The character in the book "Shadows" by Robin McKinley struggles with his identity due to his mixed heritage and the isolation stemming from it. His half-Japanese background and the fact that he lives in a large, unfamiliar house away from the others contribute to a sense of not fully belonging to the group. The other characters perceive him as aloof and arrogant, which further reinforces the idea that he occupies a different social space than they do.

Additionally, his label as a "grind" and "werewolf" suggests that he is misunderstood and judged solely based on surface traits rather than his deeper qualities or experiences. This insight reveals that social dynamics and identity are more complex than they appear, highlighting how external perceptions can distort the truth about an individual's character.