Ethan Wate is the novel’s protagonist. He is a Mortal who falls in love with Lena, a Caster. Ethan is hopeful and optimistic, with a vision for his future. Before he meets Lena, Ethan dreams about the day he can leave Gatlin behind because he does not “want to end up like [his] dad, living in the same house, in the same small town [he had] grown up in” (10). Ethan’s desire to leave Gatlin shows how he is different from others in his town and makes him open to Lena’s difference in a way that the other students at the school are not.

Ethan grows from the novel’s beginning to end, though his fundamental character does not change. His love for Lena brings out his compassion and introspective nature. For example, her presence makes Ethan question himself and his motives: Lena “made [him] realize how much [he] was just like the rest of them, even if [he] wanted to pretend [he] wasn’t” (36). Ethan feels drawn to Lena because of her uniqueness. The supernatural also plays a role in bringing them together. Ethan realizes that Lena is the girl from his dreams. He accepts the supernatural, which makes him open to Lena and her magical ability.