In the story Eragon by Christopher Paolini, many different aspects are put together to make it a wonderful experience for readers. The setting is well established before the plot effectively advances and the main character is described fully to emphasis the change that he goes through. The plot weaves a fascinating story about how a young boy becomes something of legend and the theme leaves a hidden message for readers to think about. Setting and protagonist is the most important in the story, followed by the lesser aspects of plot and theme.
The setting is extremely important as it plays a major role in introducing and telling the story of Alagaesia. The events of the book take place in a mystical, medieval time of magic, dragons, elves, dwarves, kingdoms and evil creatures, creating a shroud of fantasy around the world. The tale begins in the Springtime of Carvahall, a quiet, peaceful village in the mountains, with a cheery and happy mood as Eragon lives a normal life until he finds a dragon egg in the Spine. The mood then changes and becomes darker as Eragon’s home is destroyed and his uncle killed when people who seek the dragon come by his village. Vowing revenge, Eragon leaves on a journey with Brom around Alagaesia to track down the murderers and fulfill his destiny as a Dragon Rider, which eventually leads him to the mountain regions of Surda where he finds and assists the Varden against the tyranny of the Emperor Galbatorix, giving an impression of the duty and how it can bind people’s lives on the one road. By the end of the novel, a few years have passed since Eragon left his village. Without this setting, the story would have never took place as there would be no such thing as Dragon Riders and no elves and dwarves to help Eragon in his battle against the Tyrant of Alagaesia and his followers.
Eragon, who is an ordinary 15 year old farm boy is the protagonist of the story and plays an effective role in advancing the plot. Living in the village...