In A Thief of Time, Tony Hillerman's characters display perspectives from diverse cultural backgrounds. In Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn, we see a common heritage, as well as their contrasting viewpoints that arise from choosing different values ​​by which to live. Many characters in Hillerman's book, who are not of Navajo blood, connect to Navajo culture through digging, collecting, and personal gain. This essay will briefly discuss the points of view of three characters; Jim Chee, Joe Leaphorn and Richard DuMont. In these three, we can see a variety of angles and cultural values ​​through their interactions with a single interface, death. The differences between Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn are stark throughout the book. The two characters symbolize divergent paths resulting from a corresponding kinship. Both characters are aware of the tribal rituals of their ancestors regarding dealing with death. In Chee, we see the perspective of someone who wholeheartedly immerses himself in a set of cultural beliefs. "Jim Chee was a modern man built on Navajo tradition. It was just too much death. Too many deranged ghosts... He just wanted to be away from here. In the cleansing heat of a sweat bath. To be surrounded by healing, healing. the sounds of a ceremonial Ghostway,”(96). By recognizing the fear of the "Chindi", he is able to draw substance from his Navajo roots in order to face it. "He crouched, singing the songs of the sweat baths that the holy people had taught. Care of bones and Buicks disappeared into the warm darkness" (117). His close connection with a culture allows him to free himself from the fear of death. Chee and Leaphorn's contrasting perspectives arise from the values ​​they hold...... middle of paper ......hief of Time successfully uses death as a symbol in order to express how different cultural connections engender perspectives different. Although produced from a single root, the differences between Leaphorn and Chee are shown in black and white. Because they have chosen to live according to opposing values, their choices in the face of loss are drastic. Joe Leaphorn ignores Navajo rituals, while Jim Chee immerses himself in them. The choices of these characters illuminate how our values ​​as people determine our ability to handle situations successfully. The third character, Richard DuMont, shows how a person can ignore the pain and loss of others. Its disconnected relationship with true emotion inhibits the possibility of feeling anything real. The different viewpoints presented in Hillerman's book parallel the different choices and their outcomes of modern society...