The Woods

The protagonist and narrator of much of the text is Paul Copeland, the recently appointed Essex County prosecutor. At 38, he has political aspirations, which EJ Jenrette’s investigation threatens. Paul is “big on justice” (79) and holds the court system in high regard. Paul values honesty above all else and hates it when people try to cover up the truth. Paul’s entire life has been haunted by questions about his sister, Camille, and he blames himself for letting her disappear, since he was supposed to be the counsellor on guard duty the night of the murders. Paul became an attorney because of Camille’s disappearance, since he doesn’t want other families to live without closure.

Paul’s biggest fear is being abandoned, because his mother left him without a word, and the two other women in his life died tragically and early. Despite this fear, Paul has a habit of leaving people in their time of need, which Greta points out when Paul refuses to help her and Bob. Paul feels remorseful for not protecting Camille and for leaving Jane on her deathbed after he promised to stay by her side. Lucy thinks Paul is so intent on finding Camille alive—and Greta thinks he’s so attached to JaneCare—because he’s “hoping for a second chance” (228) to redeem himself.