Pahóm is the protagonist and the only character whose thoughts and actions are described in detail. Pahóm is married with at least two sons; he appears to be a good husband, since his wife is content with the life they have, and he consults his wife about his ideas for acquiring land. When he gets frustrated, however, he can show a bad temper and take it out on his family. When the story begins, Pahóm is a peasant, and he reveals his one dissatisfaction with his life: He does not have enough land. He soon sets about changing that, amassing more and more land as the story progresses. He finds, however, that owning land comes with its own burdens: The peasants trespass on his corn fields, and he quarrels with them. Pahóm is never satisfied for long with what he has. He always wants something bigger and better. Pahóm is not a foolish man and he is quite competent in negotiating with others to get what he wants. He is shrewd and ambitious and knows how to carry out a plan. He no doubt thinks that he is doing the right thing. However, as the story proceeds, his desire to succeed and better himself shades over into acquisitiveness and greed, ultimately leading to his downfall.