Shadow and Bone

by

Leigh Bardugo

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Shadow and Bone makes teaching easy.

The Apparat Character Analysis

The Apparat is a priest who serves the King and the Darkling. Alina initially hates and fears him: he smells like a musty graveyard and seems like an unhinged fanatic who’s far too interested in Alina. At several points, the Apparat seems to try to warn Alina against cooperating with the Darkling, though due to how strange the Apparat’s behavior is, Alina never confirms whether she’s reading these warnings correctly. In the end, the Darkling elevates the Apparat to rule in the King’s stead; he once told Alina that the Apparat “has his uses,” and this, Alina believes, is what he meant.
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The Apparat Character Timeline in Shadow and Bone

The timeline below shows where the character The Apparat appears in Shadow and Bone. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 7
Identity and Self-Knowledge Theme Icon
Class and Privilege Theme Icon
Gender, Sex, and Power Theme Icon
Conformity vs. Individuality Theme Icon
...but they all pretend to. He explains that the man in priests’ robes is the Apparat; the man is either a fraud or a fanatic, but he “has his uses.” With... (full context)
Chapter 9
Identity and Self-Knowledge Theme Icon
Conformity vs. Individuality Theme Icon
...Marie’s constant anti-Corporalki chatter is obnoxious, and Alina feels even worse when she notices the Apparat watching her from the trees. (full context)
Chapter 10
Identity and Self-Knowledge Theme Icon
Desperation, Leadership, and Corruption Theme Icon
Class and Privilege Theme Icon
One afternoon, as Alina is reading in the library, the Apparat appears and looms over her. He’s the only other person in the library, and he... (full context)
Chapter 11
Identity and Self-Knowledge Theme Icon
Class and Privilege Theme Icon
Conformity vs. Individuality Theme Icon
...She wakes up again when it’s dark, pours herself water, and opens the window. The Apparat startles her when he appears out of the shadows. He asks if she’s well and... (full context)
Identity and Self-Knowledge Theme Icon
Conformity vs. Individuality Theme Icon
Genya visits in the morning and is unconcerned about the Apparat—though she agrees that Alina should move back to her room. She asks to fix Alina’s... (full context)
Chapter 13
Identity and Self-Knowledge Theme Icon
Gender, Sex, and Power Theme Icon
Conformity vs. Individuality Theme Icon
...the corner with a knowing grin. The Darkling leaves with Ivan to meet with the Apparat, leaving Alina standing alone. (full context)
Chapter 14
Class and Privilege Theme Icon
Gender, Sex, and Power Theme Icon
...she knows she’s not strong enough to destroy the Fold. To make things worse, the Apparat is everywhere. Alina struggles to avoid him. (full context)
Class and Privilege Theme Icon
Gender, Sex, and Power Theme Icon
...few minutes later, Alina leaves the room to return to the party. She avoids the Apparat, who tries to grab her and tell her, cryptically, that things are moving too quickly.... (full context)
Chapter 19
Identity and Self-Knowledge Theme Icon
Greed vs. Mercy Theme Icon
...Mal in chains. They’ll leave for the Fold in the morning, where they’ll meet the Apparat. After warning Alina not to hurt herself on purpose, the Darkling commands someone to burn... (full context)
Chapter 20
Desperation, Leadership, and Corruption Theme Icon
Gender, Sex, and Power Theme Icon
Conformity vs. Individuality Theme Icon
...about what the Darkling is planning. Genya reveals that the King is ill, so the Apparat is ruling. Alina remembers the Darkling saying the Apparat “has his uses”; now, she wishes... (full context)
After
Desperation, Leadership, and Corruption Theme Icon
...happened in Novokribirsk and heard that some people blame the Darkling. They’ve heard that the Apparat disappeared, that foreign troops are missing, and that the Sun Summoner is dead. They never... (full context)