# Edward Thornton — A High Wind in Jamaica character guide > Edward Thornton in A High Wind in Jamaica by Richard Hughes. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Edward **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A boy who hangs by his knees from the cross-trees for the blood-rush and discovers that invented heroics are even better than real ones. ## Who they are Edward treats the pirate ship as a playground, rehearsing galley-stormings with Harry and swathing himself in the flying-jib for hide-and-seek. When adults come asking for tales of bloodshed, he sees at once what they want and supplies it, backed by Harry and unchallenged by Rachel. His eager, self-convinced storytelling becomes the narrative the grown-ups prefer to Emily's silence. ## Relationships ### [Emily Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/emily_thornton) _family_ Edward is Emily's older brother, and their relationship is marked by sibling rivalry and Edward's protective yet frustrated attempts to manage her. ### [Captain Jonsen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/captain_jonsen) _psychological_ Captain Jonsen views Edward as a troublesome older child captive, their interactions tinged with mutual suspicion and tension. ### [Margaret Fernandez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/margaret_fernandez) _friendship_ Edward and Margaret share a mild childhood friendship, with Edward often acting protectively toward her. ### [Young Henry Marpole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/young_henry_marpole) _friendship_ Edward and Young Henry are fellow child passengers who bond over shared experiences and boyish camaraderie. ### [Emily Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/emily_thornton) _family_ Edward is Emily's older brother, and their relationship is marked by sibling rivalry and Edward's protective yet frustrated attempts to manage her. ### [Captain Jonsen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/captain_jonsen) _psychological_ Captain Jonsen views Edward as a troublesome older child captive, their interactions tinged with mutual suspicion and tension. ### [Margaret Fernandez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/margaret_fernandez) _friendship_ Edward and Margaret share a mild childhood friendship, with Edward often acting protectively toward her. ### [Captain Jonsen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/captain_jonsen) _psychological_ Captain Jonsen views Edward as a troublesome older child captive, their interactions tinged with mutual suspicion and tension. ### [Emily Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/emily_thornton) _family_ Edward is Emily's older brother, and their relationship is marked by sibling rivalry and Edward's protective yet frustrated attempts to manage her. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as one of the 'Liddlies' under the rule of Emily's mouse oracle. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Too small for a long walk, remains at the bathing-hole. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iv) Present in the family group; mentioned among the children in the cellar. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Mr. Thornton is a practical but frustrated father who leads the rebuilding of Ferndale and reluctantly agrees to send the children away, fearing they will become 'ordinary little mugs' in English schools. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Frederic, who is silent on the journey, sharing a strong common emotion with his wife. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Mouse-coloured and mousy but pleasing; one of the smaller Thorntons. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iv) Edward is more accepting of the pirate life, showing curiosity about the ship and crew. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Drawn to the magistrate's wife and kissed by her; feels trapped and dejected. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Timid at the stairs; calls out to Emily in his sleep about 'cow-catching.' ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/v) Receives his first order at sea from Captain Jonsen, fetching his boots during the squall; eager to learn the three Sovereign Rules of Life. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Shouts for Emily to come and play, part of the group of children engaged in play on the deck. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Helps bandage Captain Jonsen's thumb after Emily bites it. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Suggests asking the captors directly, but is swayed by Emily's reasoning and the oracle's answer. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Edward rehearses pirate battles with Harry, chanting 'I am armed with a sword and a pistol!' ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Steals Jonsen's slipper and climbs the rigging to escape punishment, showing uncharacteristic defiance. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iv) Edward cheers the chase between Emily and Rachel, but refuses to join the laughter game. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) After washing and combing looks like a little gentleman; eagerly embellishes violent pirate tales for the passengers. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Mr. Thornton takes Margaret Fernandez aside to find a cab, showing kindness and sanity amid the chaos. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Edward now recounts his deeds as acts of defiance against the pirates, receiving admiration with little skepticism. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iv) Edward contributes dramatic, violent fantasies ('Bing! Bang! Bong!') and imitations, disrupting the interview. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/v) Discusses legal strategy with Mathias, expresses skepticism about the children's reliability and their affection for the pirates. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/vi) Edward Thornton watches Emily from the shadows, feeling both pity and fear. He is present at the trial and lifts her out of the witness box. Afterward, he is disturbed by her apparent innocence and avoids touching her. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/viii) Mr. Thornton accompanies Emily to the school and stays for tea. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/edward_thornton - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters