Chief guardian Character Analysis in Gathering Blue

An old, powerful man who, as the head of the Council, organizes the village’s annual Gathering and presides over trials, including Kira’s. The chief guardian seems to believe that women have no rights—at the end of Kira’s trial he tells Vandara as much—but he also recognizes and wishes to control the power of art, and thus appoints Kira to weave the Gathering robe. While we are never certain of the chief guardian’s name, Kira thinks that it might be Bartholomew—something with four syllables, indicating his age and supposed wisdom.

Chief guardian Character Timeline in Gathering Blue

The timeline below shows where the character Chief guardian appears in Gathering Blue. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...though women aren’t allowed to do so. A guardian addresses the white-haired man as “ Chief guardian ,” and names the accused and the accuser. Kira stands up straight when she hears... (full context)

The chief guardian directs Vandara to begin. Vandara says that Kira should have been taken to the Field... (full context)

After Vandara finishes her argument, the chief guardian looks to the eleven other guardians. He tells Kira that she isn’t required to defend... (full context)

...to the village’s custom. He also concedes that Kira was born deformed and fatherless. The chief guardian notes that Kira’s father was Christopher, and Jamison reveals that he was hunting with Christopher... (full context)

...proceeds with its deliberation, Kira notices a large box that wasn’t there before lunch. The chief guardian tells the guard to open the box, revealing the Singer’s robe. Everyone, including Kira and... (full context)

Vandara impatiently says that the court must continue with the trial, but the chief guardian tells her that the trial is over. She claims she has the right to know... (full context)

The chief guardian , whose name Kira can’t remember (it might be Bartholomew, she thinks) calls for the... (full context)

The chief guardian then presents the Singer, who enters, holdings his staff and wearing his robe, which is... (full context)