Will
An Erudite transfer whose supportive nature defines his bonds among Dauntless initiates.
Will is a transfer from Erudite to Dauntless during the Choosing Ceremony in the 2014 film *Divergent*. He joins the initiation class alongside other transfers, including Beatrice Prior, Christina, Al, and Peter. Unlike many who are native to Dauntless, Will arrives with an academic background but seeks to prove himself within the faction's brutal training hierarchy. His presence introduces a dynamic of intellectual curiosity balanced with physical competition, as he navigates the high-stakes environment where failure means becoming Factionless.
- Faction
- Dauntless
- Role
- Initiate / Transfer from Erudite
Lore & Background
Will's journey begins when he selects Dauntless over his home faction of Erudite during the Choosing Ceremony, joining a group that includes Christina and Al from Candor, as well as Peter from Erudite. As an initiate, he faces the same rigorous tests as everyone else, including the initial fear simulation where participants confront their deepest phobias. His path is marked by the constant pressure to perform; those who fail to meet Dauntless standards are cast out. Will's interactions with Beatrice Prior are defined by friendliness and support, not competitive tension. While the source notes he is a transfer from Erudite, it does not detail specific moments of him acting as an antagonist or being involved in the attack on Abnegation. His role remains that of a peer within the training cohort, subject to the same rules and dangers as Christina and Al.
In Their Own Story
During the Choosing Ceremony, Will makes the pivotal decision to leave Erudite for Dauntless, joining Beatrice Prior, Christina, and Al in the new faction. Upon arrival, he meets his fellow initiates, including Peter Hayes from Candor. The group immediately faces Eric's warning that failure will result in becoming Factionless. Will participates in the training regimen, which includes jumping into a net from a tall building to gain respect from the instructor Four. Like the others, he undergoes psychological simulations where initiates confront their deepest fears. While Beatrice discovers she is Divergent and must hide her abilities during these tests, the source does not specify Will's individual fear simulation results or his performance relative to the cutoff rank. He remains part of the group until the final evaluation determines who stays.
Reader's Guide
Will transfers from Erudite to Dauntless at age 16. He is a member of the initiation class that includes Christina, Al, and Beatrice Prior. His training involves jumping into a net from a building and undergoing fear simulations under the supervision of Four. The source states that initiates are matched against each other in fights; while it explicitly mentions Beatrice fighting Peter Hayes, it does not describe a specific fight between Will and anyone else. Will is never identified as Divergent. His status after the final evaluation is not detailed beyond being part of the group that passes or fails based on meeting Dauntless standards. He is distinct from Al, who later commits suicide, and Peter, who attacks Beatrice.
Did You Know?
- Will is one of the initiates who transfers to Dauntless from Erudite, alongside Peter, while Christina and Al come from Candor.
- All initiates must jump from a tall building into a net to earn respect from instructor Four upon arrival at Dauntless headquarters.
- The source confirms Will participates in the fear simulation phase where initiates confront their deepest fears, though his specific results are not detailed.
- Will is part of the class that faces Eric's warning: those who fail to meet standards will become Factionless.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Will in Divergent?
Will is an Erudite transfer who chooses Dauntless during the Choosing Ceremony in the first film. He joins Beatrice's initiation class but struggles to adapt to the physical demands of the faction.
What faction does Will belong to?
Will starts as a member of Erudite before switching to Dauntless at age sixteen. He ultimately fails his initiation and leaves the group as Factionless along with other unsuccessful candidates.
Does Will have any special abilities?
No, Will has no special powers or Divergent traits within the story's universe. His background is purely academic, which contrasts sharply with the combat-focused training of Dauntless.
How does Will's story end in the movie?
By the end of the initiation process, Will does not complete his trials and loses his faction status. This failure underscores the lethal consequences of being unable to meet Dauntless standards.
Why is Will important to the plot?
He highlights the challenges faced by transfers who lack native physical conditioning within the faction system. His rivalry adds tension to Beatrice's journey as she competes for survival among her peers.
More in Characters & Divergents
Related in Divergent
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Elsewhere in the Divergent universe
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