What Happens At The End Of The Divergent Series
So, you’ve been devouring the Divergent books, right? Or maybe you’ve binged the movies and are now staring at the screen with a bewildered look, muttering, “Wait, what just happened?” You’re not alone! The ending of the Divergent series can be a bit… a lot. It’s like trying to untangle a super knot while a horde of angry faction members is chasing you. But fear not, my fellow bookworm (or movie-watcher!), because I’m here to break it down for you in a way that’s as painless as Tris’s bravery (almost!).
Let’s rewind a bit, shall we? Remember how everything was all about the factions? Dauntless, Abnegation, Candor, Erudite, Amity? They were like high school cliques, but with more dramatic consequences and less questionable fashion choices (mostly). Tris, our ever-so-brave hero, was a Divergent, which basically meant she didn’t fit neatly into any one box. Think of it as being good at EVERYTHING, but also being constantly suspicious. It's a tough life, juggling all those talents!
The whole premise of the series revolved around the idea that this city, Chicago, was a perfectly organized society, built on the ashes of a war. The factions were supposed to prevent another one. Sounds great on paper, right? Like a well-oiled machine. But as we all know, machines can glitch. And oh boy, did this machine glitch HARD.
The big bads of the early books were, of course, the Erudite, led by the ever-so-charming (not) Jeanine Matthews. She was all about logic and knowledge, and apparently, that meant wanting to control everyone’s brains. Classic Erudite move, am I right? They brewed up this serum that turned people into mind-controlled zombies, making them attack the Abnegation. It was a whole situation, a real “don’t-drink-that-weird-colored-liquid” kind of moment.
Tris, being the badass she is, along with her equally brave (and gorgeous) boyfriend Four, fought back. They discovered that the serum was actually designed to control people, not just enhance them, and that it was being controlled by the Erudite to seize power. They managed to stop Jeanine’s plan, but not without a whole lot of sacrifices. sniff The first two books were a whirlwind of action, betrayal, and Tris discovering her true strength. Plus, let’s be honest, the swoon-worthy romance between Tris and Four was a major draw. They were the ultimate power couple, minus the matching tracksuits.
The Plot Thickens (and Gets WAY More Complicated)
Now, things really start to unravel in the third book, Allegiant. And if you thought the first two books were intense, buckle up, buttercup, because this is where it gets really interesting. It turns out that Chicago isn't the only city left on Earth. Shocking, I know! They thought they were the last survivors, living in this walled-off experiment. Turns out, there’s a whole big ol’ world out there, and it’s not all sunshine and roses.
They discover that the entire faction system was created by an organization called the Bureau of Genetic Welfare. Yep, they were basically playing God, trying to ‘heal’ humanity after a devastating war that, again, we thought was caused by the factions. But it turns out, the war was more about genetics. People were born with ‘damaged’ genes, and the Bureau was trying to create ‘genetically pure’ humans. This sounds like a really bad sci-fi movie plot, but hey, it’s Veronica Roth’s world!
So, our brave group of rebels, including Tris, Four, Caleb (Tris’s sometimes-annoying brother), Christina, and a few others, decide to escape Chicago. They’re tired of the lies, the control, and the constant threat of death. They want to see what this ‘real world’ is like. And what do they find? More of the same, pretty much. Another walled city called Providence, which is basically Chicago’s fancier, more oppressive cousin.
In Providence, they meet David, the leader of the Bureau. And guess what? David is a huge fan of genetic purity. He sees the people of Chicago as ‘damaged’ and believes the faction system was a necessary step in their ‘cure.’ He’s all about control, just like Jeanine, but on a much, much larger scale. It’s like they say, some people never learn, or maybe they just really, really like playing with people’s lives.
David is also very interested in Tris. Why? Because she’s not just Divergent; she’s genetically pure. Whoa. So, all the things that made her different and feared? Turns out, they were actually a sign of her being ‘perfect’ in the eyes of the Bureau. Talk about an identity crisis!
Meanwhile, back in Chicago, things are also going haywire. Tobias (Four) is dealing with the aftermath of his father’s reign and the power vacuum that’s left. There are factions within factions, and everyone’s trying to figure out what to do next. It’s a bit like a dysfunctional family reunion, but with more weapons.
