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The Other/Dr. Valentine Ketterley
For much of the novel, 16 is a mysterious figure. All Piranesi knows of them is what the Other tells him: 16 is an enemy whose words will make Piranesi insane. As the story progresses, however, Piranesi becomes increasingly curious about 16’s identity, and after learning the truth about the Other, decides to team with them. Together, they take down the Other and 16 introduces herself as Raphael. A dark-haired police officer who’s around 40 years old, she explains how she came to discover Piranesi’s whereabouts and her journey to save him. Her story reveals her to be not only incredibly brave and resourceful, but also kind. Touring the House, she proves herself to be a true friend and kindred soul to Piranesi. Though she asks Piranesi to return home with her, she does not pressure him. A deeply, kind, sympathetic person, she understands the difficulty of the decision, and she promises to visit him no matter what he decides. Galvanized by her kindness and their emotional connections, Piranesi decides to accompany Raphael to the real world.
16/Raphael Quotes in Piranesi
The Piranesi quotes below are all either spoken by 16/Raphael or refer to 16/Raphael . For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Part 1 Quotes
And You. Who are You? Who is it that I am writing for? Are you a traveler who has cheated Tides and cross Broken Floors and Derelict Stairs to reach these Halls. Or are You perhaps someone who inhabits my own Halls after I am dead?
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Part 2 Quotes
So this, as far as I can tell, is what the birds told me. A message from Afar. Obscure Writing. Innocence eroded. Interesting. I will allow some time to elapse—say a few months—and then I will examine this communication again to see if the intervening events can shed any light upon it (and vice versa).
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“You said you met 16. But you also said 16 does not know the way here. Meaning that you must have met him in his own Hall or, at any rate, in some Remote Region. This surprises me because I do not believe you have undertaken any long journeys since I have known you.” I smiled at the Other, awaiting his answer, which I fully expected would be very interesting.
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Part 4 Quotes
One sentence puzzles me: The world was constantly speaking to Ancient Man. I do not understand why this sentence is in the past tense. The World still speaks to me everyday.
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Are you Matthew Rose Sorensen?
I am… I stuttered. I am…
At first I could get no further than this.
I am… I am the Beloved Child of the House.
Yes.
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Part 6 Quotes
He had suffered. He had been alone with his enemy. It had been more than he could bear. Perhaps the Other had taunted him. Matthew Rose Sorensen had torn into pieces the description of his enslavement that he had written in his Journal and he had scattered the pieces in the Eighty-Eighth Western Hall. Then the House in its Mercy had caused him to fall asleep — which was by far the best thing for him — and it had placed him inside me.
0111
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This annoyed me. ‘I do not see why you say I can only see a representation in this World,’ I said with some sharpness. ‘The word “only” suggests a relationship of inferiority. You make it sounds as if the Statue was somehow inferior to the thing itself. I do not see that that is the case at all. I would argue that the Statue is superior to the thing itself, the statue being perfect, eternal, and not subject to decay.’
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16/Raphael Character Timeline in Piranesi
The timeline below shows where the character 16/Raphael appears in Piranesi. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1
...Child, whom Piranesi believes was once intended to be his wife. Last, Piranesi names the 16th person, “You,” the person he is writing for.
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...of writing on one’s mind, as well as the importance of passing on knowledge to “you,” the 16th person. Piranesi keeps multiple notebooks, one to track the Tides, one to catalog...
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Part 2
...is confused at this request, and the Other explains that he has met this sixteenth person—“16”—before and that they are his enemy. The Other reassures Piranesi that 16 does not know...
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Piranesi updates his journal entry for 16. The next day, Piranesi visits the First Vestibule, a place he rarely goes, despite it...
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Part 3
A few weeks later, Piranesi approaches an old man. Piranesi asks if he is 16, but the man is confused. Piranesi explains his numbering system, listing the dead people, like...
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...discovery: prison. He then tells Piranesi how “this world was made,” claiming that, in his youth, he realized that the wisdom of the ancients—allowing men to fly, etc.— had been lost,...
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...here. He tells Piranesi that someone is searching for him. Piranesi asks if it is 16, which the man confirms uncertainly.
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Piranesi says the Other claimed 16 was after him, not Piranesi. The man says denies this, claiming Ketterley is an egoist....
