Personal Growth and Transformation

The title of "Prentice Alvin" implies a desire to learn and grow, and a commitment to becoming a different person. This theme can be seen in the lives of many of the characters, both physically and spiritually. Alvin, of course, goes from being a boy with great potential to a muscle-bound blacksmith. His greater transformation occurs when he finally learns how to do Making, and this transformation is symbolized both by the changing of the iron plow to living gold, and by Alvin's new skin, once his original skin has burned away in the fire. Young Arthur is also transformed by Alvin's knack, when Alvin actually alters Arthur's DNA so that the slave Finders can not catch the boy. "And what wasn't connected, what didn't change, that was washed away and gone." (Chapter 18, Manacles, p. 291) Although it is only intended to be a physical transformation...