“I might be in love with you. I didn't mean to, but I think I am.”
— Tobias 'Four' Eaton to Tris Prior, expressing his feelings for her.
Archivist's Choice
Four: A Divergent Story Collection
Veronica Roth (2014)
Genre
Fantasy / Science Fiction / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
180 min
Key Themes
See below
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Before Tris, a sixteen-year-old Tobias renames himself 'Four' and plunges into Dauntless, battling his past and the corrupt faction system, only to find his true self unlocked by a fearless initiate two years later.
Synopsis
Tobias Eaton, an Abnegation leader's son, chooses Dauntless at age sixteen, two years before Tris Prior arrives. He renames himself 'Four' and navigates the Dauntless initiation, proving himself capable. He deals with his traumatic past, his fear of his abusive father, Marcus, and his new identity. As he becomes a Dauntless leader, Four sees the growing unrest and manipulation by Erudite, realizing the faction system is corrupt. He uncovers secrets about the system's origins and the threat of an Erudite takeover. When Tris Prior arrives, her perspective and bravery give Four hope for a revolution and a chance to reclaim his true self, Tobias. This forms an alliance that challenges the entire societal structure.
Reading time
180 min
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Introspective, Suspenseful, Action-packed, Romantic
✓ Read this if...
You're a fan of the 'Divergent' series and want to delve deeper into Tobias's backstory and motivations.
✗ Skip this if...
You haven't read 'Divergent' or prefer original narratives over companion prequels.
Plot Summary
The Transfer: Abnegation's Son
Tobias Eaton, the 16-year-old son of Abnegation leader Marcus Eaton, faces his faction choice. Haunted by his father's severe abuse, Tobias feels trapped in Abnegation. During the Choosing Ceremony, he picks Dauntless, a decision that shocks his faction. In Dauntless, he renames himself 'Four' to cut ties with his past and his father's identity. He wants to prove his strength and bravery, shedding the fear that defined his life in Abnegation, hoping to find a place where he belongs and is safe from Marcus.
The Transfer: Dauntless Initiation Begins
Four begins his Dauntless initiation, which has three stages. He quickly proves to be a strong initiate, showing natural ability for physical challenges and calmness under pressure. In the first stage, he becomes friends with Zeke and Shauna. He faces the fear landscape simulation, confronting his deep fear of his father, Marcus, and the fear of being powerless. His performance earns him the top rank, which brings respect and the attention of leaders like Eric, who sees him as a rival.
The Initiate: Becoming a Leader
After initiation, Four is offered a position as a Dauntless leader, overseeing future initiates. He accepts, seeing it as a chance to improve the faction and prevent abuses he saw during his own initiation. He learns about the faction system's history and the growing tension between Dauntless and Erudite. He also finds out that Max, a Dauntless leader, is working with Jeanine Matthews of Erudite on a new simulation serum. Four becomes suspicious of Erudite's intentions and their research, feeling uneasy about the faction system's future.
The Initiate: Training and Observation
As an initiation instructor, Four trains a new group of Dauntless initiates. He watches their strengths and weaknesses, noting their fears in simulations. He tries to guide them without using the cruel methods of other leaders, like Eric. During this time, he also gathers information about Erudite's activities, especially their research into new serums. He notices how the faction system's rigid structure stifles individuality, confirming his belief that change is needed, but he is unsure how to achieve it without chaos.
The Son: Confronting the Past
Four's investigation into Erudite's plans grows. He learns about a mind-control serum and suspects Erudite plans to use Dauntless as soldiers in a war against Abnegation. This makes him confront his past and his relationship with his father, Marcus, who, as an Abnegation leader, would be a target. Four believes Marcus is part of the faction system's problem but also understands the danger Marcus is in. He deals with his conflicting emotions, torn between wanting justice and his lingering family ties, however strained.
The Son: A Visit to Abnegation
Driven by his suspicions, Four secretly visits Abnegation to warn his mother, Evelyn Eaton, whom he thought was dead, and to get more information. He discovers Evelyn is alive and has been living secretly among the Factionless, organizing a resistance movement. This revelation greatly affects Four, challenging his understanding of his family and the world. He shares his fears about Erudite's attack with Evelyn and learns about her plans to dismantle the faction system. This meeting is a turning point, strengthening Four's resolve to act against Erudite and protect innocent lives, including his father's, despite their history.
The Traitor: The Erudite Plan Unfolds
The Erudite plan happens. Jeanine Matthews unleashes a mind-control serum on the Dauntless, turning them into an army to attack Abnegation. Four, being Divergent, is immune to the serum's full effects, though he must pretend to be under its influence. He sees the horrific attack on Abnegation, watching his former factionmates killed by his current factionmates. The betrayal and violence strengthen his determination to stop Erudite and expose their treachery. He must make difficult choices, navigating the chaos while trying to fight back without revealing his immunity.
