My Name is Emilia del Valle Character Analysis

Emilia del Valle

Emilia del Valle Claro is the daughter of Molly Walsh and Gonzalo Andrés del Valle. Del Valle abandons her before her birth, and she and raised by her mother and loving stepfather, don Pancho… read analysis of Emilia del Valle

Eric Whelan

Eric Whelan is Emilia’s colleague at The Daily Examiner, where he is Mr. Chamberlain’s star reporter. An Irish immigrant who came to America with his brother Owen, Eric headed west to… read analysis of Eric Whelan

Molly Walsh

Molly Walsh Claro is the mother of Emilia del Valle by Gonzalo Andrés del Valle and the wife of Francisco Claro, familiarly known to his friends and relatives as don Pancho. The youngest child… read analysis of Molly Walsh

Captain Janus

Captain Janus is a Chilean of Dutch extraction who makes a living carrying passengers along the coast of Chile in his schooner the Niña Juanita. Claiming to be descended from pirates who settled in… read analysis of Captain Janus

Rodolfo León

Rodolfo León is a historical character. A former doctor and soldier who later becomes a journalist, León is also ideologically committed to the Liberal Party and thus to the policies and person of President Balmaceda… read analysis of Rodolfo León

Don Pancho (Francisco Claro)

Known to everyone as don Pancho (and to Emilia as Papo), Francisco Claro is a Mexican immigrant who runs a small school in San Francisco’s Mission District. He’s also the husband of Molly Walsh… read analysis of Don Pancho (Francisco Claro)

Gonzalo Andrés del Valle

Gonzalo Andrés del Valle is the Chilean landholder who seduced Molly Walsh and fathered Emilia del Valle. Gonzalo Andrés was the only son of his father and was thus placed in charge of the… read analysis of Gonzalo Andrés del Valle

Angelita Ayalef

Angelita Ayalef is an Mapuche woman and the leader of a detachment of canteen girls supporting the Chilean Army in the Battle of Concón. She joined the canteen girls during the War of the Pacific… read analysis of Angelita Ayalef

President José Manuel Balmaceda

José Manuel Balmaceda is a historical figure; he was the president of Chile at the start of the Chilean Civil War of 1891. A member of the wealthy aristocracy in the country, Balmaceda becomes president… read analysis of President José Manuel Balmaceda

Paulina del Valle

Paulina del Valle is the aunt of Gonzalo Andrés del Valle, the great-aunt of Emilia del Valle, and the wife of Frederick Williams. A strong-willed and intelligent woman, she amassed a fortune… read analysis of Paulina del Valle

Mr. Amador Troncoso

Amador Troncoso is a livery driver in the city of Iquique who takes Emilia del Valle to tour one of Chile’s nitrate mining operations. Like many Chileans, Troncoso is well-educated and politically literate. He was… read analysis of Mr. Amador Troncoso

Owen Whelan

Owen Whelan is the older brother of Eric Whelan and the one-time lover of Emilia del Valle. He and Emilia meet when Eric sends him a gift by way of Emilia, who has traveled… read analysis of Owen Whelan

Rufina

Rufina is a mixed-race Chilean woman who works as a maid in the Argentinean Embassy. When Gonzalo Andrés del Valle seeks asylum there, she is assigned to care for him. She and Emilia thus meet… read analysis of Rufina

Omene

Omene is a historical character. She was an American performer of the late 19th century. A belly dancer who puts on shows in vaudeville houses across the country, Omene scandalizes people with her scanty costume… read analysis of Omene

Frederick Williams

Frederik Williams is the English butler-turned-second-husband of Paulina del Valle. A handsome, jovial, and kindly man, he balances out many of his wife’s extravagances, although he shares a strong mischievous streak with her. He… read analysis of Frederick Williams

Father Restrepo

Father Restrepo is a firebrand Roman Catholic priest whose sermons on the agonies of hell are mean to inspire religious fervor among the ruling classes in the Chilean capital of Santiago. Restrepo serves as an… read analysis of Father Restrepo

Mr. Chamberlain

Mr. Chamberlain is the editor in chief of The Daily Examiner, a San Francisco newspaper owned by William Randolf Hearst. He hires Emilia del Valle as a columnist (although he won’t publish her under… read analysis of Mr. Chamberlain

General Barbosa

General Orozimbo Barbosa is a historical military leader who led the government’s troops during the Chilean Civil War of 1891. Emilia del Valle first glimpses him at the presidential palace and later, thanks to the… read analysis of General Barbosa

Sara León

Sara is the wife of Rodolfo León and the friend of Emilia del Valle. Like Emilia and many other women from Valparaíso, she volunteers at the hospital under the supervision of Sister Gerda during… read analysis of Sara León

Patrick Egan

Patrick Egan is a historical character. Born and raised in Ireland, Egan immigrated to the United States as an adult, where he eventually became involved in American politics. He served as the Ambassador to Chile—where… read analysis of Patrick Egan

Minor Characters

Sister Gerda

Sister Gerda is the German nun who oversees the volunteers helping in the Valparaíso during the Battle of Placilla, including Dr. Whitaker, Sara León, and Emilia del Valle.

Dr. Whitaker

Dr. Whitaker is a British surgeon who happens to be in Valparaíso during the Battle of Placilla. He is one of many volunteers who help care for soldiers wounded in that action, alongside Emilia del Valle.

Josefa Palomar

Josefa Palomar is a neighbor of the Claro family whose inside information on the Arnold Cole case (she was his maid) helps Emilia to find a fresh angle on the case.

Sheriff Gard

Sheriff Guard is the government official tasked with preventing the Chilean insurgents from loading their shipment of weapons onto the Itata. He grants Emilia del Valle an interview in which he arrogantly emphasizes his law enforcement acumen, yet he is foiled in this endeavor by his adversaries’ cleverness.

Arnold Cole

Arnold Cole is a California politician transplanted from Delaware who married into wealth. His murder is the big story at the time when Emilia del Valle joins The Daily Examiner, and she earns her job writing about it.

My Name is Emilia del Valle Characters