Eldest

Eragon is the protagonist of Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle series. He is a young boy with “[b]rown hair, brown eyes, [and] a scar on his wrist” (500). Originally orphaned, Eragon grew up with his uncle, Garrow, and his cousin, Roran, in the village of Carvahall. He is characterized as curious, empathetic, and introspective. After finding Saphira’s egg in the first book in the series, Eragon became a Rider—a warrior and leader with the responsibility of fighting against Galbatorix’s oppressive rule. Due to his bond with Saphira, Eragon describes himself as “a mixture of two races. Saphira lives inside me as much as I live in her. We share feelings, senses, thoughts, even to the point where we are more one mind than two” (27).

At the beginning of Eldest, Eragon is struggling with self-doubts and anxiety. The effects of youth and inexperience are further exacerbated by The Emotional Impact of Injury and Disability in the aftermath of the first novel’s violent climax. He therefore begins to doubt whether he can lead the Varden and defeat Galbatorix. Over the course of the story, he is advised by Oromis and other mentors and therefore grows more confident in his skills.