Laughing Boy

Slim Girl

Laughing Boy is deeply in love with Slim Girl, but their relationship is fraught with tension, betrayal, and cultural conflict.

Tall Old One

Tall Old One is Laughing Boy's father figure, a wise elder who guides him but also represents traditional Navajo values that clash with Laughing Boy's choices.

Jesting Squaw

Jesting Squaw is a loyal and playful friend to Laughing Boy, often providing comic relief and emotional support.

Red Man

Red Man is Laughing Boy's close friend and confidant, sharing adventures and a deep bond of mutual respect.

Yellow Singer

Laughing Boy and Yellow Singer are romantic rivals for Slim Girl's affection, with Yellow Singer often undermining Laughing Boy.

Grandfather

Grandfather is Laughing Boy's wise and loving elder, a keeper of Navajo traditions who worries about Laughing Boy's path.

Two Bows

Two Bows is a childhood friend of Laughing Boy, sharing a bond of shared history and playful rivalry.

Bay Horse

Bay Horse is Laughing Boy's trusted horse, a vital companion for travel and a symbol of his skill as a horseman.

Narrow Nose

Narrow Nose is a fellow Navajo youth and friend of Laughing Boy, sharing in tribal activities and camaraderie.

Grandfather

Grandfather is Laughing Boy's wise and loving elder, a keeper of Navajo traditions who worries about Laughing Boy's path.

Slim Girl

Laughing Boy is deeply in love with Slim Girl, but their relationship is fraught with tension, betrayal, and cultural conflict.

Yellow Singer

Laughing Boy and Yellow Singer are romantic rivals for Slim Girl's affection, with Yellow Singer often undermining Laughing Boy.

Laughing Boy

Protagonist attending the dance at Tsé Lani, deeply rooted in Navajo traditions.

I

Attends the dance at Tsé Lani and becomes infatuated with Slim Girl.

I

Protagonist riding to Tsé Lani for a dance and horse-racing; reflects on his silverwork and aspirations to become a singer.

II

Attends the dance, is singled out by a girl, dances reluctantly, and feels insulted by her boldness.

III

Immersed in the dance, feeling joy and later loneliness; prays to Dawn Boy and plans to make a silver bracelet for a girl.

II

Attends the dance at Tsé Lani and becomes enchanted by Slim Girl.

I

Wakes up late, participates in wrestling, wins against Red Man, and notices Slim Girl.

II

Present at the gathering, discusses horse racing, refuses to sell his bow-guard, and decides to seek out American tourists.

III

Sells his silver belt to a tourist, smokes a cigar, and later feels sick.

III

Slim Girl's husband, whom she loves but feels conflicted about due to her American entanglements.

I

Attends the dance, becomes infatuated with Slim Girl, discovers a hidden spring, and has a charged conversation with her.

II

Feels alienated from the dance, composes a song, and decides to speak to his uncle about Slim Girl despite her advice.

III

Determined to marry Slim Girl despite his uncle's objections; insists on gambling with Red Man before eloping.

IV

Returns home with Slim Girl after visiting his family, but becomes increasingly troubled by her absences and the winter's strain on their relationship.

I

Prepares for horse races, discusses bets with Jesting Squaw's Son, and secretly anticipates leaving with Slim Girl.

II

Participates in the chicken-pull and horse races, receives a horse from his uncle Half Man, and spots Slim Girl in the crowd.

III

Races his black mare, wins the race, and feels joy and anticipation about leaving with Slim Girl.

V

Brings Slim Girl to meet his family, caught between love and tradition.

I

Laughing Boy is the object of Slim Girl's thoughts; she sees him as a perfect implement, a 'War God' she will mold and bind to her.

II

Mentioned as gambling in a nearby hogan; Slim Girl thinks of him and his stubbornness.

VI

Returns home with Slim Girl, feeling joyful but unaware of her secret.

I

Emerges from the gambling hogan after losing everything; agrees to go with Slim Girl despite his initial hesitation.

III

Recovers a stolen horse from a Pah-Ute, shows warrior prowess and religious restraint.

IV

Arrives at Los Palos with Slim Girl, marvels at the town and railroad, and begins to plan a future at the adobe house.

V

Asks Slim Girl about learning English and shares his true name, Sings Before Spears. He insists on following traditional marriage customs, including a four-day waiting period.

VII

Returns home with Slim Girl, struggles with the revelation of her affair, and confronts Red Man.

I

Sent away by Slim Girl to find pasture for the horses early in the morning.

II

Participates in the marriage ritual, tries whiskey for the first time, and experiences confusion and disgust at Slim Girl's kiss.

III

Reflects on Slim Girl's power over him, feels shame and wonder, dreams of his uncle's story, and wakes in terror.

VIII

Returns home with Slim Girl, feeling joy but later experiencing strain in the marriage during winter.

I

Deeply in love with Slim Girl, he teaches her Navajo songs and rituals, feels a sense of settled manhood, and expresses his desire for a monogamous marriage.

II

Narrates his past experience on a war party against the Pah-Utes, serving as a messenger and tracker.

III

Enjoys the drink and wants more, unaware of Slim Girl's manipulative intentions.

IX

Returns home with Slim Girl, feeling joy and hope for their future together.

