* PASSAGE DISCUSSION 12: Initial thoughts on Peter?

[Marc]

So, we've lost our original cast (for now, at least). What are your early thoughts on the POV that we've spent the post time with so far: Peter?

[Jess]

This is my 2nd read through but both reads Peter is instantly a favorite! I may be a little vague in my thoughts but only because I'm way ahead of the read along and do not want to produce any spoilers.

I love we meet him at a pivotal moment in his life. Ida Jaxon's journal and the Document of One Law is enough to give you an idea of what his life has been thus far, but his first paragraph alone tells you that he's destined for something more. At times his resistance to lead and naïveté about certain situations made me yell at the pages. Yet in hindsight, had he taken on responsibility of being the head Jaxon in their governing body, his decisions would have been very different. He notices that everyone looks to him for guidance but he need to choose for himself when it was right to lead. You root for him throughout his journey.

He definitely has more pressure than other characters. Again, he's not the head of his household but there is still an aura of "leader" surrounding him. Peter is compassionate but realizes that bad things happened because it's the world they live. It doesn't make those experiences less sh*tty but keeps life in perspective.

[Glenna]

As Jess pointed out, the first paragraph of chapter 19 says a lot about Peter and in fairly dramatic fashion: the first sentence, "...late in the last hours of his old life, Peter Jaxon..." and the last, "...waiting to kill his brother." And in between, "Peter of Souls, the Man of Days and the One Who Stood" -- what an opening!

Peter is a blueblood, if you will, of the colony, having descended from the first leaders. The description of him in the second paragraph of chapter 19 was that of a strong hero-to-be, and I think he is, but he also has his insecurities. He is the younger brother, so he has the usual mixed feelings of admiration and resentment for Theo, and maybe measures himself against Theo and feels that he comes up short. When later he recalls his mother's death we learn it was understood in their family that he was his mother's favorite and Theo his father's. But her last words, spoken in Peter's presence, were to Theo, telling him to take care of Peter because he wasn't strong like Theo. This was a terrible blow to Peter and it's something he can never forget. I think it will cause him to doubt his ability to lead.

[Sheri]

I don't know if Peter feels he has something to prove, or he feels like he has nothing to offer (this is the Peter as introduced, not the Peter we know as the book hurtles forward). What I do know is many people dismiss him, and that has quite an affect on a person. Alicia and Sara, two strong women, both recognize that he has more to offer than he (and others) see, and I think that says something about their characters. Listen to the smart women, people! Peter has such amazing growth throughout the story, he can't help but be a favorite of many readers.