The Conjure Woman · Character
Tom
A Northern white landowner whose scientific skepticism and genuine curiosity about Julius's tales make him the perfect foil for the old man's storytelling.
major
Also known as Mars Tom, young Mars Tom
First appearance: the goophered grapevine
As a major figure in The Conjure Woman, Tom is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Julius's grandson, hired by the narrator but discharged for laziness and untrustworthiness.
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Tom represents the educated Northern outsider trying to make a go of vineyard farming in the post-war South, dependent on Julius's labor and local knowledge. He listens to Julius's conjure tales with a mixture of…
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The fuller portrait of Tom sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Tom in the goophered grapevineCharacter Web
10 connectionsA slice of how Tom sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Conjuring Plots and Revenge
- Protagonist
- Conjuring and Identity
- Conjuring and Transformation
+5 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this scene, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Julius, while cutting a slice of ham, is sudde…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingIn the story
Tom appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Tom unlock in the free preview.
See Tom in the goophered grapevine