Estimated read time: 7 min read
Table of Contents
List of Characters
| Character Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Dwight | Protagonist |
| Tommy | Protagonist |
| Harvey | Antagonist |
| Principal Rabbski | Supporting Character |
| Origami Yoda | Supporting Character |
| Sara | Supporting Character |
Role Identification
In "Darth Paper Strikes Back" by Tom Angleberger, the characters play various roles that contribute to the development of the story. The two main protagonists are Dwight and Tommy, who are students at McQuarrie Middle School. Harvey serves as the primary antagonist, creating conflict and tension throughout the book. Principal Rabbski, Origami Yoda, and Sara also play supporting roles, influencing the actions and decisions of the main characters.
Character Descriptions
- Dwight: Dwight is a sixth-grade student who is known for his creativity and love for origami. He is often seen with his origami puppet, Origami Yoda, which he uses to give advice to his classmates. Dwight is portrayed as an outsider and is frequently bullied by Harvey.
- Tommy: Tommy is Dwight's best friend and the narrator of the story. He is an intelligent and observant character who initially doubts the authenticity of Origami Yoda's wisdom. Tommy is determined to uncover the truth behind Dwight's origami puppet.
- Harvey: Harvey is the main antagonist of the story. He is a classmate of Dwight and Tommy and frequently bullies Dwight. Harvey becomes suspicious of Origami Yoda's advice and sets out to prove that Dwight is a fraud.
- Principal Rabbski: Principal Rabbski is the school principal who is initially skeptical of Origami Yoda's influence on the students. Throughout the story, she observes the impact of Origami Yoda and eventually becomes more open-minded.
- Origami Yoda: Origami Yoda is the origami puppet created by Dwight. The character is portrayed as wise and insightful, providing advice to Dwight's classmates. The authenticity of Origami Yoda's wisdom is a central theme in the book.
- Sara: Sara is a classmate of Dwight and Tommy. She is one of the students who seeks advice from Origami Yoda and believes in its wisdom. Sara is portrayed as kind-hearted and supportive of Dwight.
Character Traits
- Dwight: Creative, misunderstood, resilient, determined
- Tommy: Intelligent, skeptical, curious, loyal
- Harvey: Bully, skeptical, persistent, competitive
- Principal Rabbski: Skeptical, observant, open-minded, fair
- Origami Yoda: Wise, mysterious, enigmatic, influential
- Sara: Kind-hearted, supportive, empathetic, curious
Character Background
- Dwight: Dwight is a sixth-grade student who has always been seen as an outsider by his classmates. He finds solace in creating origami and uses Origami Yoda as a means to connect with others. Dwight's background is not extensively explored in the book, but his creativity and resilience suggest he has faced challenges in the past.
- Tommy: Tommy is a sixth-grade student who is known for his intelligence. He is often seen as the voice of reason among his classmates. Tommy's background is not explicitly mentioned, but his curiosity and skepticism suggest that he values logic and evidence.
- Harvey: Harvey is a classmate of Dwight and Tommy who frequently bullies Dwight. His background is not explicitly mentioned, but his competitive nature and skepticism towards Origami Yoda suggest he may have insecurities of his own.
- Principal Rabbski: Principal Rabbski is the school principal who is responsible for maintaining order and discipline. Her background is not explored in detail, but her initial skepticism towards Origami Yoda suggests she prioritizes rationality and evidence.
- Origami Yoda: Origami Yoda is an origami puppet created by Dwight. Its background is not revealed, adding to the mystery surrounding the character. Origami Yoda's wisdom and influence over the students suggest it has a deeper understanding of human nature.
- Sara: Sara is a classmate of Dwight and Tommy who seeks advice from Origami Yoda. Her background is not explicitly mentioned, but her compassionate nature and curiosity suggest she values emotional intelligence.
Character Arcs
- Dwight: Throughout the book, Dwight undergoes a significant character arc. Initially seen as an outsider, Dwight gains confidence as the students begin to believe in Origami Yoda's wisdom. He stands up to Harvey and shows resilience in the face of adversity.
- Tommy: Tommy's character arc revolves around his skepticism towards Origami Yoda. As the narrator of the story, he begins to question the authenticity of Origami Yoda's advice. However, as he witnesses the positive impact on his classmates, Tommy becomes more open-minded and learns to trust his instincts.
- Harvey: Harvey's character arc is primarily focused on his journey from being a skeptic to a believer in Origami Yoda's wisdom. As he tries to expose Dwight's fraudulence, Harvey discovers that Origami Yoda's advice is genuine and ultimately becomes more empathetic towards Dwight.
- Principal Rabbski: Principal Rabbski's character arc involves her transformation from a skeptical authority figure to a more open-minded and understanding principal. As she observes the positive impact of Origami Yoda, Principal Rabbski begins to question her initial doubts.
- Origami Yoda: Although Origami Yoda is an inanimate object, its influence over the other characters is significant. Its character arc revolves around the mystery surrounding its origins and the impact it has on the students. Origami Yoda's wisdom ultimately helps bring the characters together and resolves conflicts.
- Sara: While Sara's character arc is not as pronounced as the others, she grows in her belief in Origami Yoda's wisdom and becomes more confident in expressing her opinions. She serves as a supportive friend to Dwight and Tommy, encouraging them to continue their quest for the truth.
Relationships
- Dwight and Tommy: Dwight and Tommy share a strong bond of friendship. Tommy narrates the story and supports Dwight in his journey to prove the authenticity of Origami Yoda's wisdom.
- Dwight and Harvey: Dwight and Harvey have a strained relationship, with Harvey frequently bullying Dwight. Their conflict intensifies as Harvey becomes suspicious of Origami Yoda's influence.
- Dwight and Principal Rabbski: Principal Rabbski initially sees Dwight as a troublemaker but later realizes his creativity and the positive impact of Origami Yoda on the students. She develops a more understanding and supportive relationship with Dwight.
- Tommy and Harvey: Tommy and Harvey have a competitive relationship, with Harvey often trying to prove Tommy wrong. As the story progresses, Harvey's relationship with Tommy evolves as they work together to uncover the truth about Origami Yoda.
- Origami Yoda and the Students: Origami Yoda has a significant impact on the students at McQuarrie Middle School. It acts as a source of guidance and wisdom, influencing their decisions and helping them overcome their challenges.
In conclusion, "Darth Paper Strikes Back" by Tom Angleberger features a diverse cast of characters with distinct roles, traits, backgrounds, and relationships. The character arcs and relationships contribute to the development of the story, highlighting themes of friendship, resilience, and the power of belief.
