Describe the protagonist’s character, giving at least three specific characteristics. For each characteristic, use a quotation which demonstrates the characteristic though the protagonist’s thoughts, speech or actions.
The protagonist, Elliot, is selfish, dishonest, and guilty. Elliot is selfish because his top priority is his own survival and this resolve to stay alive makes him care more about himself than anyone else. "If it's someone else, at least it isn't you. He knew he was crying for himself, not for anyone else." (Gardner 53) Elliot is also dishoest because he lies a lot and keeps secrets from people should have the right to know about them. One such case was when the headmaster of Holminster asked Elliot if there was a gang at the school (unknowingly, the headmaster was referring to the Guardians). And after Elliot became a Guardian he gave this answer. "No. I've never come across anything. Nothing at all." (Gardner 112) Despite though despisable qualities, Eliot feels horrible being like what he is, evident when he thinks to himself about being a Guardian. "Somehow the thought of that power - power over life and death - was almost as awful as not having power at all." (Gardner 131) Elliot's path down self-destruction shows he is an interesting character.
Elliot is an unconfident boy, who overcomes his fears of bullying and becomes, strong willed, and a strategic thinker. but by the end of the book, he learns that inside him, he has a lot of inner strength.
Strong willed: On pg 36-37, Elliot talked about having to stand out in the right way, so he tried out for the swimming team. At first, he was really nervous, but then... "Elliot took up his position. his toes gripped the edge of the pool. He didn't trust himself to look anywhere but the water in front of him. [i]My only chance.[i] he pulled his goggles down over his eyes, checked they were tight. breathed deeply, tasted the familiar, clean chemical smell of pool disinfectant. tensed, ready for the gun. around him the other swimmers must have been doing likewise, but he was hardly aware of them, they were no longer important. the only real reality - the only important reality - was his body and the water beneath. Suddenly he wasn't nervous anymore. [i]I can do this[i] He heard the gun fire." (Gardiner 38) Then of course, he goes on to being the fastest of the group.
Strategic thinker: When Elliot first gets to the school he completely analyses every situation, every person, and how he should treat them. This quote was when he first met Oliver. “He had short blonde hair brushed straight forward, and sharp features that were friendly but at the same time faintly sneaky. [i]Not to be trusted,[i] Elliot thought immediately.” (Gardiner 28)
Inner Strength: At the end of the book, Elliot is displeased with how his life is going, and decides to tell the principal about the Guardians. On the way to the office, Elliot realizes a lot of things: how his life got worse since he became a Guardian and how things won’t get any better if he continues to be a Guardian. “Yet, he suddenly saw, at the same time part of him had chosen not to die. The old Elliots – the Elliots he’d done his utmost to kill – had stubbornly clung on to life. Must have, because he was still afraid. [i]Not dying after all my efforts,[i] he thought[i] that surely, takes strength.[i]” (Gardiner 182)
Graham Gardiner did a great job with developing Elliot and he really made him a believable character with realistic attributes.
Maria Kostakis Kostakis 3 Ms. Morris ENG 1D1 12 May 2009 Blogging Response on Question #3 The three specific characteristics Roman had chosen to describe the protagonist’s character (Elliot) surely describe him in a clear manner. Elliot is definitely a strategic thinker, has inner strength, and is strong willed. For instance he has inner strength or else he wouldn’t have been able to eventually go to the Head Master’s office and tell him everything that had happened, and be able to take the consequences once he had told him. “He thought, I’m afraid, but I’m still going through with it.” (Gibbons 183) This quote proves that he found the inner strength to tell someone of higher authority. Therefore, it is agreeable to suggest that Roman chose the correct three characteristics that thoroughly describe Elliot as a character.
Francesco Marini Part A #2 Mrs.Russel ENG 1D1- 06 May 14, 2009
3) The Protagonist character Elliot can be described as fearful, mature and strong. Elliot is a fearful person because he is always wondering what’s going to happen to him later and never goes into a new situation with a good attitude. He is always scared something is going to happen to him. “And whatever Ben said, it was still a massive risk being where anyone might see them together (Gardner 133).” He shows maturity because he agrees to hang out with Ben who is a kid who has no friends at all. Even knowing that hanging out with Ben could get him into big trouble. “He thought about what else to do. He was in no hurry to get home – not with his parents in the house together. The alternative was hanging around the shops on his own all morning, as he usually did. And although this kid, Ben, was one of the last people on earth he could afford to be seen with, at the moment there was no one around; and if they went back to his house nobody was going to see them… (Gardner 91)” Elliot is strong because at the end of the book he fights everything and knocks on the principals’ door to reveal the secret club and that takes so much guts for him to accomplish. “He brought his hand up again, and this time he didn’t hesitate (Gardner 183).” Mature, strong and fearful are words that describe the main character Elliot.
I agree with Roman on this question because I agree that Elliot in the beginning of the book was a unconfident boy who thought that every part of him was not worth the trouble of being made into human being but as the months go on at his new school he begins to think more highly of himself by joining the swimming team and getting a girlfriend latter on in the book. He is also a strategic thinker as you stated because once he arrived at his new school he analyzed every situation that could have turned out like his old school and tried to avoid them. You have made a very good opinion and I agree 100%.
I somewhat disagree with Terry's opinion on the protagonist, Elliot's character. Even though Elliot focused "on his own survival" this was only because he suffered so much at his old school from brutal violence that he never wanted to go back to that place again. "He couldn't hope that he simply wouldn't be noticed, so he had to ensure he would be noticed in the right way." (Gardner 35) I completely understand where Elliot's actions are coming from and why he did it. It wasn't to be selfish or only think about himself, but to avoid getting hurt. Also, Terry said that he thinks Elliot is dishonest because he lied to the principal about The Guardians. This was a wrong decision for Elliot to make and is dishonest, but once again he was in a tough position and I understand where he was coming from and why he chose to do that. The guilty characteristic that Terry listed I strongly agree with because like Terry said, he knew what he was doing and felt horrible over everything. That is why as the story unfolds and the novel came to an end Elliot did the right thing and told the principal about the Guardians and finally found himself. Good job on your answer Terry. :)
Katie Konstantopoulos Mrs. Russell ENG 1D1 05 May 17/09
The protagonist of this story was Elliot Sutton, who has three main characteristics; he is strong-minded, insecure, and emotionally pressured. He is a strong-minded person; throughout the whole book, he struggles with many things that he does not like or feels uncomfortable about, and his choices with them affect the rest of his life and personality. This is demonstrated in the following quote when Elliot starts to figure out that the Guardians want him to become one of them, “A cold worm crawled into Elliot’s head. This can’t be why I’ve been called out here. No way…No way… The unspoken question drove the breath out of him. He wanted to turn and run, but his legs were rigid.” (Gardner 82-3) Elliot is also a shy and insecure individual, especially around the opposite sex. This is shown when Elliot talks to Louise for the second time, and is afraid that he looks like an idiot; “He struggled for something to say, this time thinking how she was likely to respond and interpret his words. He started talking about [a book], which he’d been reading at the weekend, then trailed off, realising he must come across as ridiculous: accosting her, accusing her, and now babbling pointlessly at her.” (Gardner 121) Elliot is emotionally pressured; he has to keep up his different personalities that he creates. This is shown after he spends time with another kid who has been a target of the Guardians; “He was splitting into multiple Elliots—Elliots who mustn’t meet under any circumstances—and he didn’t know how much longer he could handle them, or keep them apart.” (Gardner 102) The portrayal of Elliot’s character was very well created, since he was tough, shy, and emotionally pressured.
Katie Konstantopoulos Mrs. Russell ENG 1D1 05 May 17/09 Response
In response to Francesco’s answer, I have to admit that Francesco does make a few good points; Elliot is fearful and strong. Yet the reason for maturity that he gives to Elliot does not make sense. Elliot is mature in the sense that he realizes that many of the things happening within the school that has to do with the Guardians and other bullying is wrong and immoral, yet saying that he is mature because he agrees to hang out with Ben does not care that he is on the List does not give any substance to the characteristic. Yes, Ben is an endangering person to Elliot, but hanging around with him does not express maturity, it is just saying that Elliot is lonely and wants some regular company that he is more used to. Ben is only on the List because he is a scrawny kid that people like to pick on; Elliot can relate to this because he used to be in the exact same position that Ben is in now. To conclude then, the characteristics were good choices, yet the explanations were lacking in substance. Good job, Francesco!!! :-)
Elliot Sutton is a character that is very rich in thought, with a very hectic life. For one thing he is very frustrated with his depressed father, who has completely lost all reason to live; “How could he want his dad to die when his dad was already dead? The person he wanted to die was the man who sat there and said nothing; the man who stared silently, blankly into space…” (Gardner 15) Elliot’s thoughts continuously travel back to that frustration which is the root of his family’s awkward depression that has bounced them from place to place. Elliot is also very strategic; by moving around a lot and experiencing a lot of bullying he has the perfect strategy built up to “stand out enough just to fit it in” (Gardner back cover). He wants to do well with grades, but not too well; be good at sports but not an over achiever; he wants to be social but mid-rank. All of this planning and careful thought of every action seems to have made Elliot somewhat paranoid as well. First day of school, he evaluates every little thing about people he passes. For instance, “He had short blond hair brushed straight forward and sharp features that were friendly but at the same time faintly sneaky. Not to be trusted, Elliot thought immediately.” (Gardner 28) Elliot Sutton is a complicated boy trying his hardest to survive high school.
Question 3: Richard is the main protagonist character in the novel. He is apart of the "organization" group called "The Guardians". He has many characteristics about him, but the most dominating characteristics are power, secretive and cunning. Power was Richard's most dominating characteristic out of all three. "As soon as Oliver had finished, Richard flapped a hand. 'You can go now, Oliver.' 'Oh. Right.' Oliver said eagerly. His usual but sly confidence had gone. He was nervous, anxious to please. He slipped away into the woods" (Gardner 63) In this quote, it shows how the simplest of movements like waving a hand, could scare somebody so much. Another quote from the novel that represented his power was, "Richard's eyes flicked casually over Elliot. They seemed hardly to notice him, made it clear that they didn't need to notice him, and yet Elliot had the idea that the older boy was filing away every detail of him. He imagined it was the gaze of someone who could afford not to care about anyone or anything. Someone with absolute confidence, absolute power." (Gardner 64) This quote also shows that even when Richard does not say or do anything, other people can still sense his power. Richard's second largest characteristic was being secretive. "The Guardians' identities were closely guarded, only a few trusted Watchers, such as Oliver, ever saw them or knew them by name." (Gardner 86) This passage from the novel shows that everyone, especially Richard because he is high in ranking of the Guardians, are secretive in order to not get caught by teachers or anyone else of authority. The quote shows that the Guardians are all secretive and always have been. The third most dominating characteristic of the protagonist is cunning-ness. "He paused. 'Do you fancy a job like that, Elliot? Do you picture yourself watching people for us, reporting back on their every move? Who their friends are, what marks they get - well done on your last History essay, by the way; old Higgings is stingy with B-pluses - what deodorant they use, what dirty little secrets they have...' The comment on the history essay knocked Elliot sideways. Oliver wasn't in his history class. Who else was watching? Ten kids? A hundred? Quickly he recovered himself. The remark about the essay had been thrown in carefully. Richard must have worked out precisely what effect it was likely to have. Most likely he was relying on it to scare him into taking anything else on faith." (Gardner 69) This quote shows that Richard was a quick thinker and used his skills carefully to create a maximum effect on someone. The quote was used to scare Elliot into trying to find out who he could really trust, and that he was being closely watched by people he did not even suspect. The characteristics of power, secrecy, and cunning-ness are all good characteristics for a protagonist. The characteristics added a lot of atmosphere and plot developement for the story.
