Who is Tom Guthrie from Plainsong and what is their importance?

Tom Guthrie is a teacher and a father. He has been abandoned by his wife. As a result, he finds it difficult to provide his children with the stability they need.

At work, Guthrie faces other challenges. One of his students is a bully, and rather than listen to Guthrie's criticism, the young man attacks Guthrie. Guthrie receives support from the school's principal, but the parents of the young man refuse to believe their son can do anything wrong, and they embark on a vendetta against Guthrie.