How we cite our quotes: (Part.Paragraph)
Quote #1
What faction did I want? Any of them. Any of them but Abnegation. (1.11-1.12)
Why is Tobias so afraid of being labeled Abnegation early on, even though he will later have a choice in which faction to be?
Quote #2
"You're the one who has to live with your choice," [Tori] says. "Everyone else will get over it, move on, no matter what you decide. But you never will." (1.15)
Why is Tori trying to manipulate Tobias's choice? And is she right in her assessment? Does Tobias's choice only affect himself?
Quote #3
If you choose Abnegation, you will never get away from him. (1.122)
Here we see the primary motivation behind Tobias's choice of a different faction—he needs to get away from his abusive father.
Quote #4
"Today you will find your own path, make your own rules." (1.155)
This line from the Choosing Ceremony is insanely misleading. No one is making their own rules; they're simply choosing which faction's rules they'll follow.
Quote #5
The truth is, I want my choice to drive a knife right through my father's heart, to pierce him with as much pain and embarrassment and disappointment as possible. There is only one choice that can do that. (1.181-1.182)
By this point, we know that Tobias wants to spite his father, but why is Dauntless this choice? Why not Erudite or Candor or any other faction?
Quote #6
I think I just don't like when I'm not given a choice. (3.23)
No one likes having their choices taken away, but why is it such a touchy subject for Four especially?
Quote #7
"You're coming with me on a date." (3.47)
Here we see a friend of Four's basically forcing him to go on a date. Of course, if the choice were left to Four, he would probably become a celibate priest. Sometimes it's helpful to let someone else make a decision for you.
Quote #8
"Sometime soon, everyone will have to choose a side, and I know which one you would rather be on. I think you could really make a difference with us." (3.215)
Four's mother seems to be giving Four a new choice, but she's really trying to do the same thing his father did: manipulate him into whatever she wants him to be.
Quote #9
My mother presented me with two options yesterday: be a pawn of Dauntless, or become factionless. But there's a third option: to be neither. To align myself with no one in particular. To live under the radar, and free. (3.301)
Four realizes something really important: that he makes his own choice. He doesn't have to choose the options other people lay out for him. He can go his own way.