The Protagonist’s Transformation in Markus Zusak’s I Am the Messenger
The Protagonist’s Transformation in Markus Zusak’s I Am the Messenger
“It’s not a big thing, but i guess it’s true - big things are often just small things that are noticed” (221). It doesn’t seem like a big thing to Ed Kennedy when he receives his first ace. But after receiving four playing cards, each containing a message to deliver to someone in his community, it becomes obvious that the situation is indeed momentous. In the novel, I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak, Ed Kennedy, the protagonist, is introduced as an underage cabdriver with no goals or ambitions. However, after receiving the playing cards, visiting twelve different people, and helping each one, Ed realizes even an ordinary guy like himself has the potential to live beyond what he initially believes he is capable of. Because of the obstacles Ed endures and overcomes while delivering the cards’ messages, he transforms from his once pessimistic self into a benevolent and capable person. Because of the messages, Ed recognizes his own courage, creates new friendships, and confronts his own issues to improve his life. Before delivering the messages, Ed turns a blind eye towards any predicaments that require bravery. However, the messages demand a sense of courage. For this reason, Ed is forced to act courageously to deliver the messages, thus attaining a life-long sense of courage. The first playing card Ed receives contains three addresses, the first of which being 45 Edgar Street. At this address, Ed observes an alcoholic husbad rape his wife in front of their daughter, Angelina, almost every night. Ed continues to visit the home each night to observe, and after a while, he receives a note and a gun in the mail. He comes to realize that the message he must deliver to the nefarious alcoholic is that of fear. As a result of this realization, Ed chooses a night, picks the man up from the bar in his taxi, stupifies him with a flask of whiskey containing sedatives, and drives him away from town.
“It’s not a big thing, but i guess it’s true - big things are often just small things that are noticed” (221). It doesn’t seem like a big thing to Ed Kennedy when he receives his first ace. But after receiving four playing cards, each containing a message to deliver to someone in his community, it becomes obvious that the situation is indeed momentous. In the novel, I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak, Ed Kennedy, the protagonist, is introduced as an underage cabdriver with no goals or ambitions. However, after receiving the playing cards, visiting twelve different people, and helping each one, Ed realizes even an ordinary guy like himself has the potential to live beyond what he initially believes he is capable of. Because of the obstacles Ed endures and overcomes while delivering the cards’ messages, he transforms from his once pessimistic self into a benevolent and capable person. Because of the messages, Ed recognizes his own courage, creates new friendships, and confronts his own issues to improve his life. Before delivering the messages, Ed turns a blind eye towards any predicaments that require bravery. However, the messages demand a sense of courage. For this reason, Ed is forced to act courageously to deliver the messages, thus attaining a life-long sense of courage. The first playing card Ed receives contains three addresses, the first of which being 45 Edgar Street. At this address, Ed observes an alcoholic husbad rape his wife in front of their daughter, Angelina, almost every night. Ed continues to visit the home each night to observe, and after a while, he receives a note and a gun in the mail. He comes to realize that the message he must deliver to the nefarious alcoholic is that of fear. As a result of this realization, Ed chooses a night, picks the man up from the bar in his taxi, stupifies him with a flask of whiskey containing sedatives, and drives him away from town.