Varjak Paw

Said uses the trajectory of Varjak’s character arc to examine the impact of heritage on personal development. At the beginning of the novel, the Mesopotamian Blues consider themselves “noble, special cats” entitled to a life of ease and comfort (11). Although they proudly trace their lineage back to the mighty hunter and explorer Jalal, they demean Varjak when he expresses interest in following in his ancestor’s footsteps by doing so-called “disgusting things like hunting” (11). His family’s understanding of their heritage makes Varjak feel uncertain of his identity and unworthy of his ancestors: “[A]s his family said, he wasn’t much of a Blue. So who was he?” (50). In addition to damaging the protagonist’s self-worth, the Blues’ view of their heritage demonstrates a sense of superiority that makes them willfully ignorant of the threat the Gentleman poses to them and callous to the sufferings of their fellow felines. They declare: “‘We’re Mesopotamian Blues. As for those common cats,’ [Father] shrug[s], ‘who cares what he does to them? They’re nothing’” (210). The self-satisfied and insular view of heritage held by Varjak’s family proves dangerous—for them, for other cats, and for Varjak’s self-worth.

Jalal supports his descendant’s development by offering him a deeper understanding of their family’s origins.