Blood Red Road Character Analysis

Characterization

In Moira Young’s novel, Blood Red Road, the protagonist and narrator, Saba, is a highly dynamic character. To begin, Saba’s evolution from being remarkably dependent on her twin brother Lugh to evolving into an individual who is able to solve their own complications and be a passionate leader is an example of her being a dynamic character. In the text, Saba defines her beginning of dynamics by saying “Lugh works on the roof while I do what I always do, which is clamber up an down the ladder and hand him what he needs.” (Young 9). This quote proves how Saba relies heavily on her older brother to guide her and get her through her difficulties. Lugh completes all the tasks that she needs and she acts as a helping hand or an assist to him. After losing Lugh because of the Tonton, Saba is lost in the reality of the world outside without a

guide.

In my opinion. Moira Young, effectively develops Saba in this situation as she now has to discover her own capabilities and become a chaperone for her younger sister Emmi. As the novel progresses, Saba is put through an assortment of situations in which she must act with quickness and intelligence. This develops her character into a more well-drawn and well-rounded person. By the end of the novel Saba has grown into a fierce fighter, unbeatable survivor and cunning opponent. We learn this when Saba explains, “I take a deep breath. Sit up straighter. Let him come, I says. I ain’t come all this way jest to let that bastard win.” (Young 414). This quote explains how Saba has transformed into a greatly fierce and confident leader. Furthermore, Young effectively makes Saba particularly interesting to get to know as you never completely understand what her capabilities are as she learns more about herself and obtains new skills as the

novel progresses.
A text-to-text connection can be made between Saba and Jack, the charming thief she meets after the Free Hawks escape the prison in Hopetown. Saba and Jack are extremely alike when they are first introduced. They are both heavily dependent on their surrounding characters and fail to do much without them because they have never done so. Saba was always relying on her older twin brother Lugh and Jack always relied on the Free Hawks. After meeting each other they both began evolving into more dynamic characters as Jack was guiding Saba to Freedom Fields, which was the first time he had ever taken a leadership role. Saba led the group once they reached Freedom Fields by creating a plan to get Lugh back and eliminate the king. Saba and Jack both began as very simple characters but throughout the novel as they come across different complications that they must solve they evolve into very complex characters that can be independent and are confident in themselves creating a pair of extremely dynamic characters.