The Traitor: Meeting Tris Prior
During the Dauntless initiation ceremony, a new initiate from Abnegation, Beatrice Prior, jumps first into the net. Four is immediately interested in her bravery and perspective. He renames her 'Tris' and becomes her instructor. He observes her during training, recognizing her Divergence and strong will. Tris's presence challenges his emotional walls and his cynicism about the faction system. He sees in her a kindred spirit, someone who also questions the status quo and has the courage to act. Their interactions begin to shift his focus from just observing to actively resisting Erudite.
The Traitor: A Budding Alliance
As Tris progresses through initiation, Four mentors her, recognizing her potential and Divergence. He slowly trusts her, sharing his suspicions about Erudite's plot and the attack on Abnegation. They form a strong bond, based on mutual respect and a shared desire for justice. Together, they gather more evidence of Erudite's manipulation and the mind-control serum. Their alliance grows as they realize they must work together to expose the truth and prevent Abnegation's destruction, even if it means risking their lives and betraying their factions.
The Traitor: The Final Push
With the Erudite attack close, Four and Tris finalize their plans to fight back. They understand the immense danger they face, as they will go against the entire Dauntless army, now under Erudite's mind control, and Jeanine Matthews. Four tells Tris his full backstory, including his real name, Tobias Eaton, and his abusive past, deepening their connection. This final section sets the stage for 'Divergent,' with Four and Tris ready to become the heroes who will challenge their society's foundations, risking everything for truth and freedom.
Principal Figures
Tobias Eaton (Four)
The Protagonist
Four transforms from a fearful, abused boy seeking escape into a resilient, morally driven leader willing to challenge the corrupt faction system and protect others.
Marcus Eaton
The Antagonist/Mentioned
Marcus remains largely static in this collection, serving as the oppressive force Tobias escapes from and later feels compelled to protect despite their history.
Evelyn Eaton
The Supporting
Evelyn's arc is largely revealed through Tobias's discovery of her survival and her role as a leader, shifting from a tragic memory to a formidable force.
Tris Prior (Beatrice Prior)
The Protagonist
Tris begins as a curious and brave initiate and quickly becomes a trusted ally and love interest to Four, helping him to confront his past and work towards a better future.
Jeanine Matthews
The Antagonist
Jeanine remains a consistently manipulative and antagonistic force, setting the stage for the major conflict of the Divergent series.
Eric Coulter
The Supporting
Eric establishes himself as a dangerous and unwavering antagonist, embodying the harsh realities of Dauntless and its susceptibility to manipulation.
Zeke Pedrad
The Supporting
Zeke remains a consistent, supportive friend to Four, providing a stable presence in his life.
Shauna
The Supporting
Shauna's role is primarily established as a supportive friend during Four's initiation.
Themes & Insights
Identity and Self-Discovery
The collection explores Tobias's struggle to create his own identity separate from his abusive past. Renaming himself 'Four' is a symbolic act to cut ties with Marcus Eaton and the fear he represents. His journey in Dauntless is not just about physical bravery but about defining who he is on his own terms, separate from his faction and family name. This is clear when he chooses Dauntless, leaving Abnegation, and later when he tells Tris his true name and past, showing his acceptance of his whole self. His Divergence also plays into this, as he struggles to fit into a system that demands single identities.
“I am not Tobias. I am Four.”
Abuse and Trauma
The lasting impact of Tobias's childhood abuse by Marcus Eaton is a main theme. His choice of Dauntless, his fear landscape, and his guarded nature all come from this trauma. The narrative shows how abuse shapes a person's fears, their need for control, and their difficulty forming trusting relationships. Even as an adult, Marcus's shadow remains, forcing Tobias to balance his desire for justice with the lingering pain of his past. This theme is most clear in 'The Transfer' and 'The Son,' where his fear of Marcus is a dominant force.
“I will not be a cowering child anymore. I will not let fear turn me into a shadow of a person.”
The Flaws of the Faction System
The collection examines the flaws and corruption within the seemingly perfect faction system. It shows how strict adherence to single virtues leads to extremism and hypocrisy. Abnegation, meant to be selfless, hides Marcus's abuse. Dauntless, meant to be brave, becomes brutal under leaders like Eric and Max. Erudite, focused on knowledge, uses it for power. Tobias, being Divergent, sees beyond these limits, showing how the system stifles individuality and leads to conflict, proving its unsustainability.
“The factions are supposed to keep the peace. But they are also what keep us apart.”
