# The Splinter, the Thorn, and the Rib explained — The Middle Five

> Chapter companion for The Middle Five by Francis La Flesche.

## What happens

The boys exchange stories about creation, comparing an Omaha legend of a thorn turning into a girl with the biblical story of Adam and Eve. Their storytelling is interrupted by Graybeard's discipline and later by the supper bell. The chapter also includes Frank's aunt removing a splinter from his toe, prompting further discussion of the thorn legend.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_five_se/chapters/vii-the-splinter-the-thorn-and-the-rib
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_five_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_five_se/chapters