"I Am the Mission" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In "I Am the Mission" by Allen Zadoff, the protagonist, known as Boy Nobody or Benjamin, is a highly skilled assassin. He is assigned missions by his mentor and handler, Howard, who provides him with targets to eliminate. Benjamin's ultimate goal is to avenge his father's death and uncover the truth behind his mysterious past. Along the way, he forms relationships with Mike, a fellow teenage assassin, and Samara, a girl who becomes both a love interest and a potential target. Alan, the antagonist, serves as a major obstacle for Benjamin, putting him in dangerous situations.

Character Descriptions

Boy Nobody (Benjamin)

Boy Nobody, also known as Benjamin, is the central character of the book. He is a highly trained teenage assassin, proficient in various combat techniques and skilled in blending into different environments. Benjamin has piercing blue eyes and a lean physique, which aids him in his covert operations. He is often described as emotionless and detached, with a calculated approach to his missions.

Howard

Howard serves as Benjamin's mentor and handler. He is an experienced operative who has trained many assassins before Benjamin. Howard has a gruff demeanor but cares deeply for Benjamin's well-being. He is often seen wearing a suit and exudes an air of authority. Howard provides Benjamin with instructions, feedback, and guidance throughout the story.

Mike

Mike is a fellow teenage assassin who becomes a close friend and comrade to Benjamin. He is described as having a wiry frame and a mischievous smile. Mike shares Benjamin's training and background and serves as a source of support and camaraderie. He adds a touch of humor and lightness to Benjamin's otherwise intense and solitary life.

Samara

Samara is a girl who attends the same school as Benjamin and becomes both a love interest and a potential target for him. She is portrayed as having long, dark hair and captivating brown eyes. Samara is intelligent, independent, and curious. Her presence in Benjamin's life creates a conflict between his personal feelings and his mission objectives.

Alan

Alan is the primary antagonist in the book. He is a powerful and influential figure who poses a significant threat to Benjamin. Alan is described as having a commanding presence, with a charismatic personality that allows him to manipulate others. He becomes a target for Benjamin, leading to a high-stakes confrontation.

Father

Father is a mysterious figure who plays a pivotal role in Benjamin's life. Although his physical appearance is not explicitly described in the book, Father is depicted as a shadowy and enigmatic presence. He holds key information about Benjamin's past and the truth behind his father's death, driving Benjamin to seek answers and justice.

Character Traits

Boy Nobody (Benjamin)

• Cold and calculating
• Highly skilled and efficient
• Resourceful and adaptable
• Determined and focused
• Lacks emotional attachment
• Struggles with his identity

Howard

• Experienced and knowledgeable
• Authority figure
• Protective and caring towards Benjamin
• Task-oriented and strategic
• Conceals his emotions

Mike

• Lighthearted and humorous
• Loyal and supportive
• Relatable and empathetic
• Rebellious streak
• Witty and quick-thinking

Samara

• Intelligent and inquisitive
• Strong-willed and independent
• Compassionate and understanding
• Curious about Benjamin's secretive nature
• Vulnerable yet resilient

Alan

• Charismatic and manipulative
• Ruthless and power-hungry
• Cunning and deceptive
• Wealthy and influential
• Challenging adversary for Benjamin

Father

• Mysterious and secretive
• Holds crucial information
• Motivates Benjamin's actions
• Symbolizes the unknown and unresolved

Character Background

Boy Nobody (Benjamin)

Benjamin's background is shrouded in secrecy. He was recruited into a shadowy organization at a young age after his father's death. Trained to be an efficient assassin, Benjamin lost touch with his emotions and personal identity. His past and true name are unknown, making him a ghost-like figure. Benjamin's sole purpose is to carry out his missions with precision and anonymity.

Howard

Howard has a long history within the organization that trained Benjamin. He is a former operative turned mentor who guides and instructs young assassins. Howard's background and motivations are not explicitly revealed in the book, but it is clear that he is deeply invested in Benjamin's success and safety.

Mike

Like Benjamin, Mike was recruited into the organization at a young age. He shares a similar background and training with Benjamin, leading to a strong bond between them. Mike's past and family situation are briefly mentioned, hinting at a troubled upbringing that brought him into the organization.

Samara

Samara comes from a more ordinary background compared to the other characters. She attends the same school as Benjamin and becomes intrigued by his mysterious nature. Her curiosity leads her to uncover secrets and puts her in danger. Samara's background is explored less extensively than the other characters', but her intelligence and determination make her an important ally and potential victim.

Alan

Alan is a wealthy and powerful individual who manipulates those around him to maintain his influence. His background is connected to Benjamin's past, leading to a personal vendetta between the two. Alan's motivations and origins are gradually revealed throughout the book, adding complexity to his character and heightening the stakes for Benjamin.

