Essay Questions

Examine the similarities and differences between Chap's expectations for his new life and what actually transpires.

When he comes up with the plan to assume the identity of Cassiel, Chap thinks he's about to enter into an easy life, free of hardship and with the added benefit of being part of a warm, loving family. From the outset, Chap realizes that this façade will be difficult and energy-consuming to maintain; in the first few minutes of interacting with his family members, he always has to be on his toes, ready to guess and fake his way through all his conversations to keep up the charade of Cassiel. This continual struggle to convince Cassiel's family of his authenticity is exhausting (like living on a knife-edge), and Cassiel quickly finds out that his new life will be significantly harder than he had anticipated. It still was not without its benefits, though; he didn't have to worry about food or shelter anymore, and he had something of a familial connection.

By the end of the novel, however, Chap's world turns into the fantasy he once harbored. After discovering his real identity as Damiel, Cassiel's twin, and stopping the villainous endeavors of Frank, Chap is accepted into his rightful place as a member of the family.

How does Chap's character develop through the course of the novel?

At the beginning of the novel, when living on his own as an orphan, Chap proves himself to be a selfish, unfeeling teenager with little to no regard for other people. He is a remorseless criminal, and he felt no moral guilt in considering and hatching his plan to impersonate another person and steal his life.

Interestingly, though, soon after setting this plan into motion, Chap suddenly (and inexplicably?) transforms into a thoughtful, caring young man with a heart for justice. He puts himself at risk to get to the bottom of Cassiel's disappearance, and he goes to a lot of trouble to discover the truth and apprehend those responsible. His zeal in carrying out this plan contrasts with his earlier narcissism and complacency. This character development, while sudden and perhaps unwarranted, is a remarkable juxtaposition, and it is a good one for the hardened character of Chap. When he discards his old name and adopts the new (and original) Damiel, his transformation is complete.