Messenger Character Analysis

Matty

The protagonist of the novel; though it doesn't give his age, he's probably around fourteen or fifteen years old. Matty is a kind and compassionate adolescent, and he loves learning things. Matty came from a… read analysis of Matty

Leader

The leader of Village, who was the character Jonas from The Giver. Though he appears older to Matty, he's still a young man in his early 20s. He arrived in Village years ago… read analysis of Leader

Kira

Kira is Seer's daughter; she was the protagonist of Messenger’s prequel, Gathering Blue. She lives in a village a week's walk away from Village, has a "crooked leg" and so walks with… read analysis of Kira

Mentor

Mentor is the local teacher in Village. At first, Mentor is a kind man who looks out for everyone in Village, especially children who have never been to school before. He's middle-aged, stooped, and balding… read analysis of Mentor

Seer

Seer (who is named Christopher in Gathering Blue) is the blind man that Matty lives with. He arrived in Village years before Matty was born after being injured and left for dead by men… read analysis of Seer

Ramon

Ramon is one of Matty's best friends. Though he's kind and caring, Ramon is also boastful and self-important, to the point of making Matty sarcastically wonder whether Ramon's true name might be Boaster or… read analysis of Ramon

Jean

Jean is Mentor's daughter. She's a young girl with curly hair who's about Matty's age, and she has a reputation for flirting with many different boys. She grows flowers and bakes bread, all of… read analysis of Jean

Frolic / The Puppy

An energetic puppy born to Mentor and Jean's dog. Thanks to Matty's use of his gift, Frolic and his mother are the only ones to survive a sickness that strikes the entire litter… read analysis of Frolic / The Puppy

The Woman

A woman who comes to Village with her son, Vladik. Though happy to be in Village, when the residents vote to close Village to outsiders, the woman considers leaving Vladik and returning to her… read analysis of The Woman

Minor Characters

Gatherer

Gatherer is a young man who is entangled and killed by Forest. In life, he was kind and generous; both Ramon and Matty remember him fondly for tossing berries in their mouths as he passed by. He leaves behind a wife, toddler, and new infant.

Stocktender's Widow

A woman in Village whom Mentor wishes to court. The one time she appears, she seems cruel and suggests that Mentor will have to trade a lot more of his true self and become more handsome before she'll return his advances.

Trademaster

A mysterious man who oversees proceedings at the Trade Mart. He came to Village already with a true name and appears callous, cruel, and secretive.

Vladik

The woman's son, and the only one of his siblings that the woman brings to Village with her.

Herbalist

The herbalist in Village.

Messenger

Lois Lowry

Messenger Characters