Parable of the Sower

by

Octavia E. Butler

Emery Tanaka Solis Character Analysis

Emery is a 23-year-old woman who joins Lauren’s group on the road. She is half African-American, half Japanese, and was formerly married to a Mexican man, with whom she has three children: Tori and two unnamed boys. The family lived in debt slavery, and one day Emery’s sons were taken away—presumably sold into prostitution. Like Lauren, Emery and Tori have hyperempathy, and are extremely skittish based on their traumatic past. Emery becomes close to Grayson, who was also formerly enslaved.
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Emery Tanaka Solis Character Timeline in Parable of the Sower

The timeline below shows where the character Emery Tanaka Solis appears in Parable of the Sower. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 23
Inclusion vs. Exclusion Theme Icon
...but eventually promises to do better next time. Lauren learns that the woman’s name is Emery Tanaka Solis; she is 23, half-black and half-Japanese, and formerly married to an older, Mexican... (full context)
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Emery says that she and her husband had two sons in addition to Tori. The family... (full context)
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Creation, Destruction, and Rebirth Theme Icon
...join the group. Tori had befriended Doe, “pulling their parents together.” Grayson appears to like Emery, but dislikes the group overall. Lauren is suspicious of him. She believes that he and... (full context)
Chapter 24
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...discussing Earthseed. They are in a state of shock, exhaustion, and mourning. The previous Tuesday, Emery took Tori and Doe to pee in the bushes while the rest of the group... (full context)
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...Bankole won’t let it get infected. Zahra points out that there was “something funny” about Emery, Tori, Grayson, and Doe; at that moment, Lauren realizes that they all have hyperempathy. Grayson... (full context)
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...Justin, carrying him as the group continues their walk. Later, Lauren discusses the incident with Emery and Bankole. Emery warns that the addicts will keep burning things until they use all... (full context)
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Creation, Destruction, and Rebirth Theme Icon
...Lauren is careful to hide the fact that her wound is hurting, knowing that Grayson, Emery, and their children would feel her pain if she let on. The adults put the... (full context)
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...to shoot, which angers him. The next morning, the group passes a woman’s corpse, which Emery strips in order to wear her clothes. Emery also finds cash in the woman’s boots—the... (full context)
Chapter 25
Inclusion vs. Exclusion Theme Icon
Creation, Destruction, and Rebirth Theme Icon
...“rest of the world” is heading north, and thus land cannot possibly be cheap there. Emery suggests that Harry could get a job as a (slave) “driver,” noting that there are... (full context)