I believe that Terry is right but also wrong at the same time. I personally thought that Richard was the main protagonist in the novel because if he was not a character in the book, then there would be no Guardians, considered the group had disappeared back in previous years. But I do agree with Troy about Elliot. Elliot was being very selfish, dishonest and guilty in many ways. He could have stopped the bullying and done the right thing, yet he decided it would be best not to, just to save himself. At the end of the novel, Elliot did resolve the wars going on inside of him. He learned that he could not live as he was and realized that it was not right, not matter what the consequences were.
The protagonist in this novel is Elliot Sutton. He has 3 main characteristics; he is self-doubting, judgmental and self-conscious. Elliot is self-doubting because he never trusts his own opinions. He bases all of his decisions on what he thinks others will like or agree with. He is always unsure of what he should do because he is worried that others will judge him and take him the wrong way. "He couldn't hope that he simply wouldn't be noticed, so he had to ensure he would be noticed in the right way." (Gardner 35) Elliot is also judgmental because he judges other people's actions as well as his own. He notices how other people act the "wrong" way and doesn't want to make the same mistakes. He has an image that he wants to stay true to and that "image" is what Elliot thinks is the right way to act. As a matter of fact, that is how Elliot thinks that everybody should act. “He had short blond hair brushed straight forward and sharp features that were friendly but at the same time faintly sneaky. Not to be trusted, Elliot thought immediately.” (Gardner 28) Elliot is also self-conscious about his image and the way people think about him. He wasn't very open to meeting new people because he was worried about what people would think about his personality, his look, and his actions. He never actually felt good about himself until the end of the novel. He struggled trying to fit in because he was so self-conscious."Stand out just enough to fit in." (Gardner back cover) Elliot's character was quite interesting because he was self-doubting, judgmental and self-conscious which made the reader constantly guessing what choices Elliot was going to make next.
I agree with the points that Emily listed although i think that Elliot was the protagonist because the events revolve around him, where as the events are caused by Richard. Richard is very powerful and i think that the characteristics that were stated are very appropriate for Richard's character. Richard is a very powerful character and he has a lot of control over Elliot. Emily clearly described Richard's characteristics and how Elliot felt over-powered by Richard.
14 comments:
The protagonist, Elliot, is selfish, dishonest, and guilty. Elliot is selfish because his top priority is his own survival and this resolve to stay alive makes him care more about himself than anyone else. "If it's someone else, at least it isn't you. He knew he was crying for himself, not for anyone else." (Gardner 53) Elliot is also dishoest because he lies a lot and keeps secrets from people should have the right to know about them. One such case was when the headmaster of Holminster asked Elliot if there was a gang at the school (unknowingly, the headmaster was referring to the Guardians). And after Elliot became a Guardian he gave this answer. "No. I've never come across anything. Nothing at all." (Gardner 112) Despite though despisable qualities, Eliot feels horrible being like what he is, evident when he thinks to himself about being a Guardian. "Somehow the thought of that power - power over life and death - was almost as awful as not having power at all." (Gardner 131) Elliot's path down self-destruction shows he is an interesting character.
Roman Lapshin
Ms. Morris
ENG 1D1
May 7 2009
Elliot is an unconfident boy, who overcomes his fears of bullying and becomes, strong willed, and a strategic thinker. but by the end of the book, he learns that inside him, he has a lot of inner strength.
Strong willed:
On pg 36-37, Elliot talked about having to stand out in the right way, so he tried out for the swimming team. At first, he was really nervous, but then...
"Elliot took up his position. his toes gripped the edge of the pool. He didn't trust himself to look anywhere but the water in front of him.
[i]My only chance.[i]
he pulled his goggles down over his eyes, checked they were tight. breathed deeply, tasted the familiar, clean chemical smell of pool disinfectant. tensed, ready for the gun. around him the other swimmers must have been doing likewise, but he was hardly aware of them, they were no longer important. the only real reality - the only important reality - was his body and the water beneath.
Suddenly he wasn't nervous anymore.
[i]I can do this[i]
He heard the gun fire." (Gardiner 38)
Then of course, he goes on to being the fastest of the group.
Strategic thinker:
When Elliot first gets to the school he completely analyses every situation, every person, and how he should treat them. This quote was when he first met Oliver.
“He had short blonde hair brushed straight forward, and sharp features that were friendly but at the same time faintly sneaky.
