Malthace, also known as Thacia or Thace, is
Joel's sister and the leading female figure in Elizabeth Speare's novel .
Thacia is portrayed as a beautiful, intelligent, intense young girl, who caters to the needs of
others and correctly interprets the verse regarding what it takes to bend the bronze bow. Like
her brother and Daniel, Malthace anticipates the coming of the Messiah but chooses to wait
patiently for Him instead of resorting to violence against the Romans.
After
initially shunning Daniel, Thacia dresses his wounds after he is injured by a Roman soldier,
hides him in their home, and nurses him back to health. She also comes up with a plan for Joel
to learn the names of the rich guests attending the banquet, dresses up as Joel so that he has
an alibi, and carries a heavy load on her back for a mile while Roman soldiers watch her
closely. Thacia is also a positive influence on Daniel's sister, Leah, and she goes out of her
way to spend time with the shy, traumatized girl. In addition to her compassion and strength,
Thacia also has faith in Jesus and proves to Daniel that only love can bend the bronze
bow.
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