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In the beginning, we learn that Tom and his friends are taking a trip to Tom's grandfather's grave. Later, we learn more about him from Tom's stories.

How important is his character to the overall story? How significant is he in the development of Tom's character or Sarah's?

I think that Bob Bob is significant because they are traveling there to his grave. If he wasn't apart of the story then the characters would not be going to the trail. Also, if we didn't learn about Bob Bob then the characters would not know about the trail at all.

The whole trip was based on him and Tom made some of his decisions based on what Bob Bob did with him in the past, so I think he was pretty significant.

Mjgarrison wrote:The whole trip was based on him and Tom made some of his decisions based on what Bob Bob did with him in the past, so I think he was pretty significant.

KeriCraven wrote:I think that Bob Bob is significant because they are traveling there to his grave. If he wasn't apart of the story then the characters would not be going to the trail. Also, if we didn't learn about Bob Bob then the characters would not know about the trail at all.

I agree with these two. Bob Bob was fairly significant.

I agree with all. Bob Bob is very significant as he was the reason for the trip. They wouldn't have gone camping otherwise.

He took Tom from a depressive state and helped him grow. All this on his last trek.

Bob-Bob is key to the story. Further ancestral reverence in Indian culture makes him the more significant. He's the driving force to the story.

I think everyone really answered this one well - Bob Bob was significant. If it wasn't for him, we probably wouldn't have a story since they wouldn't have a need to go to his grave site.

Does anyone think he plays a significant role in who Tom is? Do you see is influence in Tom's character?

Though dead his role is significant because he reunites his grand son Tom with Sarah who is Tom's granddaughter as they go on this hike to tend to Bob Bob's grave and return the atlatl. In the process the two build a relationship which was initially nonexistent and then tumultuous.

Without Bob-Bob, there would not be a reason to go on the hike.

Gikonyo Caroline wrote:Though dead his role is significant because he reunites his grand son Tom with Sarah who is Tom's granddaughter as they go on this hike to tend to Bob Bob's grave and return the atlatl. In the process the two build a relationship which was initially nonexistent and then tumultuous.

You're right. He helped build Tom and Sarah's relationship because if it wasn't for the trip they wouldn't have went.

I agree, without Bob Bob there would be no story. He had the artifact, he was the reson for the hike. He gave Tom many of his values.

I feel like Bob-Bob played an important part of Tom's younger years. The trauma of losing him on the trail like he did caused a huge shift in Tom's life that affected many of his choices later on. In sharing the story with Sarah, especially after she has her dream, I believe she understood the connection Tom developed with the history of the land because of Bob-Bob. Bob-Bob also put down the foundation of the novel and experience the family has by discovering the ancient artifact as mentioned previously.

Interestingly, he is the reason for everything that happens in the story. However, it also feels like his atlatl competes for centerstage because after he is properly buried, the rest of the story is all about finding the origin and significance of this artefact so as to preserve the park.