Theo

Character Analysis

One Righteous Dude

Theo is a pretty straightforward dude—at least at first. He likes his quiet life in the small town of Dorning and appreciates the routine. He's a moral guy and is pretty predictable, a man of simple—and straightforward—ideas and pleasures. Check it out:

As for Theo, he loved virtue, despised injustice, and was always slightly hungry. Apart from that, he was reasonably happy. (1.3)

Likes good, hates bad, always hungry, pretty happy—not a super complicated guy, right? So when outside forces shake up his life and throw him into the company of some questionable people, Theo is understandably indignant.

He respects honesty above almost all else, so he doesn't expect Las Bombas to be a trickster for a living (we'll call this a rookie mistake). But as he develops a clearer picture of Las Bombas—he's a con man, basically, Shmoopsters—Theo, despite his instincts, finds himself really liking the guy. Can you say moral crisis? Because that's what ensues for our main man.

Should he care about a mischief-maker like Las Bombas? What kind of person does that make him? If he isn't the moral guy he always thought he was, then who is he? His actions make him seriously question the identity he spent his life building up for himself. At one point, when he's chatting with Florian and Dr. Torrens, he questions who he is at his very core:

"I have to," said Theo. "I have to understand. You know what happened in Dorning. I swore then I'd never try to take another man's life. Killing is wrong. I believed that. I still do. But now I wonder. Do I believe it because I want to be a decent man? Or—because I'm a coward?" (19.29)

That's some serious self-doubt, isn't it? Worry not, though, because eventually, Theo comes to understand that people—himself included—are usually not quite as black-and-white as they might appear. He can accept some shades of gray (though maybe not fifty).

Theo the Rebel

Theo joins Florian's Children and is pretty happy to help shake up the status quo in Westmark. Seeking Florian's approval and utilizing his own talents picked up from working with Anton, Theo creates a new printing press for the rebels. Now he's the one responsible for sending out whatever information Florian thinks the people should hear—he's in a position of power, directly opposed to Cabbarus, the guy who wants to shut down printing presses and got Theo in trouble in the first place.

Growing up almost always involves rebellion of some sort, and this job running the rebel printing press is Theo's rebellious coming-of-age moment; it's his first real job on his own. Sure he hung with Las Bombas and his crew, but he just did what they told him to (until he ran away, that is). Now he's old enough to decide for himself how he wants to use his talents… and he chooses to work against the status quo (read: Cabby) that got him in trouble in the first place. It's a bonus if justice comes out of his work—plus he gets new friends. Yay for friends.

When Florian asks Theo to write and disseminate a pamphlet about the injustices done to Anton, a piece of information that will be used to make people realize just how bad the government is, Theo doesn't hesitate. Heck, dude even gives up his spare time to help the cause. Check it out:

Theo agreed willingly. From then on, he worked at three occupations. Days, he sat in the tavern and drafted letters for his customers. Evenings, he labored over the press in the warehouse. Afterwards, far into the night, he tried to write his account. (15.14)

Theo is happy to not only be part of a group of friends he thinks are good people, but also to honor his former master. He's doing what the thinks is right, as he takes on more and more tasks for Florian, even helping in the fight in Nierkeeping (though admittedly, he's mainly there to spring his friends from jail). Not only does Theo begin to rebel, but it seems he really likes it.

I'll Be There For You

Theo's one loyal friend, and he readily cares about the people around him and does his best to help them be the best people they can be (at least, the way he thinks they should be). So when Anton tells Theo to flee from the soldiers, Theo's first instinct is to figure out when he can rejoin his master—and when he finds out about Anton's death, Theo is devastated. Not only does it represent the end of life—and his childhood-cum-apprenticeship—as he knows it, but it also marks the passing of the closest thing he's ever had to a father figure. It's a major bummer.

Later, when teaming up with Musket and Las Bombas, Theo isn't crazy about the antics they get up to. Even so though, he still cares about the guys who took him in off the streets and gave him a job. When he leaves the group behind because he just can't take their trickery anymore, Theo feels terribly guilty, which is super clear in his response to hearing that Las Bombas, Musket, and Mickle were captured in Nierkeeping. Check it out:

"I can't stay here and do nothing. There must be some way. I'm going. I'll take my chances."

"I won't let you do that," said Florian.

"Won't let me?" cried Theo. "No one's going to stop me. Not even you."

Theo was astonished at his own words. No one spoke that way to Florian. Nevertheless, he stood his ground and looked him squarely in the face." (17.33-36)

Someone's got clear eyes and a full heart here, doesn't he? Theo doesn't even consider the danger to himself—his sole focus is on trying to save the people who helped him and cared for him (even if he ultimately decided not to keep their company), especially the girl he loves.