Why was Tom nicknamed 'Jesus Meek' in prison?

• A. He opened a Christmas card from Gramma that had the line 'Jesus meek and Jesus mild' in front of other inmates
• B. The guards gave him a nickname due to his calm demeanor
• C. He prayed quietly every night
• D. He refused to eat his meals

Answer: (A)

Tom earns the nickname from a real-life moment in prison when a Christmas card from his Gramma is read aloud in front of the other inmates, and it bears the line “Jesus meek and Jesus mild.” His calm, restrained, unassuming demeanor in that tense setting makes the line feel apt to them, so they coin the nickname “Jesus Meek.” This explanation fits best because it points to the exact incident and line that sparked the nickname, rather than attributing it to unrelated actions. The moment also highlights a recurring theme in the story: quiet strength and dignity under hardship, conveyed through religious imagery.