[i]Not to be trusted,[i] Elliot thought immediately.” (Gardiner 28)
Inner Strength:
At the end of the book, Elliot is displeased with how his life is going, and decides to tell the principal about the Guardians. On the way to the office, Elliot realizes a lot of things: how his life got worse since he became a Guardian and how things won’t get any better if he continues to be a Guardian.
“Yet, he suddenly saw, at the same time part of him had chosen not to die. The old Elliots – the Elliots he’d done his utmost to kill – had stubbornly clung on to life. Must have, because he was still afraid.
[i]Not dying after all my efforts,[i] he thought[i] that surely, takes strength.[i]” (Gardiner 182)
Graham Gardiner did a great job with developing Elliot and he really made him a believable character with realistic attributes.
Maria Kostakis Kostakis 3
Ms. Morris
ENG 1D1
12 May 2009
Blogging Response on Question #3
The three specific characteristics Roman had chosen to describe the protagonist’s character (Elliot) surely describe him in a clear manner. Elliot is definitely a strategic thinker, has inner strength, and is strong willed. For instance he has inner strength or else he wouldn’t have been able to eventually go to the Head Master’s office and tell him everything that had happened, and be able to take the consequences once he had told him. “He thought, I’m afraid, but I’m still going through with it.” (Gibbons 183) This quote proves that he found the inner strength to tell someone of higher authority. Therefore, it is agreeable to suggest that Roman chose the correct three characteristics that thoroughly describe Elliot as a character.
Francesco Marini Part A #2
Mrs.Russel
ENG 1D1- 06
May 14, 2009
3) The Protagonist character Elliot can be described as fearful, mature and strong. Elliot is a fearful person because he is always wondering what’s going to happen to him later and never goes into a new situation with a good attitude. He is always scared something is going to happen to him. “And whatever Ben said, it was still a massive risk being where anyone might see them together (Gardner 133).” He shows maturity because he agrees to hang out with Ben who is a kid who has no friends at all. Even knowing that hanging out with Ben could get him into big trouble. “He thought about what else to do. He was in no hurry to get home – not with his parents in the house together. The alternative was hanging around the shops on his own all morning, as he usually did. And although this kid, Ben, was one of the last people on earth he could afford to be seen with, at the moment there was no one around; and if they went back to his house nobody was going to see them… (Gardner 91)” Elliot is strong because at the end of the book he fights everything and knocks on the principals’ door to reveal the secret club and that takes so much guts for him to accomplish. “He brought his hand up again, and this time he didn’t hesitate (Gardner 183).” Mature, strong and fearful are words that describe the main character Elliot.
Daniel Velocci
Ms. Morris
ENG 1D1
May 15, 2009
ISU Part B Reply
I agree with Roman on this question because I agree that Elliot in the beginning of the book was a unconfident boy who thought that every part of him was not worth the trouble of being made into human being but as the months go on at his new school he begins to think more highly of himself by joining the swimming team and getting a girlfriend latter on in the book. He is also a strategic thinker as you stated because once he arrived at his new school he analyzed every situation that could have turned out like his old school and tried to avoid them. You have made a very good opinion and I agree 100%.
