Character+Relationships

// Example of a Character Relationship Post-It- LEVEL 5 //

Character Relationship- Level 5 In the book, Divergent, Tris and Tobias have a ** complex ** relationship. Tobias and Tris love each other. Tobias feels obligated to protect Tris and is often willing to sacrifice himself for her benefit. While Tris has mutual feelings of love for Tobias, her independent and dauntless spirit makes her feel obligated to prioritize protecting society over her relationship with Tobias. In other words, Tris puts her relationship as secondary to protecting society, and this makes Tobias feels Tris neglects their relationship by not making their relationship a priority. Tobias’ feelings toward Tris are conflicted because he has difficulty reconciling that Tris loves him, and yet her devotion to higher moral authority and protecting society takes precedent over him. One example of Tris placing the good of society over her relationship is in // Insurgent is when Tris agrees to an alliance with Tobias’ nemesis and father, Marcus Eaton. Tris believes that only Marcus possesses valuable information about defeating. Marcus will only divulge the information if Tris is willing to work with Marcus. // Tris creates this alliance knowing she is betraying Tobias, but for the greater good of trying to save society. Tris tries to convey to Tobias that her obligation to fight for the greater good in society and protect the innocent is really a reflection of the depth to which she loves Tobias. The relationship for Tris and Tobias proves to be complex because of Tris’ devotion to society and Tobias’ feelings of betrayal. Ultimately, Tris believes that Tobias’ love and unwavering support for her enables her to fearlessly sacrifice herself in order to save the lives of others.

// Steps to Writing a Level 5 Character Relationship Post-it //

1. Think about story events and characters’ words and actions that reveal the type of relationship the characters have with each other.

2. Identify the book, characters, and type of relationship between characters using specific language.

// Example: In the book, Divergent by Veronica Roth, Tris and Tobias // // have a __ complex __ relationship. //

3. Explain the context of the relationship, and explain why the word you choose best reflects what you have termed the relationship.

Example: Tris and Tobias have a complex relationship because Tris feels obligated to prioritize protecting society over her relationship with Tobias.Tris’ choice to put society over her relationship with Tobias often leaves Tobias feeling betrayed.

4. Analyze your thinking and refer back to your initial idea. Finally, leave the reader with something further on which to reflect.

(Example: The relationship for Tris and Tobias proves to be complex because of Tris’s devotion to society and Tobias’ feelings of betrayal.  Ultimately, Tris believes that Tobias’ love and unwavering support for her  enables her to fearlessly sacrifice herself in order to save the lives of others.)