40 pages • 1 hour read
Way of the Warrior Kid
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Character Analysis
Marc
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying.
The narrator and protagonist of the novel, Marc is very much in the mold of middle grade characters such as Greg Heffley from Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, or Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III from Cressida Cowell’s How to Train Your Dragon series. Like these other examples, he is an insecure boy subject to mockery from his peers due to perceived weakness: Before starting his uncle’s program, Marc shows acute vulnerability, putting himself down as “dumb” and “a dork” (6). Such archetypes are popular in part because they serve as both relatable figures and (via their character arcs) role models to children who feel that they are falling behind in some way and dream about how they might improve.
Marc’s character development begins when he becomes the beneficiary of a training regimen designed by his uncle, Jake, who promises to turn him into a “warrior kid” over the course of the summer. From that point forward, Marc assumes the role of the (mostly) willing pupil, who either takes Jake’s advice and benefits by doing so or pushes back until pressure from Jake induces him to do the right thing, at which point the benefits become apparent. At times, Marc acts like the 10-year-old he is, preferring to sleep a bit later, watch TV, or eat junk food. In each instance, such behavior earns a harsh rebuke from Jake: “[H]e wasn’t mad. But his face looked like he almost felt sorry for me. Like I didn’t know anything about anything” (81). Marc is a dynamic character mainly insofar as he drops these tendencies and adheres to The Warrior Code as a Model for Excellence. His ability to do multiple pull-ups, or achieve a tap out in jiujitsu, is less important than developing the commitment to excellence in physical strength and mental acuity. Because he ends up following the code, learns to overcome fear, and ultimately accepts that he is capable of succeeding without Jake’s direct guidance, he makes the transition “from wimpy to warrior” advertised in the book’s subtitle. His first practical, real-world test comes immediately after Jake’s departure, and he passes it with flying colors by standing up to a bully and then showing kindness rather than gloating. Seemingly his entire life has changed as a result of his uncle’s guidance.
Uncle Jake
Jake may not be the protagonist of this novel, but he is the primary driver of the action. Even before their formal training regimen begins, Jake exists as an ideal type in Marc’s mind, an absolute contrast to all the vulnerabilities he sees within himself: “I am weak—he is strong. I am dumb—he is smart. I can’t swim—he can swim with a backpack on! I’m scared of bullies—bullies are scared of him [...] He is a tough guy! I’m a dork!” (8). When Jake arrives on the scene, his presence does nothing to diminish Marc’s view of him. He is a daunting physical presence but can also be warm and kind, especially toward his sister (Marc’s mother). He teases Marc for not being able to swim and being bad at sports, but once he finds out that Marc is being bullied, he dedicates an entire summer to helping his nephew overcome his insecurities and vulnerabilities. Like many archetypal mentors preparing their students for a great challenge, the specific skills that he instills are only part of the education. His personality also sets an example to follow and inspires a devotion that makes Marc eager to satisfy him. Jake is unflappable, alternating between patience and firmness with ease, and he always has the right answer for every problem.
Jake can therefore be understood as a static character whose traits are defined early on and who does not undergo any changes over the course of the book. He is strong, brave, wise, and diligent. His entire personality is defined in terms of the Warrior Code and, particularly, the idea that Discipline Equals Freedom: He is committed to working out, eating well, and being in a constant state of preparation for any challenges that may arise. At the same time, he embodies the novel’s message about Confidence and Humility as Mutually Reinforcing, as he acknowledges his shortcomings when he admits, “[Y]ou said I’m not afraid of anything. And that is just not true. Fear is normal” (153). (That he does not identify anything that actually makes him afraid allows him to retain a semi-mythological status in Marc’s—and the reader’s—imagination.) He arrives right at the moment when Marc needs him most, leaves at the precise moment when Marc is capable of standing on his own, and has an intuitive understanding of when to push Marc and when to hold back. He is thus a stand-in for the author in more than one way; not only is he a former SEAL and jiujitsu instructor who bears a slight physical resemblance to Jake, but he also intervenes in the plot in ways that serve the author’s purposes. He is meant to be a role model for the reader, just as he is for Marc.
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