The theme of the plight of the individual in the novels is reinforced through each of the main characters' search for who he truly is. The main character in each novel both experience a search for his true identity. For example, in Rule of the Bone, the main character, Bone, is too young to make his own decisions, so he follows his friend's example and commits crimes and becomes involved with drugs. (Banks, 68) Teens that experiment with cigarettes, drugs or alcohol are likely to take their first drink, cigarette or drug because of pressure from peers. ("Peer Pressure", 1) When Bone meets his new friend, I-Man, he lets Bone make his own decisions, and always says, "up to you bone". (Banks, 304) This allows Bone to learn from his past mistakes when he was easily influenced by his peers and to become his own person. In The English Patient, the main character does not remember who he is because of trauma suffered from a plane crash. (Ondaatje, 5) He is burned to the point of being unrecognizable, or in Hana's eyes, "A man with no face...All identification consumed in a fire." (Diagnosing the English Patient", 1) This demonstrates that he is suffering a personal struggle in searching for his true identity. Although both characters are in very different situations, they are both set out on a quest to discover his own identity. Throughout the novel, each of the characters learns more about himself and his past and become closer to finding his true identity.
             The attempts of the characters to endure physical struggle is evident in the novels. The main characters in each novel both encountered physical struggles, but in very different situations. In Rule of the Bone, Bone's stepfather has been molesting him since childhood. (Banks, 167) In an article on the internet, it states that "some sexually abused children may suffer emotional trauma, leading to severe depression, substance abuse, suicidal tendencies, uncontrollable ra...