Varjak Paw

Varjak Paw is the novel’s protagonist. The Mesopotamian Blue cat has “silver-blue fur” and is the only member of his family who doesn’t have green eyes (10). At first, he considers his amber eyes unlucky and embarrassing, but he later embraces his eye color confidently after learning he inherited it from Jalal. This shift reflects the dynamic protagonist’s growth from a lonely and self-critical kitten into a brave fighter and leader. At the start of the novel, Varjak suffers from isolation because most of his relatives demean his interest in reviving ancestral practices like hunting: “In the middle of his family he [feels] friendless and alone” (17). The Gentleman’s arrival forces Varjak to gain courage, a trait he demonstrates by venturing Outside alone and attempting to stop a car.

Through his experiences in the city and Jalal’s mentorship, Varjak grows into a principled character who deeply values fairness and freedom. These lessons help the protagonist realize that following his convictions matters more than his family’s acceptance. As Varjak asserts: “There [can] be nothing worse for a free cat than to be locked up in a cage like this. Even if it never affect[s] the Blues, this [is] more important than family, more important than anything” (227).