Nicholas is the novel's protagonist, with the story of his journey of transformation making up its narrative spine, or through line. He is, on some level, the archetype of The Hero, a character similar to that found in many myths and legends, one whose external conflicts trigger internal transformation and ultimately spiritual transcendence. Unlike many other Hero characters, however, Nicholas is more reactive than active - where other Hero characters fight and conquer, Nicholas experiences and reacts, taking genuinely overt action only at the end of the novel when the external obstacles placed in his path by the various antagonists (Conchis, Alison, Lily, etc) are ostensibly removed. This reactive side to his character makes him more like The Fool, an equally archetypal aspect of humanity portrayed on the first card of the ancient Tarot,.....
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