Little Big Man | Characters & Character Analysis

Little Big Man Characters

Jack Crabb

Jack Crabb narrates the story. While living with the Cheyenne he becomes Little Big Man as a result of saving Younger Bear's life. Old Lodge Skins gives him the name because although Jack is a small boy, he shows great courage. Jack, however, does not characterize himself in this way. He often depends on luck to bring him through tight situations, but sometimes he displays a quick and brilliant way of handling touchy standoffs, such as the gunfight with Wild Bill Hickok.

Another remarkable part of Jack's character is his compassion for others. He earns Younger Bear as an enemy because in the Cheyenne way, compassion for an opponent is an insult. Nevertheless, Jack accepts people for what they are, good or bad, and like the Cheyenne, he describes others as what is, not what should be. As Jack ages from ten years old to thirty-four, his compassion hardens due...
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