Miss Thomas

Character Analysis

Sing it, Miss T.

Miss Thomas is the singer in Calloway's jazz band. She's been in the band for a long time and probably helped raise Bud's mother Angela. She's like family to the band members and, later, to Bud as well.

"The Most Beautiful Woman in the World"

Miss Thomas is graceful and kind all the way through the book. She's beautiful, she has a lovely voice, and she's loving and comforting toward Bud. Bud thinks that she is "the most beautiful woman in the world" and says that the way she moves her fingers and hands "make you feel like you'd been hit with some kind of magic fairy dust" (14.84). In short, this is a pretty awesome lady, and she's got a special kind of magic that makes you just feel good.

Miss Thomas is a pretty powerful woman, too, though you might not guess it. Even though Herman owns Grand Calloway Station, Miss Thomas lives there and runs the show. She is the one making decisions and figuring out how to take care of Bud. She's at the head of the table in the kitchen, and she's the one who talks to Bud, tucks him into bed, and folds his clothes on his nightstand, just like his mother used to do. More on that in a minute.

Miss Thomas also has the authority to say what she really thinks about Calloway. That's something the other band members can't do. Think about that time Herman barges in and threatens Bud on his first night there. "Miss Thomas said, 'You know, Herman, half the time I don't know if I should laugh at you or just feel sorry for you'" (15.30). Usually, Calloway would get angry at this kind of honesty, but when it comes from Miss Thomas, he just stays silent. Miss Thomas has got a lot of power in this house.

Miss Thomas also becomes a kind of mother for Bud. Remember when Bud looks around at the band members, realizes how much likes them, and starts to cry? Miss Thomas makes him feel safe and lets him cry even though he's in a public place among strangers. Bud says, "I felt Miss Thomas's hand come up under the napkin and rub real soft and slow back and forth over my head. She pulled me out of my chair into her lap and wrapped her arms around me…She said, so quiet that I was the only one who could hear it, "OK, baby, OK. I know, sweetheart, I know" (14.97-98).

Bud needs that gesture from Miss Thomas to know that he is an acceptable person, and that is he welcome, valued, and forgiven. Just what you need from your mother, right?