Stobrod Thewes Character Analysis

The bumbling, ne’er-do-well father of Ruby Thewes, Stobrod is one of the novel’s most complex characters—he’s both comic and deeply serious, likable and despicable. As a younger man, Stobrod was a poor father—he never hit Ruby, but neither did he take care of her. After the beginning of the Civil War, Stobrod went off to fight, leaving Ruby to fend for herself. Halfway through the war, Stobrod deserted and returned to Black Cove, where he finds Ruby living with Ada Monroe. In spite of Stobrod’s poor parenting, it’s suggested that he’s beginning to redeem himself by playing the fiddle—something he does with jaw-dropping artistry and craft. As Ada acknowledges, Stobrod’s example proves that any man can change, provided they have the will to do so.