Character Name:
Tobias “Four” Eaton
Though I call him Four. I can’t call him Tobias because it reminds me of Tobias Funke from Arrested Development and as much as I love David Cross…no…just, healing no.
Book or Series They Appear In:
The Divergent Trilogy
Divergent, buy information pills Insurgent, store Allegiant
Author/Creator:
Veronica Roth
Played By:
Theo James
Who They Are:
Tobias “Four” Eaton is the main character counterpart to the main character, Tris Prior, and also her love interest turned boyfriend. When Tris makes the switch from Abnegation to Dauntless, Four is the head of Dauntless training. He’s a mystery to her, but he’s a great teacher and she finds herself intrigued by him. As time goes on, we learn that Four is in fact a boy named Tobias Eaton, a transfer from Abnegation, the son of a well known leader named Marcus. He transfers to Dauntless to escape the emotional, mental and physical abuse that he endures every day. Eventually, he opens himself up to Tris, and shows her the reason behind his name (Four), showing her the four fears in his life. They eventually fall in love and become a couple, though their relationship is constantly going through turmoil as they break apart the world that surrounds them.
Why I Am Crushing On Them:
There is something about Four that stands out right away. Its obvious that he is brave, strong and resilient and possibly dangerous too but there’s also a softness and a gentleness…a calmness to him. From the very beginning, you’re addicted to him, you’re drinking him in, trying to figure out what it is about him that makes you so drawn to him, just as Tris is drawn to him. He is so mysterious and I love that about him. Part of you keeps reading the book because you want to know more about him.
And when you begin to unfold the mysterious of Four? (Sorry I can’t call him Tobias. I just can’t. He’s Four). He’s just even more perfect. The thing is, the whole tortured, abused man with walls up? Not exactly new to literature. I mean, its the basis of so many romance novels, it starts to get boring. But Veronica Roth does it so flawlessly. She makes it subtle, and Tris breaking down the walls is so subtle that you don’t notice any of it unless you’re really paying attention to it. Four is abused by his father, and it changed him and he ran away to Dauntless, where he came into his own and learned about himself, and learned that he didn’t want to just be brave or selfless, but all of the others as well. And he works hard at it.
And okay, let’s be honest. Even from the book (not just Theo James), you know this guy is hot. He’s built, and fit, and he’s a great fighter, and he’s amazing with a gun, and he’s worked hard to become great in Dauntless. And he’s called Four, meaning that he only has four fears. That’s incredible. He’s a fighter but he’s emotional, and real and raw, and I don’t know any girl that read Divergent and was like “FOUR!” (Which weirdly has a golf connection thing going now…damn it…)
I think I like that there’s layers there with Four that makes him seem “Divergent” even if you later realize that he isn’t. But I think that’s the point in the end. Even though they have these labels for them, you can’t just go around labeling them. Even though Four is NOT divergent, he is. He’s selfless, and brave, and incredibly intelligent and he can be honest and truthful and he can have the peacefulness and friendliness of the amity as well. He’s divergent without being obviously so, without striving to be, and that’s what makes him the incredible character that he is. He’s funny and serious, and loving and sarcastic and an amazing character.
I can’t wait to see what Theo James does with him in Divergent. I can’t wait!
Notable Quotes:
“Becoming fearless isn’t the point. That’s impossible. It’s learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.”
(Okay, I know that I have a Divergent tattoo already, but I kind of like this quote. Okay, I really love this quote)
“I might be in love with you.” He smiles a little. “I’m waiting until I’m sure to tell you, though.”
“‘Well,’ he says, ‘I would only go if there was cake.” (Talking about Tris’ pseudo funeral)
“Fear doesn’t shut you down; it wakes you up. I’ve seen it. It’s fascinating.”
“I’ll fight the bad dreams off if they come to get you.”
Look at that sexy walk. Pure sex. . Geez. Cold Shower. Now.
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