Thomas Builds-the-Fire

Thomas is the protagonist of the novel. The first qualities one notices about Thomas are his tendency toward kindness and compassion toward his fellow man. His kindness extends beyond his fellow reservation residents. When Robert Johnson arrives on the reservation, Thomas is the first person to stop and speak to him. Thomas also offers assistance, and it is through Thomas's help that Robert Johnson finds Big Mom and is freed from his previous arrangement with The Gentleman.

From an early age, Thomas has felt a compulsion to tell stories. His stories are generally of a historical nature and he tells them in a captivating manner full of detail. Nevertheless, many reservation residents tire of hearing the stories, and some even think of Thomas as perhaps somewhat mentally unstable, even though he does not drink alcohol like so many others on the reservation.

Though a meek and humble...