Tris Prior is a heroine with an agenda in mind and a great many goals to carry out. Her agenda and goals come together to form her own pursuit of happiness. In other words, Tris is on a quest!And no one but Foster, author of How to Read Literature Like a Professor, knows quests better! According to Foster, there are five main components that make up a quest:
First off, Tris is obviously the quester in question here. Second, the Dauntless faction compound is the destination Tris desires to go to; it's not a component to be fulfilled just by being in the compound, but fighting to be a true member of the faction. Tris's stated reason to go to the Dauntless compound is to escape her old faction. She had believed that she did not embody the noble characteristics of an Abnegation citizen, and she decided that she would be better fit for Dauntless. There are many trials and challenges for her as she makes her way from Dauntless initiate to Dauntless faction member, some of which including: nearly getting stabbed in a knife throwing challenge; almost strangled and drowned into a river; estranged friendships; a complicated relationship with her infatuation; and so much more! In the end, her real reason to go there is self discovery. Of course, it must be noted that she does not complete the true journey until Book 3 (Allegiant). Along with her self discovery, she finds out the true meaning of sacrifice, and with this understanding, she commits to the greatest sacrifice of all to save the ones she loves and to save a society formerly on the brink of self-destruction.
- A quester
- A place to go
- A stated reason to go there
- Challenges and trials en route
- A real reason to go there
First off, Tris is obviously the quester in question here. Second, the Dauntless faction compound is the destination Tris desires to go to; it's not a component to be fulfilled just by being in the compound, but fighting to be a true member of the faction. Tris's stated reason to go to the Dauntless compound is to escape her old faction. She had believed that she did not embody the noble characteristics of an Abnegation citizen, and she decided that she would be better fit for Dauntless. There are many trials and challenges for her as she makes her way from Dauntless initiate to Dauntless faction member, some of which including: nearly getting stabbed in a knife throwing challenge; almost strangled and drowned into a river; estranged friendships; a complicated relationship with her infatuation; and so much more! In the end, her real reason to go there is self discovery. Of course, it must be noted that she does not complete the true journey until Book 3 (Allegiant). Along with her self discovery, she finds out the true meaning of sacrifice, and with this understanding, she commits to the greatest sacrifice of all to save the ones she loves and to save a society formerly on the brink of self-destruction.