Dobry, the central character of the novel, is a sensitive young boy who wants to become an artist. The early chapters depict him as acting upon impulse, whether in eating too many tomatoes or in making a special kite for his friend Neda. Even then, he exhibits his artistic tendencies: his imagination surfaces when he converses with his companion, the moon, and his careful observation of the individual snowflakes contrasts with Neda's matter-of-fact attitude toward the snow.

Shannon also develops a contrast through Dobry's relationship with the cowherder Asan. Dobry envies Asan's opportunity to go alone into the mountains, but Asan misses human companionship and would prefer to work in the fields with others. Asan feels a special kinship with Dobry, however, perhaps because each, in his own way, is an outsider. Asan's Islam religion tends to separate him from the other villagers, who...