Falling: A Novel

Saman ‘Sam’ Khani is the antagonist of the novel. Sam is an unknowable character at first, hiding behind his desire to commit an act of terrorism. Sam does not initially share his reasons for hijacking the plane, but as he interacts with Carrie and her children, he reveals a compassionate side that is unexpected in someone who is using such fear and violence.

Sam’s level of compassion toward Carrie and her children humanizes Sam, making him a complex rather than flat antagonist. Sam is a character with some depth, one who is sympathetic despite his actions. Sam’s connection to Ben and their shared love of American movies is relatable. Sam’s decision, told via flashback, to stay home to care for his mother and siblings creates a comparable sense of responsibility to Bill’s. In fact, Bill and Sam have a few things in common, including their devotion to their families and their sense of duty. It is Sam’s love for his family and his sense of duty to them that inspires him to hijack the plane. Sam is fighting for his family just like Bill does when he is placed in a position to choose between them and the plane.

Sam’s decision to sacrifice himself for his family is the primary motivation of the plot and makes Sam a key figure in the theme of The Personal Consequences of Political Actions. Sam feels as though no one is listening to what is happening in Kurdistan, and he believes things would be different if people would educate themselves on the situation and stand up to their president. It is this reason why Sam hijacks the plane, but it is also this reason why he sacrifices himself when he is caught. Sam wants to make a statement, to force people to face the reality of what happened in Kurdistan when the president withdrew troops from Syria.

Jo Watkins is a flight attendant on Bill’s plane. She is a deuteragonist in the novel, taking on a role as a second protagonist as the captain of the passenger cabin. Jo shows great leadership traits as she takes charge of the safety of the passengers and enlists the help of her flight attendants to help. Jo is the one who comes up with the idea to release the oxygen masks to protect the passengers that leads to some discord among the passengers, including the viral picture Rick Ryan sends out on social media.

Jo is also important to the novel because she has a connection with the FBI through her nephew, Theo. Without Jo informing the FBI of the situation, the hunt for Carrie and the children might not have taken place or ended successfully. In addition, it is Jo who makes the statement on the news that informs the world of what is happening on the plane in an attempt to give the passengers information in a quick and uniform way.

Jo’s leadership qualities shine through the most when she makes a plan to catch the gas canister and secure it so that the passengers aren’t seriously harmed by its effects. She is an important figure within the theme of Leadership and Willingness to Sacrifice, demonstrating bravery and strong instincts that cast her as heroic. The fact that a passenger interferes and is seriously injured in the process, yet Jo continues to show him compassion, also reveals Jo’s kindness. Jo’s character is further explored when she reveals at the end of the novel that she didn’t spend any time worrying about her family.

Carrie Hoffman is Bill’s wife and a minor character in the novel. Carrie is important to the plot mainly because she represents Bill’s love of family. However, Carrie also plays an important role in exposing the compassionate side of Sam’s character and gives him the opportunity to reveal his true motivations for his actions.

Carrie is a mom and wife. She focuses on her children during this time of duress. At the same time, she recognizes the struggle her husband is enduring and does all she can to make the situation easier for him. There is a point at which Carrie resolves to sacrifice herself in order to make Bill’s decision easier for him. This shows a depth of sacrifice that is selfless and remarkable. Later, Carrie makes a plea to the president to stop him from shooting down the plane, an act that while basically fruitless, shows her depth of affection for her husband and her desire to see this ordeal come to a safe and happy ending. Finally, when Carrie supports Bill’s desire to help the people of Kurdistan and declares that she is not angry with Sam and Ben for their actions, she shows a capacity for forgiveness.