In the Skin of a Lion

Patrick continues his eternal search for light because he has none of his own to emit. Without this element, he cannot find his true identity and survive the world he is living in. .
             The central theme behind many stories is the loss and regaining of identity. Patrick has no identity of his own, and his only way of gaining a temporary one is through light. "And he himself was nothing but a prism that refracted their lives," (Ondaatje, pg.157) is a well-written metaphor that describes his relationship with his friends. A prism, by definition, refracts light into a spectrum of colors. Correspondingly, Patrick contorts other characters' identities as his own. The readers are introduced to this concept of reflecting light even before the novel begins. This is indicated by, "(D)riving the four hours to Marmora under six stars and a moon." Patrick is the moon; he can only reflect a star's light. When reflecting light from the six stars, the main characters in the novel, Patrick is able to gain a temporary identity. This is what Patrick is searching for " his true identity. Throughout the novel, Patrick becomes like the people he associates with, and he gains a temporary identity and purpose. He takes on Alice's quest to dissolve the power of the rich by blowing up the Muskoka Hotel. He becomes a criminal like Caravaggio by breaking into the Waterworks. When Patrick is without light to reflect, he is without identity. When Clara leaves Patrick, he is thrust into a world of darkness. Only when Alice re-enters his life can he begin to have an identity again. Just like Alice's story of several actresses sharing the animal pelt to tell the story, the characters in Patrick's life become the focus of his life. .
             When Patrick is without an identity and the light of other characters, he is also lacking love. "Something hollow, so when alone, when not aligned with another- whether is was Ambrose or Clara or Alice - he could hear the rattle within that suggested a space between him and community.