Arcadia

Bit (born Ridley Sorrel Stone) is the protagonist of Arcadia, which is told from his third-person perspective. He is considered the first Arcadian because he was the first person born into the community; his birth is therefore an integral part of Arcadia’s mythology. The novel follows Bit from five years old to his 50s. He is characterized by his small stature, which is why he is nicknamed “Bit.” In Part 1, Bit is an intelligent and kind five-year-old. His parents, Hannah and Abe, are the foundation of his world, and the three are close. Bit grows up cold and often hungry, as Arcadia struggles to build itself up. He is characterized as a caretaker, monitoring a depressed Hannah and helping fellow Arcadian Eden deliver her baby. In a pivotal moment, he discovers an old copy of Brothers Grimm fairy tales in Arcadia House, which develops his language and perspective. In Part 2, Bit is 14. Despite Arcadia’s deterioration, he exercises empathy and finds joy in small things. He falls in love with fellow Arcadian Helle, being the only boy who treats her with respect. The pair have sex, a connection that fuels their later reunion outside of Arcadia.