Part B: Literary Blog Discussion
I somewhat disagree with Terry's opinion on the protagonist, Elliot's character. Even though Elliot focused "on his own survival" this was only because he suffered so much at his old school from brutal violence that he never wanted to go back to that place again. "He couldn't hope that he simply wouldn't be noticed, so he had to ensure he would be noticed in the right way." (Gardner 35) I completely understand where Elliot's actions are coming from and why he did it. It wasn't to be selfish or only think about himself, but to avoid getting hurt. Also, Terry said that he thinks Elliot is dishonest because he lied to the principal about The Guardians. This was a wrong decision for Elliot to make and is dishonest, but once again he was in a tough position and I understand where he was coming from and why he chose to do that. The guilty characteristic that Terry listed I strongly agree with because like Terry said, he knew what he was doing and felt horrible over everything. That is why as the story unfolds and the novel came to an end Elliot did the right thing and told the principal about the Guardians and finally found himself. Good job on your answer Terry. :)
Katie Konstantopoulos
Mrs. Russell
ENG 1D1 05
May 17/09
The protagonist of this story was Elliot Sutton, who has three main characteristics; he is strong-minded, insecure, and emotionally pressured. He is a strong-minded person; throughout the whole book, he struggles with many things that he does not like or feels uncomfortable about, and his choices with them affect the rest of his life and personality. This is demonstrated in the following quote when Elliot starts to figure out that the Guardians want him to become one of them, “A cold worm crawled into Elliot’s head. This can’t be why I’ve been called out here. No way…No way… The unspoken question drove the breath out of him. He wanted to turn and run, but his legs were rigid.” (Gardner 82-3) Elliot is also a shy and insecure individual, especially around the opposite sex. This is shown when Elliot talks to Louise for the second time, and is afraid that he looks like an idiot; “He struggled for something to say, this time thinking how she was likely to respond and interpret his words. He started talking about [a book], which he’d been reading at the weekend, then trailed off, realising he must come across as ridiculous: accosting her, accusing her, and now babbling pointlessly at her.” (Gardner 121) Elliot is emotionally pressured; he has to keep up his different personalities that he creates. This is shown after he spends time with another kid who has been a target of the Guardians; “He was splitting into multiple Elliots—Elliots who mustn’t meet under any circumstances—and he didn’t know how much longer he could handle them, or keep them apart.” (Gardner 102) The portrayal of Elliot’s character was very well created, since he was tough, shy, and emotionally pressured.
Katie Konstantopoulos
Mrs. Russell
ENG 1D1 05
May 17/09
Response
In response to Francesco’s answer, I have to admit that Francesco does make a few good points; Elliot is fearful and strong. Yet the reason for maturity that he gives to Elliot does not make sense.
Elliot is mature in the sense that he realizes that many of the things happening within the school that has to do with the Guardians and other bullying is wrong and immoral, yet saying that he is mature because he agrees to hang out with Ben does not care that he is on the List does not give any substance to the characteristic. Yes, Ben is an endangering person to Elliot, but hanging around with him does not express maturity, it is just saying that Elliot is lonely and wants some regular company that he is more used to. Ben is only on the List because he is a scrawny kid that people like to pick on; Elliot can relate to this because he used to be in the exact same position that Ben is in now.
To conclude then, the characteristics were good choices, yet the explanations were lacking in substance. Good job, Francesco!!! :-)
Elliot Sutton is a character that is very rich in thought, with a very hectic life. For one thing he is very frustrated with his depressed father, who has completely lost all reason to live; “How could he want his dad to die when his dad was already dead? The person he wanted to die was the man who sat there and said nothing; the man who stared silently, blankly into space…” (Gardner 15) Elliot’s thoughts continuously travel back to that frustration which is the root of his family’s awkward depression that has bounced them from place to place. Elliot is also very strategic; by moving around a lot and experiencing a lot of bullying he has the perfect strategy built up to “stand out enough just to fit it in” (Gardner back cover). He wants to do well with grades, but not too well; be good at sports but not an over achiever; he wants to be social but mid-rank. All of this planning and careful thought of every action seems to have made Elliot somewhat paranoid as well. First day of school, he evaluates every little thing about people he passes. For instance, “He had short blond hair brushed straight forward and sharp features that were friendly but at the same time faintly sneaky. Not to be trusted, Elliot thought immediately.” (Gardner 28) Elliot Sutton is a complicated boy trying his hardest to survive high school.