The main conflict in Allegiant is between Tris and David. David wants to continue his ‘experiments’ and believes that purging the ‘damaged’ people is the only way to save humanity. He sees the Chicago experiment as a failure and wants to do things ‘right’ this time. Tris, on the other hand, is horrified. She’s seen enough death and destruction. She believes in individual freedom and that people should be allowed to be who they are, flaws and all.
The Big Climax: What Happens to Tris? (Brace Yourselves!)
Okay, here comes the part that probably made you clutch your pearls and maybe shed a tear or two. The series takes a pretty dark turn. David, in his infinite wisdom (or lack thereof), decides that the only way to ‘fix’ humanity is to release a deadly gas that will kill off the genetically damaged people in Chicago. It’s a mass extermination plan, basically. Nasty business.
Tris, naturally, can’t let this happen. She teams up with Cara and Peter (yes, Peter! Remember him? The guy who was kind of a jerk but also kind of redeemed himself? The story gets complicated!) to sneak into the Bureau’s headquarters and shut down the gas. It’s a suicide mission, and Tris knows it.
She volunteers to go because she’s the most genetically pure and therefore the most likely to survive the gas if things go wrong. Plus, she’s Tris. She’s always the one to charge in. Four tries to stop her, of course, because he loves her more than life itself. But Tris is determined. She says goodbye to him, knowing it might be the last time.
So, Tris, with her trusty companions, infiltrates the Bureau. There’s a lot of running, fighting, and near-death experiences. Peter, bless his complicated heart, actually helps Tris out when it counts. He’s a survivor, that one.
Tris makes it to the control room. She’s faced with a choice: disable the gas and potentially sacrifice herself, or let it kill everyone she knows and loves. It’s a classic moral dilemma, but with much higher stakes than choosing your major in college. She chooses to disable the gas.
And this is where it gets… heartbreaking. As she’s disabling the gas, she’s exposed to it. She’s trying to save everyone, and in doing so, she gets fatally wounded. Sigh. It’s a moment of pure, unadulterated sacrifice. She dies in Four’s arms, after telling him to live and to tell everyone the truth.
Yes, you read that right. Tris Prior, the brave, defiant, Divergent hero, dies. It’s a massive gut punch, and honestly, a lot of readers were not happy. It felt like a betrayal of the character we’d all grown to love. But in a way, it was also incredibly fitting for her character. She died the way she lived: bravely, selflessly, and for the greater good.
What Happens to Everyone Else?
So, Tris is gone. Tears are flowing. The world is bleak. But the story isn’t over! The others have to deal with the fallout, and thankfully, they do have a plan.
Four, devastated but determined, takes Tris’s place. He broadcasts a message to all the walled cities, exposing the Bureau and their lies. He reveals the truth about the genetic experiments and the truth about the faction system. He urges people to leave their walled cities, to embrace their differences, and to build a new society based on understanding and acceptance, not on control and purity.
Christina and Cara are also instrumental in helping to spread the message and protect the remaining people. They become leaders in their own right, carrying on Tris’s legacy. It’s a testament to the strength of the bonds formed throughout the series. Even in the face of unimaginable loss, they find the strength to move forward.
Caleb, after his own journey of redemption and dealing with his guilt, also plays a role in the aftermath. He’s forced to confront the consequences of his past choices, but ultimately, he chooses to follow Tris’s ideals.
Peter, that wild card, survives and eventually ends up in a different, less controlled community. He’s still Peter, I’m sure, but he’s no longer a direct threat.
The ending is, therefore, bittersweet. Tris is gone, which is a tragedy. But her sacrifice wasn't in vain. She paved the way for a new beginning. The people are free to leave their cities and to start over. The truth is out, and the old ways of control are being dismantled.
It’s a message of hope, really. Even when the darkest things happen, and even when we lose people we love, their legacy can live on. Their actions can inspire change. Tris’s bravery inspired a whole world to break free. It’s like, even though the light went out, she managed to ignite a million other candles.
So, while the end of the Divergent series might leave you a little misty-eyed, it also leaves you with a sense of possibility. It’s about the power of truth, the importance of individuality, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. And hey, if Tris Prior can face down genetic overlords and sacrifice herself for humanity, then maybe, just maybe, we can all find the courage to be a little braver in our own lives. Now go forth and be Divergent, my friends! You've got this!