# Rachel Thornton — A High Wind in Jamaica character guide > Rachel Thornton in A High Wind in Jamaica by Richard Hughes. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Rachel **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot The eldest Thornton, whose certainty about the pirates' wickedness supplies the moral scaffolding for her brother's most extravagant lies. ## Who they are Rachel moves through the schooner as the responsible elder sister, the one whose judgment the younger children quietly lean on. Because she knows the pirates are deadly wicked, she never contradicts Edward's tales of bloodshed, reasoning they probably happened when she wasn't looking. Her unexamined trust becomes the hinge on which the children's shared version of events turns. ## Relationships ### [Emily Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/emily_thornton) _family_ Emily and Rachel are sisters, but Emily's coldness and Rachel's more conventional emotions create a distant, often strained sibling bond. ### [Captain Jonsen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/captain_jonsen) _psychological_ Captain Jonsen sees Rachel as a more conventional, frightened child, and his interactions with her are marked by awkward pity and guilt. ### [Emily Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/emily_thornton) _family_ Emily and Rachel are sisters, but Emily's coldness and Rachel's more conventional emotions create a distant, often strained sibling bond. ### [Emily Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/emily_thornton) _family_ Emily and Rachel are sisters, but Emily's coldness and Rachel's more conventional emotions create a distant, often strained sibling bond. ### [Captain Jonsen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/captain_jonsen) _psychological_ Captain Jonsen sees Rachel as a more conventional, frightened child, and his interactions with her are marked by awkward pity and guilt. ### [Captain Jonsen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/captain_jonsen) _psychological_ Captain Jonsen sees Rachel as a more conventional, frightened child, and his interactions with her are marked by awkward pity and guilt. ## 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. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Mrs. Thornton is a psychologically-minded mother who believes she understands her children but is emotionally distant; she orchestrates the children's departure to England. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Mrs. Thornton, who chuckles and reflects on Emily's words and John's sensitivity. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Tight short gold curls and a fat pink face; one of the smaller Thorntons. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) One of the children; brightly asks a pirate about the shooting after being released from the deck-house. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iv) Teases Margaret for being scared and argues about whether it's wicked to say prayers lying down. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iv) Rachel remains cautious and protective of her siblings, struggling with the moral ambiguity of their situation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Asks to get up and later expresses envy when John is chosen to weigh goods. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/v) Admonishes Edward for his rude comment about the Bishop. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/vi) Rachel is more adaptable than Emily, finding small comforts in the shipboard routine. She tries to maintain a sense of normalcy for herself and her sister. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Tells the others not to call Emily, indicating a dismissive attitude toward her. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Disapproves of Margaret's story and later calls out the captain for being drunk. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Initially supports the pirate idea based on Margaret's information, then changes sides after Emily's explanation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Rachel is portrayed with a vivid sense of Right and Wrong, a domestic instinct to create households, and a plan to convert the pirates. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Leads a mock religious revival on deck, which ends with Jonsen spanking her. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iv) Rachel tries to sink the ship with a nail, is threatened by Emily, and later retreats to nurse her imaginary brood. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ix) Rachel remains more cautious and skeptical of the pirates, often acting as a protective older sister to Emily. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Remains obstinately plump and pink despite the squalid conditions. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Shows maternal attachment to her collected objects and introduces Harold to Emily; she is distressed at leaving the schooner. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Throws over Harold to focus on her parthenogenesis habits, eased by real dolls; does not contradict Edward's stories. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Rachel (Miss Dawson) takes charge of the children, guiding them ashore and onto the train, and later shows a puzzled face when asked about John. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Rachel, as one of the youngest, is pitied by visitors who assume she suffered most. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iv) Rachel interjects with vivid but tangential details, such as the monkey being drunk and the mention of drawers. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/rachel_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