"The Bone Houses" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In "The Bone Houses" by Emily Lloyd-Jones, the main protagonist is Ryn, a young gravedigger who lives in a small village. Ryn's role in the story is to protect her village from the bone houses, reanimated corpses that roam the surrounding forest. Ellis, the love interest, supports Ryn in her quest. Ceridwen, Ryn's deceased sister, plays a significant role in Ryn's motivations and development. Gareth is a villager who assists Ryn, and the Commander serves as the main antagonist.

Character Descriptions

• Ryn: Ryn is a strong-willed and resourceful young woman who takes on the responsibility of protecting her village from the bone houses. She has a scarred face from an encounter with a bone house. Ryn is known for her determination and her skill with a sword.
• Ellis: Ellis is a traveling mapmaker who becomes Ryn's love interest. He is described as kind-hearted and intelligent, with a talent for drawing maps. Ellis is also curious about the bone houses and helps Ryn in her mission.
• Ceridwen: Ceridwen is Ryn's deceased sister. She was killed by a bone house, which deeply affects Ryn and drives her desire to protect her village. Ceridwen appears in Ryn's memories and dreams, providing emotional support and guidance.
• Gareth: Gareth is a villager who assists Ryn in her mission to protect the village. He is brave and resourceful, often helping Ryn in dangerous situations. Gareth is known for his quick thinking and loyalty.
• Commander: The Commander is the leader of the nearby garrison and serves as the main antagonist. He is determined to destroy the bone houses by any means necessary, even if it means sacrificing the village and its inhabitants.

Character Traits

• Ryn: Ryn is courageous, determined, and fiercely protective of her village. She is also resourceful and skilled in combat. However, she also struggles with grief and a sense of responsibility for her sister's death.
• Ellis: Ellis is kind-hearted, intelligent, and inquisitive. He is also supportive and devoted to Ryn, offering emotional support and assistance in her mission.
• Ceridwen: Although deceased, Ceridwen is portrayed as caring, wise, and supportive. She often appears in Ryn's memories and dreams, providing guidance and emotional strength.
• Gareth: Gareth is brave, loyal, and resourceful. He is always ready to help Ryn and is willing to put himself in danger to protect the village.
• Commander: The Commander is ruthless, single-minded, and determined to eliminate the bone houses at any cost. He is willing to sacrifice innocent lives to achieve his goal.

Character Background

• Ryn: Ryn grew up in a small village where she learned the trade of gravedigging from her father. After her sister's death, she took on the role of protecting the village from the bone houses. Ryn's experiences with the bone houses have left her scarred, both physically and emotionally.
• Ellis: Ellis is a traveler who becomes intrigued by the bone houses and joins Ryn on her mission to protect the village. He has a passion for cartography and has traveled to various places, gathering knowledge and skills.
• Ceridwen: Ceridwen was Ryn's older sister who was killed by a bone house. Her death deeply affected Ryn, motivating her to protect the village. Ceridwen appears in Ryn's memories and dreams, reminding her of their bond and guiding her in her mission.
• Gareth: Gareth is a villager who has lived in the village his entire life. He is familiar with the dangers posed by the bone houses and decides to help Ryn in her mission to protect the village.
• Commander: The Commander is a military leader who is responsible for protecting the region from various threats, including the bone houses. He is determined to eradicate the bone houses, believing it to be the only way to ensure the safety of the villagers.

Character Arcs

• Ryn: Ryn's character arc revolves around her journey from a grieving sister to a courageous protector of her village. She starts as a young gravedigger burdened by guilt and grief but gains strength and purpose as she faces the bone houses and protects her loved ones.
• Ellis: Ellis's character arc is centered around his growing affection for Ryn and his desire to understand the bone houses. He starts as a curious mapmaker and gradually becomes more involved in Ryn's mission, ultimately becoming her partner and supporter.
• Ceridwen: Although deceased, Ceridwen's character arc is revealed through Ryn's memories and dreams. She serves as a source of emotional support and guidance for Ryn, helping her overcome her grief and find her purpose.
• Gareth: Gareth's character arc is linked to his loyalty to Ryn and his growth as a brave and resourceful companion. He starts as a concerned villager and becomes an integral part of Ryn's mission.
• Commander: The Commander's character arc is one of obsession and single-mindedness. He becomes increasingly ruthless in his pursuit of destroying the bone houses, eventually putting the village in danger.

Relationships

• Ryn and Ellis: Ryn and Ellis develop a romantic relationship throughout the story. Their bond strengthens as they face dangers together and support each other in their respective quests.
• Ryn and Ceridwen: Ryn and Ceridwen share a deep sisterly bond, even after Ceridwen's death. Ceridwen appears in Ryn's memories and dreams, offering guidance and emotional support.
• Ryn and Gareth: Ryn and Gareth form a strong friendship and partnership. Gareth supports Ryn in her mission and becomes a trusted companion, always ready to help and protect her.
• Ryn and the Commander: Ryn and the Commander are in direct conflict with each other. The Commander sees Ryn as a threat to his mission, while Ryn sees the Commander as a dangerous obstacle in her quest to protect the village.

In conclusion, "The Bone Houses" by Emily Lloyd-Jones features a diverse cast of characters with unique traits, motivations, and relationships. Ryn's journey from a grieving sister to a brave protector forms the central arc of the story, with Ellis, Ceridwen, Gareth, and the Commander playing significant roles in her development. The dynamic relationships between the characters add depth and complexity to the narrative, making "The Bone Houses" an engaging and character-driven read.