Victims of abuse, whether it's by a parent or spouse or other loved one, often think they're all alone. And their abuser wants it that way. Isolating people makes them weak and scared, and that's exactly what Marcus does to his son, Tobias, in the early stories in Four.
When Tobias becomes Four, though, he is able to harness the abuse and turn it into a strength, but it will always be difficult for him to be alone.
Questions About Isolation
- How does Marcus use isolation as a method of child abuse?
- In what ways does Tobias/Four isolate himself after switching to Dauntless?
- Both Tobias/Four and Tris are the only transfers from Abnegation in their years. How do they handle this differently?