The Magic Finger

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussions of bullying, animal cruelty, and animal death.

The unnamed young girl who narrates The Magic Finger is a passionate and outspoken child who is at first the only person who seems to understand The Importance of Empathy. Although she struggles academically—she admits she isn’t good at spelling or math—she possesses a strong moral compass and is not afraid to stand up for what she believes is right, even when adults laugh at or ignore her. She is always dismissed by others: Her teacher calls her “stupid,” and the Gregg family laughs at her for being upset over hunting. However, the protagonist has a Magic Finger, which activates uncontrollably whenever she becomes very angry or “sees red,” highlighting The Power of Emotion. This power becomes her way of protecting both herself and those she cares about, particularly animals of the forest.

Throughout the story, the narrator does not experience personal change; her role is to be the cause and observer of the Gregg family’s transformation and learning. She is the moral example in the story because she stands up for what she believes in and attempts to help those who need it most, despite her status as a child, illustrating the power of

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