I

Finds fulfillment in farming, silversmithing, and teaching Slim Girl Navajo traditions.

II

Teaches Slim Girl about sand-painting and helps her see the beauty in her flawed blanket.

III

Works contentedly at his forge, creating silver jewelry and giving his best pieces to Slim Girl, trusting her judgment.

I

Main perspective; enjoys solitary herding, trading, and designing silver; feels conflicted about Slim Girl's work in town.

II

Drinks whiskey for the first time, becomes intoxicated, and passes out.

III

Feels restless as autumn arrives; meets braves and considers attending the Night Chant dance.

IV

He proposes attending the Night Chant but defers to Slim Girl's wishes, choosing her over his people.

XI

Returns home with Slim Girl, initially joyful but increasingly troubled by her secret life.

I

Brings a cousin home, eagerly anticipates visiting T'o Tlakai for the Night Chant, and expresses his love and devotion to Slim Girl.

II

Rides with ease and natural sociability, is respected by his people, and shares his love of the land with Slim Girl.

III

Rides ahead of Slim Girl, singing a hymn about Dawn Boy Hill and rising fields.

XII

Returns home with Slim Girl, experiences joy and later strain in the marriage.

I

Takes stock of his family's reactions to Slim Girl, confident in her ability to win them over.

II

Returns home with Slim Girl, feeling both joy and anxiety; confides in Jesting Squaw's Son about his profound love for Slim Girl.

III

Mentioned as Slim Girl's devout husband, whose ecstasy and devoutness she ponders.

IV

Participates in the dance and is disturbed by Slim Girl's presence during his spiritual preparation.

V

Defends his marriage and life with Slim Girl before the family council.

VI

Referenced as the object of Slim Girl's control and affection, feeling his presence through the cold floor.

XIII

Returns home with Slim Girl, feeling joy but later struggling with the winter's strain on their marriage.

I

Protagonist who uses cunning to outsmart the trader Narrow Nose, demonstrating his intelligence and cultural pride.

XIV

Returns home with Slim Girl, experiences joy and later strain in the marriage.

I

Leads the way through the blizzard, identifies a deserted hogan as taboo, and finds shelter with a family.

II

Impatient and self-conscious in the crowded hogan, he misses the airy home with Slim Girl and is tormented by lice. He finds comfort in the evening myth-telling and cleverly covers a verbal slip.

III

Returns home with Slim Girl, admires the fireplace, kisses her, and feels domestic bliss.

XV

Returns home with Slim Girl, feeling joy but later strained by winter and his wife's absences.

I

Feels disturbed by Red Man's implications but is convinced by Slim Girl's explanation; confronts Red Man directly.

II

Mentioned as the husband whose demands complicate Slim Girl's arrangements with George; he notices her triumphant look after returning from dances.

III

Praises Slim Girl's weaving, shares in domestic life, and enjoys arranging flowers.

XVI

Returns home with Slim Girl, feeling joy and contentment after the family visit.

I

Feels restless and critically studies his wife, hiding his unease from himself.

II

Struggles with inner turmoil, homesickness, and fear of losing himself in his marriage; rejects the false cure of whiskey.

III

Recovers from drunkenness, feels cleansed, returns home determined to do better, refuses alcohol, and shares a perfect evening with Slim Girl.

IV

Works silver alongside Slim Girl, easing his soul through shaping metal; contemplates patience and the nature of his work.

XVII

Returns home with Slim Girl, feeling joy and hope, but later struggles with the winter's isolation and his wife's absences.

I

Now called 'Horse Trader' or 'Turns His Back'; he spends time away from home and comforts his friend Jesting Squaw's Son.

II

Hosts Jesting Squaw's Son, shows him the town and railroad, and works with Slim Girl to comfort him.

XVIII

Returns home with Slim Girl, feeling joy but later experiencing strain in the marriage during winter.

I

Pursues his missing stallion, discovers Slim Girl's betrayal, and shoots both her and the American man.

II

Returns home and wrestles with the decision to leave Slim Girl, feeling his identity as a warrior is at stake.

XIX

Returns home with Slim Girl, initially joyful but later confronts her about her relationship with George.

I

Finds Slim Girl wounded, removes the arrow, and breaks down emotionally.

II

Listens to Slim Girl's confession, then tells her to sleep and squats in the doorway smoking.

III

Achieves inner peace and understanding of Slim Girl; decides to move north to live among The People.

I

Moves his horses north, buys provisions, and plans a new life with Slim Girl away from Americans.

II

Leads the move to Oljeto, brings his best horses, and collects petrified wood for jewelry making.

III

Witnesses Slim Girl's shooting, carries her to safety, and grieves her death.

IV

Grieving and methodical, he prepares Slim Girl's grave, offers his own possessions, and performs a ritual sacrifice.

XXI

Returns home with Slim Girl, feeling joy and hope, but later becomes troubled by the winter's strain on their marriage.

I

Endures a four-day vigil, wrestling with grief, fear, and visions of Slim Girl's ghost.

II

Travels alone across the mesa, chants a prayer song, and arrives at the Mountain Chant ceremony.

III

Attends the Mountain Chant ceremony, feels spiritual peace, and kisses Slim Girl's gold bracelet before sleeping.