Ten Indians

The protagonist of “Ten Indians,” Nick is the only character whose interiority features in the story. No physical description is provided—as with the other characters—but the story’s subtext implies he is an adolescent. Alongside clues like living with his father and his crush on Prudence Mitchell, “Ten Indians” is grouped with other childhood stories in The Nick Adams Stories. Hemingway characterizes young Nick through his actions—his silence when the Garners make racist remarks shows his discomfort with anti-Indigenous stereotypes, but he is also polite and obliging. He thanks Mrs. Garner for including him in the day’s festivities, saying, “I had a wonderful time” (22), and obeys when she asks him to send Carl up to the house. Nick is also responsible, returning home because he knows his father is waiting for him, and the two have an ease with each other.

When Nick learns of Prudence’s infidelity, his emotional nature comes out, represented by his repetition of questions already answered, his inability to finish a sentence, and his breaking down into tears (though he does not cry in front of his father, showing that he is concerned with social norms regarding masculinity).