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...Piranesi tries to interpret the Prophet’s various claims, like his claim that he is not 16 and that he sent others here. Piranesi wonders if the Prophet is from a distant...
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...him about the Prophet, but the Other interrupts before he can. He tells Piranesi that 16 is actually looking for Piranesi, and that 16 will tell him horrible things that will...
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Piranesi practices hiding from 16, noting how his faded clothing makes for good camouflage amid the statues. The next day,...
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Part 4
...to reveal his encounter with the Prophet and the Other is already on edge about 16’s arrival. The following morning, Piranesi smells a strong perfume emanating from a doorway. He traces...
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...does not react as badly as expected. Instead, he calmly states his intention to eliminate 16. Piranesi is taken aback. The Other also demands that Piranesi tell him if he ever...
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...He has only ever used white chalk, meaning this must be someone else’s. Piranesi suspects 16 and discovers directions in chalk to the First Vestibule. He follows them, finding nothing. Returning,...
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...with a feeling of disquiet. Following a distant sound, he discovers the Other searching for 16, calling him “Raphael.” Piranesi hides himself and the Other drops the torch. In the darkness,...
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The next day, Piranesi asks the Other why he did not say 16 was a woman. The Other explains that Piranesi, while a man of reason, is also...
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...but he is unconcerned: he won’t be “here” for the convergence. Piranesi shows concern for 16, being a non-resident of the House, and says he does not want her to drown....
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Piranesi decides to warn 16 of the flood. Walking to the Sixth North-Western Hall, he hopes she has not left...
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Piranesi repeats 16’s question in his mind, saying, “I am…” Finishing the statement, he says, “I am the...
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Part 6
...Worlds when they wrote their respective journal entries. Piranesi also reflects on the actions of 16 and realizes that she is looking for him, not the Other. Not only this, but...
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...possessions in high places out of reach of the flood. Lastly, he goes to collect 16’s bowls. Along the way, he encounters a bag containing a gun, several paddles, and an...
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Piranesi wakes with nerves on the day of the flood. Determined to find and protect 16 from the flood, he searches the Halls around the First Vestibule. He does not find...
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...gradually the Other catches on. Piranesi reveals that he now remembers “Battersea” and has read 16’s message. The Other is shocked and angry, asking: “Matthew, how stupid do you think I...
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...get into the boat, but the Other does not listen and continues shooting. Piranesi and 16 hide behind a statue to shield them from the Other’s bullets. With the sound of...
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Piranesi and 16 wait out the Tides, not speaking. Slowly, the water recedes, and Piranesi addresses 16, saying...
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Raphael suggests they return home but Piranesi says he is already home. Raphael explains he has...
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Raphael asks if Piranesi would return home to see Matthew’s family. Piranesi says not now, citing...
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...explaining that Matthew lives inside him, and that Piranesi will take good care of him. Raphael returns but rejects Piranesi’s idea. She asks what she should call Piranesi, but he is...
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Piranesi reveals that he has met Laurence, which shocks Raphael. She does not understand why Laurence did not offer to help Piranesi leave, but Piranesi...
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Piranesi and Raphael discuss the differences between their worlds. Piranesi is offended by her suggestion that the statues...
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The next day, at Raphael’s request, Piranesi gives a tour of his favorite places in the labyrinth—something he has always...
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While on their tour, Raphael expresses how much she likes it here, saying there are “no people.” Surprised, Piranesi asks...
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On his final day, Piranesi retrieves his hair ornaments, braiding them back into his hair. Raphael seems surprised by his new appearance. Piranesi takes his messenger bag with him and walks...
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Part 7
...this as evidence of a mental breakdown, as does Piranesi/Matthew’s family. Changing topics, they discuss Raphael, both applauding her for her work. Piranesi/Matthew does not dispute Askill’s claim that Raphael found...
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...Arne-Sayles. This is something Matthew would do, plus no one knows Arne-Sayles like he does. Raphael has taught Piranesi/Matthew how to travel to the labyrinth by himself. A week prior, he...
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...throne. His weight threatens to break it, but the pope is pleased by his repulsiveness. Raphael is represented by two statues: one of a protector queen, the other of an S...
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...home. Upon waking, he realizes he is not “home,” but “here.” Piranesi walks to meet Raphael. It begins to snow, and the cars make a noise which reminds him of the...
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