Fable

Fable is the novel’s protagonist and narrator. In Chapter 23, the 18-year-old describes her appearance, which closely resembles her late mother’s: “The freckles that once sprinkled over my nose were now too numerous to count, many of them melting together. My auburn hair was darker, the colors shifting with the turn of light” (189). Significantly, the family resemblance between Fable and Isolde causes Zola to realize the protagonist’s identity and gem sage abilities. To survive the treacherous world of the Narrows, Fable relies on her wits and courage. The resilient and resourceful young woman fends for herself on “the infamous island of thieves” and endures four years of hunger, violence, and loneliness on Jeval (8). The reader sees the Narrows through Fable’s eyes, and this helps to depict the novel’s person versus society conflict. The protagonist struggles to retain her compassion amidst a cruel world, such as when she saves Koy’s life after he tries to kill her. Selfless, self-endangering acts such as this lead Saint to repeatedly observe, “You weren’t made for this world, Fable” (37). Fable’s resilience and resourcefulness serve her well as the hero of a maritime adventure novel, and her compassion makes her stand out in a brutal