Miracle at St. Anna

Content Warning: This section of the guide refers to racism, violence, and trauma in war.

Sam Train is a kindhearted Black solider in the 92nd Division, originally from the South. Others consider Train unintelligent and freely comment upon this, which does not bother Train, who has never worried about being smart. At various points in the novel, Train becomes certain that he has grown invisible, which not only makes him impervious to harm but also offers him an intense connection with his surroundings and a sense of “knowing” that contradicts his usual lack of intelligence.

This “knowing” builds upon Train’s characterization as highly empathetic and able to connect with people (and things) that are different from himself, a talent that enables him to come to care for Angelo even before Angelo exhibits the charming characteristics (speaking adorably, sucking his thumb, smiling) that cause the other soldiers to fall in love with him later in the novel. Train has the capacity to love even the things that are difficult to love.

Train is infrequently bothered by the mistreatment he receives from white people, which he frames as merely an unchangeable fact of life. Though illiterate, Train has memorized Biblical passages and possesses a strong sense of religious devotion.