Question 3:
Richard is the main protagonist character in the novel. He is apart of the "organization" group called "The Guardians". He has many characteristics about him, but the most dominating characteristics are power, secretive and cunning. Power was Richard's most dominating characteristic out of all three. "As soon as Oliver had finished, Richard flapped a hand. 'You can go now, Oliver.' 'Oh. Right.' Oliver said eagerly. His usual but sly confidence had gone. He was nervous, anxious to please. He slipped away into the woods" (Gardner 63) In this quote, it shows how the simplest of movements like waving a hand, could scare somebody so much. Another quote from the novel that represented his power was, "Richard's eyes flicked casually over Elliot. They seemed hardly to notice him, made it clear that they didn't need to notice him, and yet Elliot had the idea that the older boy was filing away every detail of him. He imagined it was the gaze of someone who could afford not to care about anyone or anything. Someone with absolute confidence, absolute power." (Gardner 64) This quote also shows that even when Richard does not say or do anything, other people can still sense his power. Richard's second largest characteristic was being secretive. "The Guardians' identities were closely guarded, only a few trusted Watchers, such as Oliver, ever saw them or knew them by name." (Gardner 86) This passage from the novel shows that everyone, especially Richard because he is high in ranking of the Guardians, are secretive in order to not get caught by teachers or anyone else of authority. The quote shows that the Guardians are all secretive and always have been. The third most dominating characteristic of the protagonist is cunning-ness. "He paused. 'Do you fancy a job like that, Elliot? Do you picture yourself watching people for us, reporting back on their every move? Who their friends are, what marks they get - well done on your last History essay, by the way; old Higgings is stingy with B-pluses - what deodorant they use, what dirty little secrets they have...' The comment on the history essay knocked Elliot sideways. Oliver wasn't in his history class. Who else was watching? Ten kids? A hundred? Quickly he recovered himself. The remark about the essay had been thrown in carefully. Richard must have worked out precisely what effect it was likely to have. Most likely he was relying on it to scare him into taking anything else on faith." (Gardner 69) This quote shows that Richard was a quick thinker and used his skills carefully to create a maximum effect on someone. The quote was used to scare Elliot into trying to find out who he could really trust, and that he was being closely watched by people he did not even suspect. The characteristics of power, secrecy, and cunning-ness are all good characteristics for a protagonist. The characteristics added a lot of atmosphere and plot developement for the story.
In response to Terry's answer:
I believe that Terry is right but also wrong at the same time. I personally thought that Richard was the main protagonist in the novel because if he was not a character in the book, then there would be no Guardians, considered the group had disappeared back in previous years. But I do agree with Troy about Elliot. Elliot was being very selfish, dishonest and guilty in many ways. He could have stopped the bullying and done the right thing, yet he decided it would be best not to, just to save himself. At the end of the novel, Elliot did resolve the wars going on inside of him. He learned that he could not live as he was and realized that it was not right, not matter what the consequences were.
The protagonist in this novel is Elliot Sutton. He has 3 main characteristics; he is self-doubting, judgmental and self-conscious. Elliot is self-doubting because he never trusts his own opinions. He bases all of his decisions on what he thinks others will like or agree with. He is always unsure of what he should do because he is worried that others will judge him and take him the wrong way. "He couldn't hope that he simply wouldn't be noticed, so he had to ensure he would be noticed in the right way." (Gardner 35) Elliot is also judgmental because he judges other people's actions as well as his own. He notices how other people act the "wrong" way and doesn't want to make the same mistakes. He has an image that he wants to stay true to and that "image" is what Elliot thinks is the right way to act. As a matter of fact, that is how Elliot thinks that everybody should act. “He had short blond hair brushed straight forward and sharp features that were friendly but at the same time faintly sneaky. Not to be trusted, Elliot thought immediately.” (Gardner 28) Elliot is also self-conscious about his image and the way people think about him. He wasn't very open to meeting new people because he was worried about what people would think about his personality, his look, and his actions. He never actually felt good about himself until the end of the novel. He struggled trying to fit in because he was so self-conscious."Stand out just enough to fit in." (Gardner back cover) Elliot's character was quite interesting because he was self-doubting, judgmental and self-conscious which made the reader constantly guessing what choices Elliot was going to make next.
In response to Emily's Answer:
I agree with the points that Emily listed although i think that Elliot was the protagonist because the events revolve around him, where as the events are caused by Richard. Richard is very powerful and i think that the characteristics that were stated are very appropriate for Richard's character. Richard is a very powerful character and he has a lot of control over Elliot. Emily clearly described Richard's characteristics and how Elliot felt over-powered by Richard.
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