Running Fisher Character Analysis in Fools Crow

Fools Crow’s brother and Rides-at-the-door’s son. When Running Fisher is first introduced, he is a promising young Pikuni, and his father sees him as an honorable warrior-in-the-making. On his first war raid, however, Running Fisher is terrified when a solar eclipse causes the “Sun to hide his face,” and he only pretends to fight, riding along the outskirts of the camp and yelling. Afterward, Running Fisher is consumed by his shame and begins to withdraw from family life and resent his brother’s success. He ultimately has an affair with his father’s third wife, Kills-close-to-lake, and is sent to live with relatives in the Siksikas tribe to the north as punishment for dishonoring his father’s lodge.

Running Fisher Character Timeline in Fools Crow

The timeline below shows where the character Running Fisher appears in Fools Crow. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Spirituality and the Natural World Theme Icon

...been for some time. Rides-at-the-door fears his elder son is a coward. His younger son, Running Fisher , shows much more promise of becoming a respected member of the tribe. Now, as... (full context)

The Individual vs. the Collective Good Theme Icon

...will be impossible. Instead, White Man’s Dog spends his time hunting blackhorns with Rides-at-the-door and Running Fisher . Not even Rides-at-the-door possesses a many-shots gun and the men hunt with bows and... (full context)

...he is not interested in her either. As White Man’s Dog thinks about Red Paint, Running Fisher rushes into the lodge and tells them that Fast Horse has banished himself and has... (full context)

Colonialism and Western Expansion Theme Icon

...kill and rob more Napikwans, which will bring the blue-coat seizers to raid Pikuni lands. Running Fisher wants to fight the seizers, but his father warns him that the white man must... (full context)

As White Man’s Dog leaves for his journey, Running Fisher notices how his brother has changed. Now, he envies White Man’s Dog and does not... (full context)

...meet him. White Man’s Dog notices that the scout is Eagle Ribs. He looks to Running Fisher , who is obviously frightened. “A-wah-heh,” says White Man’s Dog. “Take courage, brother.” (full context)

...off and that she had to learn it from a gossip. She is concerned about Running Fisher too, as he has been behaving strangely. (full context)

...behind the clouds. Kills-close-to-the-lake makes her way to a small tipi nearby and slips inside. Running Fisher lays inside lazily studying an arrow. “Come here, then—where it’s warm,” he says as he... (full context)

...his near-mother. After all, she had suspected Fools Crow of behaving inappropriately with Kills-close-to-the-lake, not Running Fisher . She will tell Rides-at-the-door tonight, she thinks. (full context)

Striped Face grows angry at the thought of the camp learning about Running Fisher and Kills-close-to-the-lake’s betrayal. She can’t stand the thought of White Grass Woman gossiping about them,... (full context)

...as far as his people were concerned but he has failed with his own son. Running Fisher has lost his honor. “Honor is all we have,” he thinks, “that and the blackhorns.... (full context)

Running Fisher enters the lodge and sits. He openly admits to his affair with Kills-close-to-the-lake and Rides-at-the-door... (full context)

Rides-at-the-door looks to Running Fisher . He tells him that he is to travel north to the people of the... (full context)

Running Fisher tells his father that he lost his courage the day they invaded the Crows to... (full context)

...banish his son completely, but he can’t bring himself to do it. That will cause Running Fisher to be full of hatred, much like Fast Horse. He tells his son that if... (full context)