Tris Prior’s divergence means that she has three main character traits, rather than one. Ask your students to find examples of Tris demonstrating these traits as a means of practicing character analysis. For each trait, have them depict a scene, followed by an explanation of Tris’ character in that scene. Adapt this activity to a personal response project by asking your students to choose the three factions with which they identify best and depict their own actions in support of this.
Tris shows her erudite side during the capture the flag game. Instead of arguing over how to find their opponents, she cleverly climbs the Ferris wheel in order to get a view of enemy territory. She then organizes an attack plan that leads her team to victory.
Tris's abnegation connection is her selflessness. Although she does not feel selfless enough to remain in Abnegation, she can't help trying to help others. When her friend Al is forced to stand still while Four throws knives at him, Tris volunteers to take his place.
Tris proves that she is dauntless early on by becoming the "first jumper". She is the first initiate to boldly jump three stories down into an unseen net below.
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Student Instructions
Prove Tris’s divergence by explaining ways she demonstrates the traits of three different factions.
Use a chart to visually organize Tris's three major traits from each faction. This helps students compare her actions and understand how divergent personalities work.
Have students search for direct quotes or scenes that show Tris acting with Erudite, Abnegation, or Dauntless qualities. Textual evidence builds strong analytical skills.
Organize small groups to discuss why Tris chooses certain actions. Encourage students to connect her decisions to her divergent nature and personal values.
Ask students to identify which faction traits they share with Tris. This activity promotes self-awareness and personal connection to literature.
Have students illustrate scenes showing Tris's three traits and write short explanations beneath each. This combines artistic expression with critical thinking.
A Divergent character analysis for Tris Prior explores how she embodies traits from multiple factions—Erudite (intelligent), Abnegation (selfless), and Dauntless (brave)—showing her unique identity and growth throughout the story.
Students can analyze Tris's three main character traits by identifying scenes where she demonstrates intelligence, selflessness, and bravery. For each trait, they should depict a scene and explain how Tris's actions reflect that quality.
Examples include Tris climbing the Ferris wheel (Erudite), volunteering for a friend during knife-throwing (Abnegation), and being the first to jump into the net (Dauntless).
To adapt this analysis, have students choose three factions they identify with, depict scenes showing their own actions for each trait, and explain how they embody those qualities in real life.
The best structure is to use a storyboard web: write Tris's name at the center, then fill in her three traits at the top of each square. For each, students depict a scene and provide an explanation of her actions, supporting character transformation skills.