The Splinter, the Thorn, and the Rib explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Tradition vs. Modernity

  The boys compare an Omaha creation story with the biblical Adam and Eve narrative, highlighting the tension between indigenous traditions and Christian teachings.

• Childhood and Play

  The boys engage in imaginative storytelling and playful debates, even as they face discipline from Graybeard.

Characters to notice

• Me

  Narrator; participates in storytelling and has a splinter removed from his toe by his aunt.

• Brush

  Tells the biblical story of Adam and Eve; aspires to be a preacher; defends the minister.

• Edwin M. Stanton

  Tells the Omaha legend of the thorn turning into a girl; his loud storytelling wakes Graybeard.

• Graybeard

  Disciplines the boys for loud talking after being woken up.

• Lester

  Interrupts the stories with questions; laughs at Brush's imitation of the preacher.

• Warren

  Argues about the difference between a snake and a serpent; wakes up confused after the cloud-rubbing dream.

Key passages

• “I want to know all about these things so I can be a preacher when I get big. I'm going to wear a long black coat, and a vest that buttons up to the throat, and I'm going to wear a white collar, and a pair of boots that squeaks and reaches to my knees”

  Brush expresses his ambition to become a preacher, describing the formal attire he plans to wear.

  Shows Brush's aspiration and the influence of Christian missionaries on the boys.

• “That was my aunt; she saw me when she was going by, and she made me sit down and she looked at my foot. She took a great big splinter out of my toe. My! it hurt.”

  The narrator explains that his aunt removed a large splinter from his toe, causing him pain.

  Connects to the chapter's title and the subsequent discussion of the thorn legend.