Copper Sun

by

Sharon Draper

The Red-Haired Sailor/Bill Character Analysis

Bill is a red-haired sailor on the ship that transports Amari and other African slaves to the English colonies. Unlike his colleagues, Bill doesn’t seem interested in raping the female captives and often busies himself doing other work on the ship when his colleagues torment the slaves. However, he understands the necessity of looking like he condones the other sailors’ behavior, so like the other sailors, he takes a Black woman to his bunk every night—but instead of raping her, he teaches her English. Because of Bill’s efforts, Amari learns enough English to know what’s going on by the time the ship arrives in the colonies.
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The Red-Haired Sailor/Bill Character Timeline in Copper Sun

The timeline below shows where the character The Red-Haired Sailor/Bill appears in Copper Sun. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 8. Toward the Edge of the World
Slavery, Dehumanization, and Resistance Theme Icon
Horror vs. Beauty Theme Icon
Memory and Storytelling Theme Icon
...the women, who barely have any clothes now, to inspect and touch them. A huge red-haired sailor watches Amari’s face. He frightens and fascinates her. When the so-called dance is over, the... (full context)
Chapter 9. Lessons—Painful and Otherwise
Slavery, Dehumanization, and Resistance Theme Icon
Gender, Race, and Power Theme Icon
...goes without a fight, while Amari tries to make herself look like a child. The red-haired sailor grabs her, though, and pulls Amari to a small room. She’s shocked to see that... (full context)
Gender, Race, and Power Theme Icon
Then, the red-haired sailor takes something out of a pouch around his neck and offers it to Amari: it’s... (full context)
Slavery, Dehumanization, and Resistance Theme Icon
Memory and Storytelling Theme Icon
The red-haired sailor teaches Amari a number of simple words and phrases. Knowing that the language is powerful,... (full context)
Chapter 10. The Middle Passage
Slavery, Dehumanization, and Resistance Theme Icon
Friendship Theme Icon
Memory and Storytelling Theme Icon
Gender, Race, and Power Theme Icon
...only respite is when the red-haired sailor rescues her. Amari learns that his name is Bill, and he teaches Amari counting and some conversational phrases. Soon, Amari realizes she can understand... (full context)
Chapter 11. Land Ho
Slavery, Dehumanization, and Resistance Theme Icon
Memory and Storytelling Theme Icon
...and trees, but it will be very different. Both women admit they’re afraid. Amari hears Bill shout, “Land ho!” She’s terrified. (full context)
Chapter 13. The Slave Auction
Slavery, Dehumanization, and Resistance Theme Icon
Gender, Race, and Power Theme Icon
As Bill helps Amari into a small boat the next day, he mumbles for her to be... (full context)