Extended Essays 2021

and alludes to Tahir Shah’s Arabian Nights and the hero with the same name which symbolizes fantastic adventures and acts like Elohim who is the “Creator, Mighty, and Strong”. Elohim ‘speaks’ the world into existence (Genesis1:1). Through these references, Dumas essentially depicts the gradual transformation of Dantès’ character from a man to a God-like being due to his consistent assumption of different names that align with separate roles in his Machiavellian schemes. This implies that Dantès is on a par with the God of the Old Testament. In this manner, Dumas utilizes Judeo-Christian tropes to establish his protagonist as God-like, thus justifying his vengeful and violent actions. Similarly, in The Lies of Locke Lamora , Lynch replicates this idea where, as the protagonist, he assumes different names according to what is necessary for his stratagem. This suggests that he is transcendent because of the connection with the God of the Old Testament. Lynch introduces this relationship through the masquerades that the protagonist uses. These include Locke Lamora, Lukas Fehrwight, and The Thorn of Camorr. These names illustrate individual appearances and personalities, although they are assumed by one person like the God of the Old Testament. Locke Lamora is positioned to be the protagonist’s true name; however, Locke was not the name he was born with. Though ironic, this identity is his most honest and “sympathetic” (273) and is used around those closest to him. The guise of Lukas Fehrwight is utilized around the Salvara family who has extreme wealth. This façade is used by Lamora to gain the trust of the rich. His final incarnation, The Thorn of Camorr, is believed to be “an unbeatable swordsman and a master thief” (blurb). This character is “hungry” (12) to steal. Lynch’s use of the term “thorn” denotes sin, sorrow, and hardship. Lynch’s choice to intertwine these references throughout the narrative suggests that the protagonist lacks a true centre. On a more figurative

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