the Divergent series. I would give it 5 stars out of 5.

Recommendations for other readers who might enjoy The Initiate

If you liked The Initiate, you might also enjoy these other books:

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: A dystopian trilogy that follows Katniss Everdeen, a girl who volunteers to participate in a deadly game where only one can survive.

• The Maze Runner by James Dashner: A dystopian series that follows Thomas, a boy who wakes up in a mysterious maze with no memory of his past.

• The Selection by Kiera Cass: A dystopian romance series that follows America Singer, a girl who enters a competition to win the heart of a prince.

• Legend by Marie Lu: A dystopian series that follows June, a prodigy who hunts down Day, a notorious criminal who killed her brother.

• Divergent by Veronica Roth: The first book of the Divergent series that introduces you to Tris Prior, a girl who chooses Dauntless and meets Four.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Divergent?

Divergent is a term used to describe people who have an aptitude for more than one faction in the Divergent world. Factions are groups of people who share the same values and beliefs. There are five factions: Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (the peaceful), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave), and Erudite (the intelligent). Divergents are considered dangerous and threatening by some people who want to maintain the faction system.

• Who is Four?

Four is the nickname of Tobias Eaton, the protagonist of The Initiate and one of the main characters of the Divergent series. He is a Dauntless leader and trainer who falls in love with Tris Prior. He is also Divergent and has four fears: heights, confinement, shooting an innocent person, and his father.

• Who is Amar?

Amar is Four's mentor and friend in Dauntless. He is a kind, funny, and charismatic leader who helps Four with his training and advises him on how to survive in Dauntless. He is also secretly gay and has a crush on Four. He is presumed dead after being attacked by Erudite agents, but he later reappears in The Traitor.

• Who is Eric?

Eric is Four's nemesis and rival in Dauntless. He is a cruel, arrogant, and ambitious initiate who wants to become a leader and impose his rules on others. He is also working for Jeanine Matthews, the leader of Erudite who plans to overthrow Abnegation and wipe out the Divergents. He is killed by Four in Divergent.

• What is Four: A Divergent Story Collection?

Four: A Divergent Story Collection is a collection of four short stories told from Four's perspective. It was published in 2014 by Veronica Roth, the author of the Divergent series. The stories are: The Transfer, The Initiate, The Son, and The Traitor. They cover Four's life from his Choosing Ceremony to his meeting with Tris Prior.

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