The names of Fathers Latour and Vaillant, the novel’s protagonists, are both symbolic and reflect the defining aspects of each man’s character. Latour means “the tower” in French. The image of a solitary, standing tower reflects Father Latour’s reserved nature and difficulty forming social ties. He “stands alone” even though he plays an important role in the religious life of his diocese. An erudite man devoted to lifelong learning, his name also alludes to the idea of the “ivory tower,” an image associated with education and scholastic pursuits.

Vaillant is French for “valiant,” and Father Vaillant is a fearless man driven to spread the word of God in new territories. He thrives in difficult settings and endures many hardships, particularly during his post in Colorado. There, he’s seriously injured on multiple occasions, and each time he returns to work eagerly, without shying away from danger. Whereas Latour feels most at ease alone, Vaillant thrives in the company of others. Because of his extraversion, he’s also a skilled fundraiser and is more capable than Latour of raising capital for the church. Additionally, his nickname, “Blanchard” (“whitey” in French), speaks to his pale skin and especially to his many instances of injury and illness.