It is only at the end of the novel that the Daroga discloses remaining details about Erik’s life. Erik’s immersion in a world of psychological and physical violence, visible in the way other adults treated him as a mere instrument, gives context to his own callous behavior, in which he is apt to treat others as objects he can discard instead of as full human beings worthy of respect. This personal history highlights the injustice of Erik’s life, as his appearance has kept him from forming deep connections with others.