Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of animal death.

Runt is the protagonist and titular character of the novel, and he represents the major themes of The Many Forms of Strength and The Tension Between Autonomy and Belonging. Throughout the novel, Runt struggles both physically and emotionally with his small size. Physically, Runt’s status as the smallest pup in the pack has practical drawbacks, as described in the Chapter 2: “When two competed for the same teat, he was the one pushed aside” (8). Thus, Runt must work harder for basic necessities like food, where he is at a disadvantage beside his larger siblings. Emotionally, Runt struggles with feeling lesser because he is small. King’s distant attitude and refusal to defend Runt make Runt feel that he must continually prove himself. These motivations lead Runt to make poor choices that put him in difficult or dangerous situations as he works to carve out his place in the pack and earn a new name.

Runt’s character arc relies on his shifting opinions of King, Bider, and himself. At the beginning of the book, Runt wants to be a proud member of the pack who follows King and disregards Bider’s harmful