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
...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...
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Chapter 9. Lessons—Painful and Otherwise
...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...
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Then, the red-haired sailor takes something out of a pouch around his neck and offers it to Amari: it’s...
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The red-haired sailor teaches Amari a number of simple words and phrases. Knowing that the language is powerful,...
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Chapter 10. The Middle Passage
...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...
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Chapter 11. Land Ho
...and trees, but it will be very different. Both women admit they’re afraid. Amari hears Bill shout, “Land ho!” She’s terrified.
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Chapter 13. The Slave Auction
As Bill helps Amari into a small boat the next day, he mumbles for her to be...
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