Blood is thicker than water is a phrase that runs true for Emmaline Roke of Linda Holeman’s Search of the Moon King’s Daughter. An adolescent, lower-class girl growing up in the 18th century, the world seems to work against her when her brother is sold as a climbing boy by her mother to fuel her addiction. The courageous, self-sacrificing, and tenacious Emmaline leaves alone for London in search for her brother, Tommy. Despite the odds stacking up against her, Emmaline is able to work through them and prove herself a hero.
The basis of every hero is a courageous mindset. Emmaline demonstrates this by willingly leaving to London on her own. Even being told early on by a London woman that “‘this isn’t a street for the likes of you’” (Holeman …show more content…
When asking her aunt for help to get to London, her aunt agrees to the proposal that Emmaline will live with her when she returns. However, she only agrees under the terms that “‘[Emmaline]’ll cut all ties with them. [She] won’t see them’” (Holeman 126), and Emmaline accepts. She sacrifices contact with her family, the only thing she has left, to look for Tommy. It would be a lonely, harrowing life to live without her family, but she puts them before herself in a heartbeat so they can live a better life. As well as her family, Emmaline is willing to give up the relationships she has forged at Thorn house to bring Tommy back to Tibbing. She is aware of this, as well of how bad the thought makes her feel when she is talking to Thomas in the garden and “something about the way he says it - And then you can leave - sends a rush of coldness through her” (Holeman 267). Emmaline further dwells on the thought, and though it is unpleasant, she remains unrelenting in her search for her brother. Giving up Thomas - an obvious romantic interest - and Sukey - a friend who she deeply cares for - will undoubtedly take an emotional toll on her, but in Emmaline’s eyes, Tommy’s safety comes before her happiness. Putting others before herself is a second nature to Emmaline, even if it results in a heavy
The basis of every hero is a courageous mindset. Emmaline demonstrates this by willingly leaving to London on her own. Even being told early on by a London woman that “‘this isn’t a street for the likes of you’” (Holeman …show more content…
When asking her aunt for help to get to London, her aunt agrees to the proposal that Emmaline will live with her when she returns. However, she only agrees under the terms that “‘[Emmaline]’ll cut all ties with them. [She] won’t see them’” (Holeman 126), and Emmaline accepts. She sacrifices contact with her family, the only thing she has left, to look for Tommy. It would be a lonely, harrowing life to live without her family, but she puts them before herself in a heartbeat so they can live a better life. As well as her family, Emmaline is willing to give up the relationships she has forged at Thorn house to bring Tommy back to Tibbing. She is aware of this, as well of how bad the thought makes her feel when she is talking to Thomas in the garden and “something about the way he says it - And then you can leave - sends a rush of coldness through her” (Holeman 267). Emmaline further dwells on the thought, and though it is unpleasant, she remains unrelenting in her search for her brother. Giving up Thomas - an obvious romantic interest - and Sukey - a friend who she deeply cares for - will undoubtedly take an emotional toll on her, but in Emmaline’s eyes, Tommy’s safety comes before her happiness. Putting others before herself is a second nature to Emmaline, even if it results in a heavy