# The Atavism of John Tom Little Bear explained — Short Fiction > Chapter companion for Short Fiction by O. Henry. ## What happens Jeff Peters recounts his partnership with John Tom Little Bear, an educated Cherokee Indian, and their scheme to run a medicine show in Kansas. The story explores the tension between John Tom's education and his reversion to tribal instincts, culminating in a violent confrontation when John Tom helps a mother recover her kidnapped son from her abusive husband. ## Themes in this chapter ### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality The medicine show is a front for a swindle, and John Tom's civilized exterior masks his 'atavistic' instincts. ### Ambition and Failure John Tom's education and ambition to bridge racial divides ultimately fail, leading to a reversion to tribal ways. ## Character check-ins ### Jeff Peters Narrator and business manager of the medicine show, recounts the story to the unknown narrator. ### Unknown Narrator Visits Jeff Peters in his room and listens to the tale of John Tom Little Bear. ### Johnny Atwood Referred to as John Tom Little Bear, an educated Cherokee Indian and Jeff's partner in the medicine show. ## Key lines > You lasso us, and teach us what is beautiful in literature and in life, and how to appreciate what is fine in men and women. What have you done to me? You've made me a Cherokee Moses. You've taught me to hate the wigwams and love the white man's ways. I can look over into the promised land and see Mrs. Conyers, but my place is—on the reservation. John Tom laments that white education has made him despise his own culture while still being barred from full acceptance in white society. _Highlights the theme of cultural alienation and the failure of assimilation._ > Combined, with the interesting little physiological shakeup known as reversion to type. John Tom attributes his violent behavior to a temporary return to his ancestral instincts. _Explains the title's concept of atavism._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-atavism-of-john-tom-little-bear - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters