As the novel’s protagonist, Nathan guides the plot through his actions and develops the themes through the lessons he learns. As Darkness observes, the 11-year-old is filled with intelligence as well as “plentiful hope and kindness” (90). The boy has a particular interest in science and won a blue ribbon in the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair for his project on background radiation. At the start of the novel, Nathan cleverly leverages this experience to convince his parents to let him spend the summer with Nali, claiming that he needs her cornfield for another project. Nathan’s intelligence also shines through the ways he overcomes the obstacles on the way to the Third World. For example, he uses echoes to amplify the water monster songs and trap the monstrous angler fish on a sheet of ice.

In addition to his impressive brain, Nathan possesses a great heart. The protagonist spends most of the novel striving to help others; the two plotlines revolve around his efforts to heal Pond and Uncle Jet. Nathan is able to save his uncle because of his profound sense of empathy. Drawing on their shared suffering at the Ash Being’s hands, Nathan recognizes Jet’s pain and helps the man see that he is worthy of love.