Contents
Chapter 7: Beatrice
Overview
In the aftermath of the attack, Beatrice learns Robert was shot amid factionless retaliation and attends his tense funeral. The Council forces immediate, faction-specific Choosing. At Abnegation’s ceremony, Caleb shocks everyone by choosing Erudite. Driven by grief and anger, Beatrice chooses Abnegation but knows instantly it’s wrong, deepening her inner conflict.
Summary
Hours after the attack, Beatrice sits with her grieving community. In the kitchen, her father explains Robert was shot when factionless, having stolen a wall gun, retaliated after the woman’s fatal fall. Beatrice recalls glimpsing an armed, Amity-clad woman who looked like Evelyn Eaton but doubts her own memory.
The next morning, Abnegation holds Robert’s funeral. The mood is stunned and sorrowful as Susan helps form his memorial stone from his ashes, embodying service even in death.
Soon after, a messenger informs Beatrice’s family that each faction will hold a separate Choosing that day. Though Beatrice protests the haste, Susan’s calm acceptance ends debate, and they proceed to Abnegation headquarters, where all five faction leaders preside beside the elemental bowls.
As candidates step forward, Marcus addresses the loss and reaffirms the need to choose. Several youths select Abnegation. Then Caleb is called; he cuts his thumb and, to Beatrice’s shock, drips his blood into water, choosing Erudite.
Reeling from Caleb’s apparent betrayal, Beatrice confronts her own values. When called, she cuts her thumb and, driven by grief and anger, chooses Abnegation by bleeding onto the stones. In the instant her blood falls, Beatrice realizes with dread that she has made the wrong choice.
Who Appears
- Beatrice PriorNarrator; grieves Robert, hears factionless blamed for the shooting, attends funeral, then chooses Abnegation and immediately regrets it.
- Caleb PriorBeatrice’s brother; unexpectedly chooses Erudite, shocking his family and challenging Beatrice’s beliefs.
- Beatrice’s fatherExplains Robert was shot by factionless using a stolen wall gun; grieves and steadies the family.
- Beatrice’s motherSupports Beatrice, hosts mourners, and facilitates preparations for the sudden Choosing.
- Susan BlackMourns her brother Robert; helps mix his ashes into a memorial stone; chooses Abnegation.
- Mr. BlackGrieving father; mixes clay with Robert’s ashes to form the memorial stone.
- Mrs. BlackOverwhelmed with grief at the funeral, clutching Robert’s ashes during the procession.
- Marcus EatonAbnegation leader; addresses loss and oversees the accelerated, faction-specific Choosing.
- Jeanine MatthewsErudite leader; distributes knives at the ceremony and stands behind Caleb as he chooses Erudite.
- Johanna ReyesAmity leader present at Abnegation’s Choosing, observing the proceedings.
- Jack KangCandor leader present, participating in the reorganized Choosing.
- Max YoungDauntless leader present at the ceremony, overseeing with the others.
- TabithaMessenger who informs Beatrice’s parents that Abnegation’s Choosing will occur immediately.
- Evelyn EatonPossibly seen by Beatrice among armed factionless; her presence remains uncertain.
- Robert BlackRecently killed; his funeral and memorial stone shape the chapter’s grief and urgency.