Father

Father's background and motivations are deliberately kept vague throughout the book. He is a shadowy figure who holds key information about Benjamin's past and the circumstances surrounding his father's death. Father's presence drives Benjamin's actions, as he seeks answers and closure.

Character Arcs

Boy Nobody (Benjamin)

Benjamin's character arc revolves around his journey of self-discovery and reclaiming his identity. Initially, he is fully committed to his role as an assassin, seeking revenge for his father's death. However, as he forms relationships with Mike and Samara, Benjamin begins to question his purpose and the organization's true intentions. He experiences a gradual shift in his emotional detachment and starts to regain his humanity. Benjamin's arc culminates in a confrontation with Alan, where he must decide whether to continue his life as an assassin or forge a new path.

Howard

Howard's character arc focuses on his role as a mentor and his relationship with Benjamin. Initially, he appears to be a stoic and authoritative figure, solely concerned with training and guiding Benjamin. However, as the story progresses, Howard's protective instincts and care for Benjamin become more evident. He grapples with the moral implications of his role in shaping young assassins and the consequences of the organization's actions. Howard's arc leads to a pivotal decision that affects Benjamin's future.

Mike

Mike's character arc revolves around his friendship with Benjamin and his growth as an individual. At first, he serves as a source of comic relief and camaraderie for Benjamin. However, as the story unfolds, Mike becomes more involved in the moral complexities of their actions. He questions the organization's authority and starts to rebel against the constraints placed upon him. Mike's arc leads to a critical moment of choice, where he must decide whether to continue down the path of an assassin or forge his own destiny.

Samara

Samara's character arc centers around her discovery of Benjamin's true identity and her involvement in his dangerous world. Initially intrigued by Benjamin's mysterious nature, she becomes entangled in his mission and the organization's web of secrets. Samara's arc involves her coming to terms with the harsh realities of Benjamin's life and making choices that challenge her own beliefs and safety.

Alan

Alan's character arc is primarily driven by his desire for power and control. He serves as a formidable antagonist throughout the book, constantly manipulating those around him to further his goals. Alan's arc reaches its climax in the final confrontation with Benjamin, where the truth behind his actions is revealed, leading to a resolution that impacts the lives of all the characters involved.

Father

Father's character arc is intricately connected to Benjamin's journey. He represents the unknown and unresolved aspects of Benjamin's past. Father's arc is mainly revealed through the information he provides and the revelations that emerge as Benjamin seeks the truth. His presence drives Benjamin's actions and serves as a catalyst for the resolution of the story.

Relationships

Boy Nobody (Benjamin) and Howard

Benjamin and Howard's relationship is one of mentorship and guidance. Howard serves as a father figure to Benjamin, providing him with instructions and support. Their relationship evolves throughout the book as Benjamin begins to question the organization's motives. Howard's actions and decisions ultimately impact Benjamin's journey of self-discovery.

Boy Nobody (Benjamin) and Mike

Benjamin and Mike share a deep bond forged by their shared background and training. They rely on each other for support and understanding in their challenging lives as teenage assassins. Their friendship adds a layer of humanity and relatability to their experiences, providing moments of levity and emotional connection.

Boy Nobody (Benjamin) and Samara

Benjamin's relationship with Samara is complex, as she becomes both a love interest and a potential target. Their connection challenges Benjamin's emotional detachment and highlights his longing for a normal life. Samara's presence in Benjamin's life forces him to confront his feelings and make choices that put their relationship at risk.

Boy Nobody (Benjamin) and Alan

Benjamin and Alan's relationship is one of rivalry and vengeance. Benjamin sees Alan as the embodiment of everything he despises and seeks to bring him down. Their interactions showcase Benjamin's determination and the personal stakes involved in his mission.

Boy Nobody (Benjamin) and Father

Father's relationship with Benjamin is one of mystery and discovery. Benjamin seeks answers and closure regarding his father's death, and Father holds the key to unlocking the truth. Their relationship is defined by Benjamin's relentless pursuit of answers and Father's enigmatic presence, adding intrigue and suspense to the story.

Conclusion

In "I Am the Mission" by Allen Zadoff, the characters play vital roles in driving the narrative and exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and personal growth. Boy Nobody (Benjamin) undergoes a transformative journey, questioning his purpose and reclaiming his humanity. The relationships he forms with Howard, Mike, Samara, Alan, and Father shape his character arc and provide insight into the moral complexities of their lives as assassins. As the story unfolds, readers are taken on a thrilling and emotional ride, witnessing the development of these multifaceted characters and their intricate relationships.