Why the Villain in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is insignificant
Upon reading this story I discovered how messy and confusing it is to the reader as to what is going on with the villain. I enjoyed the story but the villain lessened my feelings for the book.
Often times in a story we know who the villain is or can easily narrow it down between two people. It's often a frustrating experience when a reader can't even tell if there is a villain behind the story. For example when Jacob first visits the loop and meets all the children, the reader more than likely thought that Miss Peregrine was supposed to pose as the villain. Emma says "I want to. I do. But it's a bad idea." (Riggs 199) Emma makes reference to wanting to leave but not being allowed to due to Miss Peregrine's strict rules. This leaves the reader to believe that Miss Peregrine is trying to keep the kids hostage. This is exactly the opposite of what the author wanted the reader to believe.
1. Who exactly is the villain
Often times in a story we know who the villain is or can easily narrow it down between two people. It's often a frustrating experience when a reader can't even tell if there is a villain behind the story. For example when Jacob first visits the loop and meets all the children, the reader more than likely thought that Miss Peregrine was supposed to pose as the villain. Emma says "I want to. I do. But it's a bad idea." (Riggs 199) Emma makes reference to wanting to leave but not being allowed to due to Miss Peregrine's strict rules. This leaves the reader to believe that Miss Peregrine is trying to keep the kids hostage. This is exactly the opposite of what the author wanted the reader to believe.
2. Villain doesn't appear until the book is almost over
What is one of the most irritating factors of this book is that the author doesn't add the aspect of the villain in until the very end of the story. I personally enjoy reading the hero-villain story all throughout the story not just the end of the book. The villain is actually discovered on page 245/352. Emma says "He could see monsters." (Riggs 245) This is where the reader realizes that all of Jacob's curiosity about there being a monster comes true. It would make for a much better and more interesting story if the villain was more incorporated into the book.
3. Villain has no motive
It is very bland with the villain contains no background story. Imagine if the joker had no story behind his scars, then the villain would be pointless. This is exactly the idea behind the Hollows and Wights. They do everything in this story because they want to, not because they have a reason behind their actions. There are many examples of this like when Hollows eat peculiars just because they feel the need to eat them. There is no explanation in the story as to why they are eaten. It is also seen that there is no reason seen why the villains chase the peculiars. This just paints a bland story because you see no reason as to what the necessary means of the villains are. But there may be a small glimmer of hope that Hollow City highlights the reasons behind the Wights and the Hollows actions.
4. Doesn't follow any archetype of villain
It is very bland with the villain contains no background story. Imagine if the joker had no story behind his scars, then the villain would be pointless. This is exactly the idea behind the Hollows and Wights. They do everything in this story because they want to, not because they have a reason behind their actions. There are many examples of this like when Hollows eat peculiars just because they feel the need to eat them. There is no explanation in the story as to why they are eaten. It is also seen that there is no reason seen why the villains chase the peculiars. This just paints a bland story because you see no reason as to what the necessary means of the villains are. But there may be a small glimmer of hope that Hollow City highlights the reasons behind the Wights and the Hollows actions. 4. Doesn't follow any archetype of villain
Similar to the idea of how the villain has no motive it also has no archetype. But just because it doesn't follow the path of the literary villain archetype doesn't make this any better. He has no characteristics. This strongly bugs me because, he can't possibly be a villain if he doesn't have any literary characteristics. 5.Messy Villain
Overall there also isn't a clear cut villain in this story. There is not much of a moment where you fully understand what is happening. It might be possible this was the author literary choice but it makes for a messy story. Then once the main "villain" dies there's so much confusion as to what occurs after that. Like your not entirely sure if the children have more wights to fight or what is going on.
Overall this a very messy book. The plot was clear but the whole villain-hero plot was very confusing. It would be like having a villain with no back story which makes for a very bland and uninteresting story.
Overall there also isn't a clear cut villain in this story. There is not much of a moment where you fully understand what is happening. It might be possible this was the author literary choice but it makes for a messy story. Then once the main "villain" dies there's so much confusion as to what occurs after that. Like your not entirely sure if the children have more wights to fight or what is going on.
Overall this a very messy book. The plot was clear but the whole villain-hero plot was very confusing. It would be like having a villain with no back story which makes for a very bland and uninteresting story.
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