Noel Crowe is the story’s protagonist and narrator. He is a 17-year-old boy whose experiences provide the primary lens through which the story unfolds. Noe is characterized by his introspection and observant nature. He is depicted as having a thin build and delicate features. Noe always carries his fiddle with him, an act that serves as a symbolic representation of his constant connection to music and Irish tradition. Thus, his fiddle serves as a symbol of his bond with tradition and the past. Noe’s love for music also serves to underscore the transformative power of art, echoing the broader theme of transformation that runs throughout the novel.

Accordingly, Noe’s character transforms considerably as he navigates his own coming-of-age journey. He learns valuable life lessons, discovers the complexities of love, forgiveness, and death, and develops a deeper understanding of the world around him. Furthermore, Noe’s coming-of-age journey is intrinsically tied to his grappling with life’s complexities and contradictions. He begins the story as a young man riddled with guilt over his decision to leave the seminary, and as the novel progresses, he reconciles his inner conflict over his past choices, coming to terms with his mother’s death and growing into a character full of empathy and understanding.