Protagonist

Character Role Analysis

Shorty

We know what you're thinking: Shorty and Toussaint share the spotlight in the book, so they are both the protagonists. Sure, we can see an argument for that. But Shorty gets more time in the limelight, and the book is framed around him.

We also get to see Shorty change over the course of the novel. He starts out as a naïve kid who doesn't see the harm in performing tricks with his twin sis for Dread, but before long he realizes that he's gotten himself caught up in a gang. That's why our money is on Shorty for the protagonist.