How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"Fine," Eric says. "You can come up, Christina."
Al walks toward the railing.
"No," Eric says. "She has to do it on her own."
"No, she doesn't," Al growls. "She did what you said. She's not a coward. She did what you said."
Eric doesn't respond. Al reaches over the railing, and he's so tall that he can reach Christina's wrist. She grabs his forearm. Al pulls her up, his face red with frustration, and I run forward to help. (9.97-101)
Tris doesn't choose to help Christina when Eric punishes her by making her hang over the chasm. But Al-the-crier has enough courage and comradeship to want to help the poor girl out, even if it means facing up to Eric, who's a dangerous and unfriendly guy. So who seems like the better friend here?
Quote #5
The shouts of triumph become infectious, and I lift my voice to join in, running toward my teammates. Christina holds the flag up high, and everyone clusters around her, grabbing her arm to lift the flag even higher. I can't reach her, so I stand off to the side, grinning. (12.190)
Competition doesn't mix so well with friendship in this book, even when the friends are on the same side. Here, Tris and Christina are on the same team in a paintball game. But when Christina grabs the flag, Tris—who came up with the plan—feels left out. Yes, Tris joins in the shouting and running, but at the end of the paragraph, she's still "off to the side."
Quote #6
Al and I meet eyes, like we usually do when Will and Christina start to fight. But this time, the second our eyes meet, we both look away. I hope this awkwardness between us doesn't last long. I want my friend back. (16.37)
Tris may be living in a dystopian Chicago where everyone is in some faction, which is totally unlike your life. But here she is experiencing something that you're probably familiar with: she's sharing a secret look with her friend Al, but it's an uncomfortable look because he like likes her. How very ordinary.