# Emily Thornton — A High Wind in Jamaica character guide > Emily Thornton in A High Wind in Jamaica by Richard Hughes. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Emily, Laura, thin Emily, small Emily, Baby Emily, Emily Laura, poor Emily, Only Emily, little Emily, Emily Bas-Thornton, Emily Thornton **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A watchful ten-year-old who survives pirates, earthquakes, and alligators, yet measures her worth against a stewardess who has ridden trains. ## Who they are Emily drifts between Jamaica and a pirate schooner with a child's eerie adaptability, drawing pictures in the captain's cabin and hoarding her one great possession, an earthquake. Miss Dawson's gentle interrogations about bloodshed meet only her stubborn, gentle silence, while Edward's invented heroics are believed by everyone. Her private sense that time has slipped by, that she is nearly eleven and has lived nothing, makes her the story's quiet center of gravity. ## Relationships ### [Captain Jonsen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/captain_jonsen) _psychological_ Captain Jonsen is both fascinated and unnerved by Emily's detached, amoral nature, creating a dynamic of uneasy captor and enigmatic captive. ### [Rachel Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/rachel_thornton) _family_ Emily and Rachel are sisters, but Emily's coldness and Rachel's more conventional emotions create a distant, often strained sibling bond. ### [Mr. Mathias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/mr_mathias) _professional_ Mr. Mathias is a ship's officer who interacts with Emily as a passenger and later captive, maintaining a formal but wary professional distance. ### [Margaret Fernandez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/margaret_fernandez) _friendship_ Emily and Margaret are fellow child passengers who share a superficial camaraderie, though Emily's detachment prevents deep friendship. ### [Redheaded John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/redheaded_john) _social_ Redheaded John is a crew member whom Emily observes and interacts with occasionally, their relationship marked by her detached curiosity. ### [Mrs. Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/mrs_thornton) _family_ Mrs. Thornton is Emily's mother, but their relationship is emotionally distant, with Emily showing little affection or dependence. ### [Edward Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/edward_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. ### [Otto](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/otto) _social_ Emily interacts with Otto as a crew member, often with a cool, unemotional demeanor that puzzles him. ### [Miss Dawson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/miss_dawson) _professional_ Miss Dawson is a governess or chaperone to the children, and Emily treats her with polite indifference rather than warmth. ### [Young Henry Marpole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/young_henry_marpole) _social_ Young Henry Marpole is a fellow child passenger, and Emily treats him with the same cool detachment she shows most others. ### [Dutch Captain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/dutch_captain) _social_ The Dutch Captain encounters Emily briefly, their interaction limited to a formal, transactional exchange. ### [Louisa Dawson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/louisa_dawson) _social_ Louisa Dawson is another child passenger, and Emily's interactions with her are minimal and marked by indifference. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Described as imaginative and bossy, she tries to teach Little Jim to read, catches lizards, and interprets for her 'White Mouse with an Elastic Tail' oracle. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Celebrates her tenth birthday by exploring the stream and discovering a village of runaway slaves. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Exhilarated by the earthquake, she dances, rides a pony into the sea, and feels she has survived the ultimate adventure. Later, she is shocked by the Fernandez children's barefoot unconventionality. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iv) Still saturated by the earthquake, she is silent and withdrawn; later uses the storm as a distraction but is haunted by Tabby's fate. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Emily is the eldest daughter, initially excited about the journey but later overwhelmed by the reality of parting from her mother. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Recalled by Mrs. Thornton for saying 'I've got an earthquake,' confusing it with earache. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Writes a letter home describing the turtles on the ship. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Described as minute, impish, with a huge palm-leaf hat and sculptured lips; she messes around near John but does not talk. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) One of the children taken from the deck-house and transferred to the schooner; referred to as Laura in the excerpt. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) One of the children experiencing awkwardness and shyness during the supper on the schooner. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iv) Tries to maintain order among the children, telling them to go to sleep and dismissing their questions about why they are there. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iv) Emily begins to form a bond with Captain Jonsen, showing signs of adapting to life on the ship. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Curious about the 'fairies' and excited by the idea of dressing up. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Sleepy during the lantern call; wakes to Edward's anxious sleep-talking. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Emily is missing John but finds comfort in the little black pig snuffling in her armpit. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/v) Listens to the mate's story about Parson Audain and questions how a clergyman could also be a pirate. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/vi) Emily remains emotionally detached, observing the pirate crew with a cold, analytical gaze. She struggles to reconcile her new reality with her former life. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Experiences a sudden realization of her own identity, examining her body and contemplating the nature of self, God, and her place in the world. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Feels burdened by responsibility for the group; recalls biting Captain Jonsen's thumb with detached curiosity; observes Margaret's odd behavior; eventually joins the other children in play. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Dominates the discussion, invents the 'pilots' explanation, and consults the Mouse with the Elastic Tail to assert authority. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Listens attentively, trusts the oracle completely, and is satisfied with Emily's resolution. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Emily (referred to as Laura in the text) has a complex inner world, a doglike devotion to the pirate captain, and a deep fear of her own conscience. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Injured by a marlinespike, cared for by Jonsen, then later terrorized by the Dutch captain and slashes him in self-defense. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Emily is present on the schooner, initially frightened and later participating in games with the other children. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Lying in the cabin, she experiences intense self-consciousness, fears growing up, and reflects on her crime and uncertain future. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Engages in a secret imaginary conversation with John and tries to get Captain Jonsen's attention with exaggerated faces. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Falls while carrying the slipper, then rolls to the captain's feet, humming a tune, seemingly indifferent to the chaos. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iv) Emily decrees the deck is a sea, threatens Rachel with an iron 'sword', and leads the children in laughter. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iv) Laura always swims in the imaginary sea, discovers Rachel's plan to sink the ship, and later decides to keep fairies in her armpit. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/v) Playfully affectionate but oblivious to the danger, she fails to understand Jonsen's serious plea. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ix) Emily becomes more comfortable with Captain Jonsen, showing a childlike trust and even affection toward him, which contrasts with the other children's fear. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Sits up in the darkness watching Jonsen, later hops and skips on deck, and is startled when Jonsen orders her below. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Sleeps deeply in the hold, her vest rucked up; Jonsen flicks her behind and she collapses but continues sleeping. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Suffers from nightmares and faints in the closed hold; is brought on deck with the other children, dirty and insect-bitten. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Experiences a profound emotional and physical crisis, feeling revulsion toward men and a deep connection to femininity; she is given a baby alligator and agrees to lie about the pirates. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iv) Her puerile drawings remain on the cabin wall; Jonsen remembers her lying ill and helpless. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Grows and becomes popular on the steamer; forms a deep attachment to Miss Dawson but refuses to discuss her pirate past; is overwhelmed when asked to call her 'Lulu' and begins avoiding her. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Emily is overjoyed to see her mother and repeatedly shouts that she slept with an alligator. She fiercely defends her mother from Margaret Fernandez. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Emily is too old to say prayers aloud, and no one knows what she thinks about the pirates; she does not play in the mud like the younger children. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iv) Emily is the primary respondent, providing sparse and literal answers, showing resistance to adult probing. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/v) Identified as the potential key witness; Mathias intends to coach her testimony. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/vi) Emily enjoys the waxworks and outings with Mr. Mathias, but becomes sick after his questioning. She memorizes a catechism for court, testifies confidently at first, then breaks down and reveals she saw Captain Vandervoort's murder. Afterwards, she seems unaware of the significance of her testimony. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/viii) Emily is taken to her new school at Blackheath and introduced to her playmates. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/emily_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