Character Response

Throughout this month, I’ve been amazed as I read “All These Things I’ve Done” by Gabrielle Zevin. The story takes place in New York City in the year 2083. Government laws have changed and chocolate is illegal. The story focuses on the members of the Balanchine Chocolate Company and is described by Anya, the company head’s daughter. The conflict is introduced when Anya is given poisoned chocolates from her cousin, Jakov, or Jacks, Pirozhki. Soon after, her ex-boyfriend comes by begging for chocolate. Without knowing it was poisoned, Anya gives him some chocolate. After eating the chocolates, the ex-boyfriend ends up in the hospital blaming Anya for poisoning him. Throughout the book, this conflict remains unsolved. In the end, Jacks confesses he poisoned the chocolates, and is sent to jail. As I read, I kept an eye on Jacks.  When we first meet him, Anya introduces him as the awful cousin who tried to touch her as a little girl.  So why did I choose to focus on an antagonist? Why didn’t I choose Anya? As the book progresses, we learn more about Jacks’ personality and struggles. Although he is the “villain”, there’s more to him to be understood.  

From what we know about him, Jacks works a small position for the family business, but wants to do more. This is what motivates him to attempt to poison the head’s immediate family, hoping to advance his role in the business.  Even though his actions were clearly wrong, he just wanted to do something to raise his job, which is a relatable desire. In the text, he explains he’s unhappy with his current position, saying, “You probably know this without my having to say, but I’m low in the organization. No one tells me about anything.”(p.159) this shows how he isn’t pleased with his role in the business, by not feeling included or valued. All he really wants is to get more respect and attention, but he doesn’t know how to in a more positive way.

Another example of Jacks’ ongoing conflict is his relationship with his brother Mickey. The two of them are arguing about Anya being their cousin and being a part of the family. Mickey refers to Anya as “my cousin” leaving Jacks to feel like an outcast. This interaction show that Jacks doesn’t feel accepted as an equal by his own family. Mickey even tells him to stop embarrassing himself.

Although Jacks is the cause of the conflict, I think people should take a closer look at the motivation behind his actions. I think he seems to be a misguided character. He not necessarily a monster.  I hope after reading this, readers will look at characters at a different angle and try to understand their motives, even if we don’t agree with them.