A Snake Falls to Earth

Oli is the protagonist of A Snake Falls to Earth and a cottonmouth animal person from the Reflecting World. Oli initially struggles with coming of age, cast out of his mother’s home into a harsh world; he has no goal in mind other than finding a home and wanders aimlessly. Oli is often indecisive, and he is afraid of most things—qualities his “inner bad-mouther” taunts him for (23). Oli matures over the course of the novel, and by its end can act with confidence and bravery, even throwing himself into danger to protect his friends.

The path to anywhere-you-please is a symbol of Oli’s wandering without aim and purpose. By random chance, Oli follows the path to a place he can call home and people to care for as his Found Family. Without Ami, Oli would have no reason to set off on his adventure or develop the courage it requires. Without Risk and Reign, Oli would have no way of reaching Earth. Without Brightest and Mockingbird, Oli would have no hope of saving Ami. Oli grows into adulthood through his found family and finds purpose in life.