Community and Alienation

Much of the novel’s dramatic substance evolves around the ways in which characters form connections with each other, or the ways in which characters repel each other. One of the most prominent examples of these dynamics is the fact that Journeyman is technically part of the Tinderwick community, and yet he is often treated as an outsider. Journeyman was only present in Tinderwick during the Arrest because he was visiting his sister, and then the Arrest forced Journeyman to become a permanent resident. Journeyman’s alienation is highly evident when the rest of Tinderwick decides to execute their anti-Todbaum plan without informing him of the details. The narration states, “Journeyman felt included-out. This was a conspiracy he’d missed” (197). By the end of the novel, Journeyman’s acceptance in the community has not necessarily increased, but his comfort there appears to improve, and...