# Uncle Tom — Short Fiction character guide

> Uncle Tom in Short Fiction by Leonid Andreyev.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Thomas, the surprised Thomas, stupid Thomas, Tommy, Tom

**First appearance:** 0001-short-fiction

## Snapshot

Thomas, called Uncle Tom, is a lanky, grey-faced disciple who meets Judas's every wild tale with calm, methodical questions until the lie collapses.

## Who they are

Thomas seeks only the substantial and positive, interrogating Judas about names, witnesses, and proofs until the liar either confesses or invents a more plausible falsehood. Their odd friendship is noisy with vituperation on one side and patient, insistent curiosity on the other, and Thomas alone admits when Judas has been right about a village's wickedness. His stubborn honesty makes him the moral counterweight to Judas's restless, thievish imagination.

## Relationships

### [Judas Iscariot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/judas_iscariot)

_psychological_

Judas Iscariot and Uncle Tom have a complex, manipulative dynamic where Judas exerts psychological control over Tom.

### [Judas Iscariot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/judas_iscariot)

_psychological_

Judas Iscariot and Uncle Tom have a complex, manipulative dynamic where Judas exerts psychological control over Tom.

### [Judas Iscariot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/judas_iscariot)

_psychological_

Judas Iscariot and Uncle Tom have a complex, manipulative dynamic where Judas exerts psychological control over Tom.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/ii)

Engages with Judas, questioning his lies and calling his father the devil; is seized by Judas in a tense moment.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/iii)

Observes Judas's strange behavior and listens to his lamentations.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/iv)

Discovers Judas's theft and hesitates to kiss him in reconciliation. Engages in a lengthy debate with Judas about the Teacher's words and the meaning of brotherhood.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/vi)

Engages in conversation with Judas about the swords and later about who is deceiving whom; is called 'stupid Thomas' by Judas.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/vii)

Identified as Thomas; remarks to Peter that the soldiers are after them, showing fear.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/viii)

Briefly appears; Judas nods to him and later questions him about the disciples' hopes.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/ix)

Argues with Judas about the necessity of living to spread Jesus' teachings.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/uncle_tom
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters