Boy of the Painted Cave

“He knew that Garth and the other hunters did not understand this. Even Volt, the leader, looked up on him as an idler and a dreamer, unworthy of respect or manhood.”

In this passage, the novel establishes Tao’s position within the clan. This is a culture in which the role of “manhood” is taken very seriously—it is the men who hunt and provide food, skins, and supplies for the tribe. Tao’s love of nature and his artistic longings further marginalize him in his community, making him not only poor, orphaned, and disabled, but also soft and useless. A man who is not a “man” is a burden on the clan, unable to contribute the way he is meant to.

“Born with a bad right foot, a foot that bent down and turned in slightly, Tao walked with a limp. However, by curling his foot around the shaft of his spear, he had learned to travel with greater ease and, when in a hurry, he could vault over the hills faster than a running man.”

Tao was born disabled both physically and circumstantially, but his intelligence, ingenuity, and adaptability allow him to thrive. Using his method, he can travel faster than a running man, demonstrating that what we may see as disabilities can become benefits to the people who possess them.

“Perhaps Graybeard would come and paint images in the Secret Cavern. If the spirits were pleased, great herds of horses, deer, and bison would fill the plains and forests. The people would eat well and the clan would thrive. There would be many pelts with which to make new robes and boots, ivory and antlers to make needles, spears, and knives.” 

This early explanation of the tribe’s belief system demonstrates both their investment in the pleasure of the spirits and their dependence on the natural world. It also establishes the importance of Graybeard’s role in the clan—he is the one who creates the images that please the spirits, which they believe ultimately determines the clan’s success or suffering. Their strict rules are understandable because the clan links these paintings to their food supply and survival.

“Tao shook his head as he huddled down in the loose straw. Why are all these things bad? He wondered. Why is it wrong to draw in the sand, to make a picture on a stone, to be born with a lame foot? Is there nothing good, nothing right? Is this why Volt is always angry? Everything he sees is bad. Kala said she has never seen an evil spirit. If they are real, where do they stay, where do they hide? In the forest, behind the mountains and boulders?”

Tao is thinking critically about his people’s beliefs and superstitions. He recognizes that the label of “evil” is applied to things that are different or confusing. In asking where the evil spirits hide and citing the natural world as possible locations, Tao is suggesting that people are assigning human ideas to things that are purely natural and neutral. People can do good by working with the natural world, or people can fear it and think of it as evil. Tao wonders if this superstitious fear makes people angry and destructive.

“The clan people called it the Slough. The elders said it was peopled by demons. The hunters never went there and the women would not dig its roots or harvest its berries lest they become cursed by evil spirits.” 

The Slough provides a concrete example of the ways human superstition can be more harmful than helpful. Tao expects to find something dark and evil on the other side of the bushes. When he discovers a beautiful, bountiful land, his disbelief in evil spirits is strengthened. The people are hungry, but they are too afraid of the taboo area to take advantage of its resources

“He liked the eagle-owl’s fierce courage. ‘If there be demons,’ he whispered, ‘you must be one of them.’”

Tao respects and admires the eagle-owl. Her cries of anger had led Tao to believe he would confront a demon or an evil spirit. When he sees the horrible noise was coming from a bird defending her nest, he further identifies demons and evil spirits as something symbolic rather than literal.

“Yet the anger within him would not let him be silent. I have Ram now, he thought. With the wolf dog I can bring back more food than the hunters. Instead he said, “I will hunt alone. What I catch I will bring back to the camp.”

Tao is emboldened by his success and by the way that his open-mindedness and adaptability have paid off. He is empowered enough by his experiences with Ram in the Slough that he declares he will find his own way and live independently of the clan. Long seen as a hinderance by the hunters, Tao now recognizes his own strength, agency, and value and begins to resist the dictates of the clan.

“Tao shrugged. He felt there was little use in talking to these men, who would listen only to demons and evil spirits.”

Tao’s disinterest in convincing the hunters he is right demonstrates his maturity and wisdom. He knows he is right and does not need the others to agree with him or see things his way. His acceptance of the men’s intractability is a sign of Tao’s intelligence and rational approach to the world as well as his true intentions to forge his own path. Knowing he is doing the right thing, Tao does not attempt to impose his own ideas onto other people.

“In spite of years of carrying firewood, skinning deer, making robes and sewing clothing, Kala could still smile. She smiled with good, strong teeth, strong from chewing on pelts and skins to make them soft. Always Kala spoke the truth, which often angered the elders, but they let her alone because she was wise and knew much history of the clan.”

The novel’s depiction of Kala establishes her as another character who exists on the margins of the society. When Tao notes she “could still smile,” he suggests that she has not been hardened by long years of the difficult life they lead. Tao also suggests that “the truth” angers the elders, which establishes the culture as one that does not value change or progress.

“‘I used to go there when I was a girl. It was a good place, filled with many berries, many mushrooms and fish.’ She smiled as she remembered. ‘But that was before the bad thing happened, before it became a place of evil.’”

Kala reveals the clan used to hunt and gather in the Slough for many years. She says this changed when “the bad thing happened.” Later it is revealed the bad thing was the attack on Volt and his mother, which left her dead and him scarred for life. This is significant because it demonstrates how easily a taboo can be established and take hold. The Slough is now feared and avoided by all members of the clan, despite having been a valued place for previous generations. One bad thing happened, and the area was declared evil and taboo. The more this happens, the more limited the people become within their environment and society.

“‘Yes,’ said the old woman. ‘I am sure she gave you the eyes to see beauty in the things around you, the animals, the trees, the mountains. I saw this even when you were a small child. You reached out for the flowers in the fields and you loved to watch birds and squirrels flying through the oak trees. It is the thing that makes you different from others. It is the thing they do not always understand.’”

In noting that Tao’s love of nature makes him “different” from others, Kala suggests the relationship most of the clan has with nature is not in harmony with the natural world. This sensitivity and appreciation are another layer of difference for the boy, setting him apart as well as his bad foot and orphan status does. Tao is othered and different in physical, social, and psychological ways, which contributes to his marginalization. However, this quote shows that Kala sees value in this difference.

“Tao did not want to lie. Yet he knew, if he told the truth, that everything he had would be taken from him—the cave, the paintings, the wolf dog, everything. He stared hard at the ground. ‘I hunt with no man,’ he said.”

Tao must balance his strong moral code with his understanding of the clan’s limitations. He values honesty and does not want to lie, but he knows that Volt and the hunters are incapable of changing their minds about the clan’s traditions and belief in evil spirits. Cleverly, Tao phrases his response in a way that is honest (he hunts with a wolf dog, not a man) but still permits him to follow his own path.

“The old man looked down at him, anger still flashing in his eyes. ‘It is taboo,’ he said harshly. ‘Whether you believe in it or not makes no difference. It is taboo. It is the law of the clans and you must live by it.’”

This statement from Graybeard echoes earlier statements made by Kala. Although both Kala and Graybeard accept that the clan’s taboos are based in unfounded superstition, they still believe the laws must be obeyed. Neither of them is prepared at this point in the novel to resist or act outside of the clan’s laws. Their willingness to step outside of the laws as the novel progresses demonstrates the effect Tao’s courage and resolve have on their character growth.

“Many times the things I foretell do not happen. The people never question it. If the thing I foretell comes to pass they are happy. One thing I know: if they wish to call it magic, then let it be so. If I try to tell them otherwise, they will be angry.”

Graybeard admits what the clans see as “magic” may not be magic at all. Instead, he sees it as a positive aspect of their superstition and belief in spirits and magic. The belief brings the people happiness and comfort, so Graybeard does not take it away from them. This is something that Tao will maintain when he is made the new shaman. It demonstrates an understanding of the context in which the shamans can help the people.

“They brought back much food, and skins from which to make clothing, and bones and horns to make tools and ornaments. Some of the young men came back as brave hunters, some came back with terrible wounds, and two did not come back at all. The day after that there was another ceremony. This time it was sad and there was much crying and wailing.”

This memory shows the dangers and hardships of the clan’s way of life. They must send men out to hunt because hunting provides them with the materials to eat and create their clothing and tools. Yet, some of these men will inevitably die. It is the reality of their life. The people use ceremonies and beliefs to help themselves understand and accept the dangers and losses.

“Now Tao understood why this beast had been chosen as the caretaker of tribal laws. Anyone, man or woman, who broke the taboos of the clan was brought up on the high plains to face Saxon, the sacred bull. Given a spear and a flint knife, they were forced to battle this savage brute. If they lived, it was proof that they had done no wrong. None ever did. The scattering of sun-bleached bones lying across the plains told the story.”

This passage fulfills several functions within the story. First, Tao’s trip to see Saxon is on Graybeard’s advice and establishes their teacher/student relationship. Second, it informs of the deadly consequences for breaking taboos. As Tao is breaking many of them, the passage foreshadows his future discovery, capture, and punishment. Third, it shows how the clan’s beliefs and traditions are self-perpetuating. Beating the enormous bull is a nearly impossible task but is the only avenue to prove oneself innocent; the fact that none have managed reinforces the clan’s belief that the taboo breakers have done something wrong and have met their just ends.

“He walked across the open field, and each time he saw it he stopped and tried to think where he had seen that light before. When he reached the foot of the cliffs, he stood quietly watching as it flashed on and off in the sunlight. Then, all at once, it came back to him and he knew what it was. It was the shining stone.”

This scene fulfills Graybeard’s earlier promise to return as well as his statement that Tao will know of his return through “magic.” The shining stone draws Tao’s attention. The flashing light also demonstrates Tao’s logical and intelligent approach to the world. Instead of inventing a comforting reason or blaming the light on evil spirits, Tao approaches to investigate and thinks hard about what could be causing it. This behavior shows how different he is from his clan and emphasizes the value of his independent and critical thought.

“Soon the odor of roast pig drifted through the little camp as the women speared the legs and ribs on spits and turned them over the open fires. The people were pleased, for it was not often that they were treated to such tasty fare. Even Volt was more friendly. He gave Tao the tusks from the boar’s skull to wear around his neck as an amulet and as a token of his hunting skill.”

In pursuit of his dreams, Tao is also able to provide luxuries to the clan. By bringing back the boar, he is contributing in a way that they understand and know how to value. Volt’s gift of the tusks is a sign of his nascent respect for the boy and marks a shift in the clan’s perception of Tao.

“Tao was amazed. He sat quietly, watching. This too was magic, he thought.”

Tao recognizes the knowledge involved in creating the paints for the images. Graybeard’s ability to create many different colors by mixing things together is a magic of its own, though today we would call it skill. His appreciation is another way Tao demonstrates his respect for the natural world and for the painting itself. He breaks the taboo not because he does not hold painting as sacred but because he recognizes how important and valuable it is, and he longs to contribute.

“The following morning Graybeard went off on his mission of mercy and magic.”

In describing the shaman’s role as one of “mercy and magic” the novel articulates a complex view of the services Graybeard provides. The novel has already established that “magic” is primarily a word the people use to describe something they do not understand. Adding “mercy” suggests the shaman’s role is primarily to relieve suffering. Magic, considered a spiritual thing, something unbound by human limitations, gives the people hope even in dark times.

“They said good-bye, and as the old man walked away, Tao heard the long, hacking cough. He noticed the weary, shambling gait. His heart ached and deep inside he was afraid for his old friend.” 

The narrative has slowly introduced and developed Graybeard’s tiredness and cough. This passage makes the old man’s illness more explicit. Tao understands that his friend is very old, lives a demanding lifestyle, and has grown more and more ill. The reader may also make a connection between Graybeard’s degrading health and his determination to teach Tao everything he knows. Graybeard, knowing of his own sickness, is likely preparing Tao to take his place in the clans.

“Tao knew neither Volt nor Garth had seen him yet, and for one awful moment he waited in the shadows. Then he saw Volt raise his arm. With all his strength he hurled the spear straight at the crouching animal. But Tao was already vaulting through the air, throwing himself between Ram and the flying spear. His hand struck the wooden shaft of the weapon, knocking it to the ground.”

Because of Tao’s actions, Ram faces death at the hands of the hunters. The “one awful moment” Tao describes is that of the decision he must make. Volt and Garth have only seen Ram, not Tao. Tao could sneak off without Ram and leave the wolf dog to his fate. Ram would die, but the hunters would not know that Tao had broken the taboo, and Tao would not face punishment at the hands of the clan. Tao follows his instincts and his own moral code and chooses to protect Ram, endangering himself in the process.

“Tao held his breath. He pressed his body against the rough bark and felt it dig into his arms and legs. Cautiously he peered down through the screen of branches and leaves. Volt was still directly below. The big man walked around the tree. He kept looking up, scanning the branches. Then he stopped and looked straight at Tao. For one brief moment their eyes met. The boy was sure he had been discovered.”

Tao’s certainty that Volt sees him is likely accurate. Volt’s behavior later in the book is contradictory: he sentences Tao to face Saxon but then attempts to assist him. Volt chooses to pretend as though he does not see Tao in the tree. It reflects his complex and conflicting feelings about his son. Like the boar’s tusks, the decision to allow Tao to live on his own and his interference with Saxon, this moment shows the way Volt struggles to balance protectiveness with rejection and disapproval.