John Wade A Character Study--I

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escape from reality, the need to take on a different persona:
John had all kinds of different names. I remember his father used to call him Little Merlin or Little Houdini, and that Jiggling John one. Maybe he got used to it. Maybe he felt- maybe it sort of helped to call himself Sorcerer. I hope so. (p268)
Ultimately, John's feelings of helplessness lead to a hunger for control. As a youngster, John is presented to the reader as a would-be magician who tries desperately to achieve the greatest trick of all - gaining his father's love. At the same time, the magic helps John to take control of his life in times of helplessness.
His father's death accentuates his reliance on magic to the point where John begins to do the tricks "in his mind"(p31)

Long ago, as a kid, he'd learned the secret of making his mind into a blackboard. Erase the bad stuff. Draw in pretty pictures. (p135)

The need for love and control is carried over into his adulthood and later, his relationship with ...

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