American Gods

Shadow is the protagonist of American Gods, but he remains inscrutable throughout the novel. After three years in prison, Shadow has learned to keep his thoughts to himself. He refuses to engage in arguments, discussions, and sometimes even conversations because he believes that doing so only leads to more trouble. He performs coin tricks to stop his mind from thinking about anything difficult. This unwillingness to engage with the world around him makes Shadow seem detached and apart from everyone else. Numerous characters comment on his quietness and his disconnection from others; they act surprised when Shadow expresses an interesting or intellectual thought, as they often dismiss his silence as stupidity. Shadow’s detachment from the world is an example of his relentless and occasionally misplaced rationality. Shadow believes that his refusal to engage with people is a rational position, just like his refusal to believe in the supernatural. As he learns over the course of the novel, however, he cannot remain detached forever. Eventually, the world seeks him out and forces him to engage, even if he does not want to do so. Even his coin tricks eventually betray him, bringing him into contact with actual magic that defies his attempts to stay rational in an irrational world.