There Are No Saints

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, graphic violence, child abuse, emotional abuse, and substance use.

Cole functions as the novel’s complex protagonist and predatory antihero. As a dynamic and round character, Cole undergoes significant psychological transformation throughout the narrative, shifting from a purely calculating predator to someone capable of genuine attachment. His characterization demonstrates the theme of The Desire for Control Versus the Demands of Love, as his obsessive need for dominance ultimately conflicts with his growing feelings for Mara.

Cole’s defining trait is his need for control, which manifests in every aspect of his existence. He meticulously curates his public personas, switching between different masks depending on his audience in a way that reveals his manipulative intelligence and emotional detachment to readers. His wealth and artistic success provide him with the tools to control his environment and the people in it, from offering Mara studio space to monitoring her through surveillance systems. This control extends to his predatory behavior, as he states, “I filet people with precision” (198), distinguishing his methodical approach from Shaw’s chaotic violence.