This Other Eden

Content Warning: This guide includes depictions of racism, discrimination, forced eviction, eugenics, nonconsensual relationships, and rape.

Esther Honey is the protagonist of This Other Eden, and her experiences are essential to fully understanding life on the island. She is the oldest of the islanders, and her past influences her worldview, impacting her relationship with those from the mainland, like Matthew Diamond, whom she has a deep distrust of. This grows from a greater distrust of white men, as the white men in her past, and her ancestors’ pasts, have sought to abuse and control her and her family.

Despite her important role in the novel, Esther is a static character, and her values do not change throughout the novel. Even important events like Ethan’s departure are met with knowing resolve by Esther, who can see the reasons behind his selection and the likely outcome of his time away. Esther’s static nature serves as a balancing element to the text, as she represents the past of the island and the wisdom of her ancestors.