Courage and Resistance
Beyond physical bravery, the collection explores the courage needed to question authority, expose injustice, and resist oppressive systems. Tobias's journey is one of increasing resistance – from choosing Dauntless to escape abuse, to secretly investigating Erudite, to planning to fight back against their mind-controlled army. His courage is not just about facing fears in simulations, but about taking moral stands against corrupt leaders and risking everything for what is right. Tris's arrival further develops this theme, as their combined resolve strengthens their capacity for resistance against Jeanine Matthews.
“It’s not enough to just survive. We have to fight for what’s right.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Divergence
The genetic trait of being compatible with multiple factions, making one immune to certain serums.
Divergence is a crucial genetic trait possessed by Tobias (Four) and Tris. It makes them immune to the mind-control serum used by Erudite, allowing them to resist its effects when the Dauntless are turned into an army. This immunity is central to their ability to fight back against the faction system. Beyond immunity, Divergence also signifies an ability to think independently and adapt to different faction values, making Divergents a threat to the rigid faction structure and a catalyst for change within the dystopian society.
Fear Landscape
A virtual reality simulation that forces initiates to confront their deepest fears.
The Fear Landscape is a core component of Dauntless initiation. It's a virtual reality simulation designed to test an initiate's bravery by presenting them with their deepest fears. For Tobias, it serves as a powerful psychological tool that reveals his profound trauma from Marcus Eaton's abuse and his fear of powerlessness. His ability to overcome or manipulate the simulations demonstrates his mental strength and Divergence. It's a direct window into a character's psyche, revealing their core motivations and vulnerabilities to the reader.
Mind-Control Serum
A serum developed by Erudite to control the Dauntless faction.
The mind-control serum is a critical plot device developed by Jeanine Matthews and Erudite. Its purpose is to turn the Dauntless into an unwitting army, enabling Erudite to overthrow Abnegation. This serum is the primary threat that drives the conflict at the end of the collection and into the 'Divergent' series. It highlights the manipulative and dangerous nature of Erudite's quest for power and serves as a direct threat that Tobias and Tris must overcome, with their Divergence being their only defense.
Renaming
The act of choosing a new name upon transferring to a new faction.
The act of renaming oneself upon transferring factions is a powerful symbolic plot device. For Tobias, choosing the name 'Four' is a deliberate and crucial step in severing ties with his traumatic past and his abusive father, Marcus Eaton. It signifies his desire to forge a new identity free from fear and the expectations of his origin. This practice underscores the theme of identity and self-reinvention within the faction system, even as it paradoxically reinforces the idea of leaving one's past completely behind.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Fear doesn't shut you down; it wakes you up.”
— Four's internal reflection on his own fears and how they motivate him.
“I am not Abnegation. I am not Dauntless. I am not Erudite. I am not Amity. I am not Candor. I am something else.”
— Four's internal struggle with his identity and his Divergence.
“I want to be brave, and I want to be selfless, and I want to be smart, and I want to be kind, and I want to be honest.”
— Four's internal monologue about his desire to embody virtues from all factions.
“What makes you different makes you dangerous.”
— A recurring theme and a lesson Four learned early in his life about being Divergent.
“I didn't want to leave Abnegation, but I couldn't stay.”
— Four reflecting on his decision to transfer from Abnegation to Dauntless.
“Sometimes I wonder if my mom is still alive. If she's still out there, somewhere, hiding.”
— Four's lingering thoughts about his mother, Evelyn, after she disappeared.
“I am not a weapon. I am a person.”
— Four's internal thought, rejecting the idea of being used or defined solely by his abilities.
“The factions are supposed to be a way of keeping the peace, but they're just another way of controlling people.”
— Four's growing disillusionment with the faction system.
“I chose Dauntless because I was afraid. Afraid of him.”
— Four's confession about his primary motivation for leaving Marcus and choosing Dauntless.
“She's not just a girl. She's a force of nature.”
— Four's admiring thoughts about Tris, recognizing her strength and impact.
“I am not a hero. I am just a guy who tries to do the right thing.”
— Four's humble perspective on his actions and role in the unfolding events.
“Every faction claims to be the only way to be good. But there's no single way to be good.”
— Four's philosophical realization about the limitations and flaws of the faction ideology.
“I hate that I need him. I hate that I care about him. But I do.”
— Four's conflicted feelings about his relationship with Marcus, despite the abuse.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
The collection primarily focuses on Tobias Eaton's backstory and experiences before and during the events of the Divergent trilogy. It delves into his life in Abnegation, his transfer to Dauntless, his initiation, and his rise to power, offering his perspective on key moments and characters.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
