The Lincoln Highway Character Analysis

Emmett Watson

Emmett Watson is an 18-year-old young man who, at the start of the story, finishes his sentence at the juvenile work camp Salina. He was sent to Salina after accidentally killing another boy, Jimmy Snyder… read analysis of Emmett Watson

Duchess Hewett

Duchess Hewett is Emmett’s friend from Salina who (along with Woolly) hitches a ride in the Warden Williams’s car when the warden brings Emmett home. Duchess is innocent of the crime that… read analysis of Duchess Hewett

Billy Watson

Billy Watson is Emmett’s 8-year-old brother. After the death of the brothers’ father Charlie, Billy becomes dependent on Emmett, forcing Emmett to grow up quickly and assume the responsibilities of an adult. For… read analysis of Billy Watson

Woolly Wolcott

Woolly Wolcott is one of Emmett’s friends from Salina. He comes from a wealthy family, but he has been disinherited since his relatives consider him “temperamentally unfit” to receive his trust fund. Woolly struggles… read analysis of Woolly Wolcott

Sally Ransom

Sally Ransom is a family friend and neighbor of the Watsons’. She looked after Billy while Emmett was in Salina, and watches him throughout the story when Emmett needs to leave him behind. When they… read analysis of Sally Ransom

Ulysses

Ulysses is a Black man who has been riding the rails for eight years without stopping. His wife left him and took their son after Ulysses joined the military, so he returned from World War… read analysis of Ulysses

Pastor John

Pastor John is a criminal who attacks Billy on the train to New York. He is not ordained, but he calls himself a pastor because he believes fervently in a warped, self-serving version of Christianity… read analysis of Pastor John

Townhouse

Townhouse is a former inmate at Salina who worked alongside Emmett, Duchess, and Woolly. Townhouse is a young Black man and suffered racist abuse at Salina, which Duchess feels partly responsible for… read analysis of Townhouse

Sarah Whitney

Sarah Whitney is Woolly’s sister and the member of his family he most cares for. She is better able to understand the way he thinks than most other characters, and she tries to empathize… read analysis of Sarah Whitney

Professor Abacus Abernathe

Professor Abacus Abernathe is the author of Billy’s favorite book, Professor Abacus Abernathe’s Compendium of Heroes, Adventurers, and Other Intrepid Travelers. The book’s stories of heroes from history and legend inspire Billy to… read analysis of Professor Abacus Abernathe

Charlie Watson

Charlie Watson is the father of Billy and Emmett, whose death shortly before the start of the story prompts Emmett’s early release from Salina. Charlie left behind a sizable inheritance from his wealthy family… read analysis of Charlie Watson

Billy and Emmett’s Mother

Billy and Emmett’s mother left them and their father Charlie before the start of the story. Emmett remembers her as a deeply unhappy woman. On an Independence Day in Emmett’s youth, Billy and Emmett’s… read analysis of Billy and Emmett’s Mother

Harrison Hewett

Harrison Hewett is Duchess’s neglectful father. As both a Shakespearean actor and a con man, Mr. Hewett teaches Duchess how to manipulate an audience. Mr. Hewett displays little regard for his own son; he… read analysis of Harrison Hewett

Jimmy Snyder

Before the events of the book, Emmett accidentally kills Jimmy Snyder in a fight, leading to Emmett’s incarceration at Salina. Flashbacks reveal that Jimmy was a cruel bully, but Emmett nevertheless sincerely regrets his death… read analysis of Jimmy Snyder

Sister Agnes

Sister Agnes is one of the nuns who raised Duchess after his father Mr. Hewett abandoned him at an orphanage. She teaches a young Duchess about atonement and guilt, which fosters his later obsession with… read analysis of Sister Agnes

Warden Ackerly

Warden Ackerly is the former warden of Salina. During his time as warden, he imposed strict and racist rules, including frequent corporal punishment. When Duchess escapes Salina, he tracks down Ackerly to settle the debt… read analysis of Warden Ackerly

Patrick “Fitzy” FitzWilliams

Fitzy is an old friend of Harrison Hewett whom Duchess tracks down while searching for his father. Like Mr. Hewett, Fitzy is a “has-been” performer and an alcoholic. He lacks Mr. Hewett’s apathy, however; Fitzy… read analysis of Patrick “Fitzy” FitzWilliams

Mr. Ransom

Mr. Ransom is Sally’s father, who depends on her for all his housework. He resents Sally’s willfulness and expects her to tend his house for the rest of her life. He buys the Watson… read analysis of Mr. Ransom

Marceline Maupassant

Marceline Maupassant is a former clown whom Duchess befriends in his backstory. Marceline lost everything in the stock market crash of 1929, and he struggles with depression throughout his friendship with Duchess, which ultimately culminates… read analysis of Marceline Maupassant

Minor Characters

Jake Snyder

Jake Snyder is the brother of Jimmy Snyder, whom Emmett accidentally killed. When Emmett returns to Morgen, Nebraska, Jake and his friend the cowboy attack Emmett on the street. Emmett controls his temper and doesn’t fight back throughout the beating.

Ma Belle

Ma Belle is the proprietor of the lounge where Duchess lures Emmett, as well as the madame of the brothel that operates within. She helps Emmett after Duchess drugs him and locks him in a room with one of the brothel’s sex workers.

Warden Williams

Warden Williams is the new warden at Salina. He is kinder and more reasonable than his predecessor, Warden Ackerly, and he gives Emmett a ride home from Salina after Emmett finishes his sentence.

Dennis Whitney

Dennis is Sarah’s husband and Woolly’s brother-in-law. His marriage to Sarah is implied to be an unhappy one, and he is frequently frustrated by Woolly. Woolly dislikes Dennis in turn, regarding Dennis as a symbol of the monotony of upper-middle-class life.

The Cowboy

The cowboy helps Jake Snyder attack Emmett upon Emmett’s return to Morgen. As revenge, Duchess brutally beats the cowboy, which sparks Duchess’s desire to settle his debts with those who have wronged him.