Sam Tate Character Analysis in Blood Meridian

A member of Glanton’s gang, from Kentucky. Along with Tobin and other gang members, Tate served with McCulloch’s Rangers during the Mexican-American War. He is assigned by lottery to kill one of the four men wounded by General Elias’s army, but the kid excuses him from this bad duty. While trying to catch up with Glanton’s gang, the kid and Tate are ambushed by five of Elias’s scouts. The kid escapes, but Tate is probably captured and worse.

Sam Tate Character Timeline in Blood Meridian

The timeline below shows where the character Sam Tate appears in Blood Meridian. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...get away from him, but the magician doesn’t understand. A gang member from Kentucky called Tate (his first name is later given as Sam)—who served with Tobin and other gang members... (full context)

...him, then choose a different arrow. Nonetheless, the kid draws a red-tasseled arrow, along with Sam Tate, Webster, and Harlan (first name later given as Tommy), who are therefore assigned to... (full context)

The kid and Tate discuss who will kill whom; the kid tells Tate that he can ride out without... (full context)

The kid, as he rides to catch up with the gang, comes upon Tate, whose horse has been lamed. The kid dismounts, and together the men walk through the... (full context)