Salt to the Sea

Salt to the Sea

by

Ruta Sepetys

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Salt to the Sea makes teaching easy.

Salt to the Sea: 106. Emilia Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Emilia wakes up. Joana tries to get her to move around a little bit, but she resists. Joana finally understands what happened to Emilia, and Emilia sees that Joana looks at her differently. Joana takes Emilia’s hands and tells Emilia what she has been waiting to hear, the words she thinks her “Mama would say […] if she could.” Joana tells Emilia she’s so sorry for what happened to her. 
Emilia has carried immense shame and guilt as a result of her rape. She worried that revealing this part of her past would change how others viewed her. However, Joana understands that Emilia is a blameless victim of sexual violence. Joana still cares for and respects Emilia, and treats her with additional kindness now that she understands the trauma Emilia has endured.
Themes
Storytelling and Fantasy  Theme Icon
Memory and Survival  Theme Icon
Family and Community vs. Selfishness  Theme Icon