How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
The faction members are milling around everywhere. Erudite faction norms dictate that a faction member must wear at least one blue article of clothing at a time, because blue causes the body to release calming chemicals, and "a calm mind is a clear mind." The color has also come to signify their faction. It seems impossibly bright to me now. I have grown used to dim lighting and dark clothing. (28.14)
There's that phrase again: "faction norms." What's fun about this moment where Tris invades the Erudite library looking for her brother is that she notes the Erudite norms (wearing blue) and talks about that a fair bit; and then she very briefly mentions how weird this looks to her because she's used to "dim lighting and dark clothes." Why is used to that? Well, because that's the norm of Dauntless faction.
Quote #8
I release the trigger of my gun and drop it. Before I can lose my nerve, I turn and press my forehead to the barrel of the gun behind me.
Shoot me instead.
"One!"
I hear a click, and a bang. (30.90-3)
Tris at one point looks down on Al for not acting—for not making a choice (10.78). But here Tris makes a very heroic, self-sacrificing choice not to act, herself. Instead of shooting her family (in this fear simulation), Tris makes the choice to give her own life. And we get that choice very directly in Tris's italicized wish that she should be shot instead. It may look passive, but it's actually a pretty strong choice on her part.
Quote #9
I can't wage war against Abnegation, against my family. I would rather die. My fear landscape proved that. My list of options narrows, and I see the path I must take. I will pretend long enough to get to the Abnegation sector of the city. I will save my family. And whatever happens after that doesn't matter. A blanket of calm settles over me. (33.16)
Being undecided can be very painful, as we see when Tris makes up her mind and instantly feels calm. What's curious about this choice for Tris is that she sees it as hardly a choice: her "list of options narrows" and there's only one path she can take. That's the opposite of making a choice, right? ("I have to do this" vs. "I choose to do this.")