Pennyweather "Penn" Van Syckle-Lockwood: Character Analysis
Quick Facts: Penn is Luce's first friend at Sword & Cross, the daughter of the deceased groundskeeper, and the school's office aide. She is known for her intelligence, loyalty, and tragic fate.
Who She Is
Penn is the unassuming yet indispensable human heart of Fallen. In a reform school teeming with troubled teens and enigmatic angels, she stands out as the "normal" one—a grounded, loyal friend who uses her sharp intellect and access to confidential information to help Luce navigate the dangerous mysteries of Sword & Cross. Her inherent goodness and vulnerability make her a poignant reminder of the human cost of the celestial war unfolding around her.
Personality & Traits
Penn is defined by her kindness, intelligence, and unwavering loyalty, making her one of the most relatable characters in the series. She is a grounding force for Luce, offering her friendship and support without judgment.
- Kind and Empathetic: Penn's first act is to help Luce clean up after Molly's prank, offering her shampoo and a spare sweater. This immediate kindness establishes her as a trustworthy ally, a stark contrast to the hostility Luce faces from others.
- Resourceful and Intelligent: As the school's office aide, Penn has access to a wealth of information, which she uses to help Luce uncover the secrets of Sword & Cross and its inhabitants. She is skilled at hacking into databases and navigating the school's archives, skills that prove invaluable to Luce's quest for answers.
- Loyal and Brave: Despite being surrounded by students with dangerous pasts, Penn never wavers in her friendship with Luce. She willingly puts herself in risky situations, from sneaking into the archives to confronting chaos in the cemetery, all to help her friend.
- Socially Awkward: Penn admits to feeling like an outsider and prefers the quiet of the library to social events. This makes her budding friendship with Luce and her willingness to step outside her comfort zone all the more significant.
Character Journey
Penn's journey is one of opening up and finding a meaningful connection after a period of isolation. Initially a solitary figure defined by the loss of her father and her unique position at the school, she exists on the periphery, observing others from a safe distance. Her friendship with Luce draws her out of this shell, transforming her from a passive observer into an active participant in the central conflict. She becomes Luce's partner in crime, eagerly helping her investigate Daniel's past. This evolution demonstrates her growing courage and deep commitment to their friendship, culminating in her tragic death at the hands of Miss Sophia, a pivotal moment that underscores the fatal consequences of the supernatural war for mortals.
Key Relationships
- Lucinda "Luce" Price: Penn is Luce's most important human connection at Sword & Cross, offering unconditional friendship and support. For Luce, Penn is a confidante and a source of stability in a world of chaos and secrets. Their bond is immediate and deep, built on mutual trust and a shared sense of being outsiders, making Penn's death a devastating loss for Luce, robbing her of her closest friend and human anchor.
- Daniel Grigori: Penn's relationship with Daniel is filtered through Luce's obsession. She is wary of him and the emotional turmoil he causes her friend, but she is also endlessly curious. She channels her resourcefulness into uncovering his secrets, not for her own sake, but to help Luce understand the boy she is inexplicably drawn to.
- Miss Sophia Bliss: Initially, Penn views Miss Sophia as a quirky but harmless librarian, likely maintaining a functional, professional relationship with her as an office aide. This makes Miss Sophia's betrayal and murder of Penn all the more shocking and horrific. Penn's trust in the seemingly benevolent authority figure leads directly to her demise, highlighting the theme of Secrets and Deception.
Defining Moments
- Meeting Luce in the Bathroom: After Luce is humiliated by Molly, Penn appears with shampoo and a spare sweater, offering help without asking for anything in return. This act establishes her as a kind and trustworthy ally from the start.
- The Archive Heist: Penn leads Luce into the school's off-limits records room to find Daniel's file, showcasing her bravery, resourcefulness, and dedication to helping Luce. This scene solidifies their bond as partners in crime.
- The Library Fire: During the fire, Penn escapes safely with Miss Sophia, but her primary concern is for Luce. Her eyewitness account of the fire's origins is crucial, though she remains unaware of the supernatural forces at play.
- Murder in the Gymnasium: Penn's death is a shocking and pivotal moment. After following Luce and Miss Sophia into the cemetery, she is injured by a stray shadow bolt. Miss Sophia, revealing her true nature, murders Penn in the gymnasium foyer, claiming she is "only slowing us down." This brutal act shatters Luce's world and raises the stakes of the conflict to a fatal level.
Symbolism
Penn symbolizes humanity, innocence, and the collateral damage of the epic struggle between Good vs. Evil. In a school populated by fallen angels, she is the "normal" one, the relatable human character who operates on a plane of logic, research, and loyalty. Her mortality serves as a constant, sobering reminder of the real danger the supernatural characters pose. Her tragic death underscores the theme that in this ancient war, no one is safe, and the most innocent are often the first to fall. She is the heart of the story's human element, and her loss signifies Luce's complete immersion into the perilous world of angels.
Essential Quotes
"I’m Pennyweather Van Syckle-Lockwood. You can call me Penn."
This simple introduction establishes Penn's down-to-earth nature. She offers her friendship without pretense, immediately making Luce feel more comfortable in the strange and intimidating environment of Sword & Cross.
"I’m not actually crazy. No offense. I’m the only kid at this school without a court mandate. And you might not think it, but being legally sane has its advantages. For example, I’m also the only kid they trust to be an office aide. Which is dumb on their part. I have access to a lot of confidential shit."
This quote highlights Penn's self-awareness and her unique position at Sword & Cross. She is not defined by a troubled past like the other students, and she uses her access to information to her advantage, becoming Luce's invaluable source of intel.
"If you really want to know about Daniel Grigori—...assuming hypothetically you did want to know more about a certain unnamed person, you could conceivably bark up a more fruitful tree. You know, if you had help."
Penn's willingness to help Luce investigate Daniel, despite her own reservations, demonstrates her loyalty and dedication to their friendship. She is willing to put herself at risk to help Luce uncover the truth, even if it means delving into dangerous secrets.
"Luce. I’m scared."
Penn's final words are a poignant reminder of her vulnerability and humanity. In the face of unimaginable danger, she expresses her fear, grounding the supernatural conflict in real human emotion. Her death is all the more tragic because she is, at her core, just a scared girl trying to help her friend.