Character Sketch: Tobias Eaton In Veronica Roth’s Insurgent, Tobias Eaton or “Four”, as he is otherwise referred to, is intelligent, loving and strong. He is intelligent both in love and in warfare. Tobias proves his intelligence when he gives Tris, his girlfriend, an ultimatum. She continuously throws herself into situations where she acts recklessly by risking her life and Tobias will have none of it. He grows so tired of her behaviour that he says to her, “You are a sixteen-year-old girl who doesn’t understand that the value of a sacrifice lies in its necessity, not in throwing your life away! And if you do that again, you and I are done” (260). Tobias is able to identify the signs of someone who can potentially hurt him. He knows that if something awful happens to Tris, he will be affected as well, so in order to prevent himself from possible heartbreak, he warns his girlfriend. The fact that he sees value in life shows his intelligence. Tobias’ actions toward his partner also exhibit that he has an affectionate side. He cares enough about her that he is willing to subtly threaten her if she does not stop trying to destroy herself. Tobias constantly tells Tris how much she means to him and performs a series of romantic gestures. As the two of them get ready for combat, Tris tells Tobias that she is unable to fire a weapon, but all he says back to her is, “Hey. You have done more for this faction than any other person. You...you’re the bravest person I’ve ever met. Stay here. Let yourself mend” (424). Without asking any questions, he takes his girlfriend’s feelings into consideration and informs her that she can relax in the house and not have to worry about going into battle. He tells her that despite the fact that they need as many people as possible instead of giving her a knife or some other way of protecting herself. Tobias thinks about Tris and the way she feels, even though he is putting their future at stake, which displays how kind he is. Lastly, Tobias is strong, physically and mentally. After believing that his mother is dead for several years, he discovers that she has been alive the entire time and is hiding out among the factionless. He appears to respond to the news in a very calm manner. As Tobias recounts his experience, he says, “She sent a coded message to me in Dauntless, telling me to meet her at the train yard. I did, because I was curious, and there she was. Alive” (100). Although Tobias holds on to that piece of information, he acts as if nothing is out of the norm for him. He continues to live life the way he had been before he found out about his mother. Even Tris, who Tobias’ mother has not wronged, is unable to pretend like everything is the same as it had previously been and because Tobias is able to get past it, he is stronger than most. In summary, Roth creates a character who is wise beyond his years, leading him to his own happiness, extremely kind hearted to the point where he will risk his own safety and is able to endure emotional stress calmly.