I Am Number Four

“‘No,’ the man whispers, and in that instant the blade of a sword, long and gleaming, made of a shining white metal that is not found on Earth, comes through the door and sinks deeply into the man’s chest.” 

The Prologue immediately signifies that the novel is of the fantasy/science fiction genre with the phrase “not found on Earth.” This chapter also sets the scene for one of the novel’s main themes of good versus evil, a classic theme in fantasy and science fiction literature. Although the man and the boy die at the hands of the Mogadorian at the end of the Prologue, the boy foreshadows the triumph of good over evil when he tells the Mogadorian that the Legacies will destroy them. 

“In the beginning we were a group of nine. Three are gone, dead. There are six of us left. They are hunting us, and they won’t stop until they’ve killed us all. I am Number Four. I know that I am next.” 

The narrative perspective changes to first person in Chapter 1 and remains that way for the rest of the novel. By shifting to Four’s first-person perspective, the authors allow readers to understand more closely what is at stake. The short structure of the sentences also creates a suspenseful dramatic effect.

“It’s not that I’m necessarily sad to leave Florida, but I’m tired of running. I’m tired of dreaming up a new name every six months. Tired of new houses, new schools. I wonder if it’ll ever be possible for us to stop.” 

The novel consists of both one major external conflict and one internal conflict. The external conflict is the threat that the Mogadorians will catch up to Four and Henri, whereas the internal conflict is the conflict Four has with himself, as seen in this quote. Although his life is in constant danger, Four is still a teenager who has never been able to simply be a teenager.