Point:
One of the Dauntless leaders, Eric, tells the initiates at the beginning of their training, “If you are really one of us, it won’t matter to you that you might fail. And if it does you are a coward...You chose us. Now we have to choose you” (Roth 73). Eric’s words summarize much of the Dauntless’s beliefs at the time, that cowardice is not accepted. Tris is constantly reminded of the Dauntless’s value, bravery, whenever she is confronted with a choice. This causes her to regularly change her choices to the ones Dauntless would consider as brave, no matter how risky the results may be.
Proof:
When the Dauntless initiates are playing a large game of capture the flag, Tris decides to climb the ferris wheel to help her team win, even though the wheel is a known death trap. As Tris stares up at the wheel she thinks, “My heart pumps faster. Will I really risk my life for this-to win a game the Dauntless like to play?...I grab a rung” (Roth 141).
Comment:
Tris chooses to risk her life in order to excel at a custom Dauntless game. Her choice proves devotion to her society, and acts as proof to herself that she really does belong there.