Saint Thomas

Saint Thomas is a Danish-held tropical island sitting between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. It is home to a number of European immigrants, slaves, and natives. Primarily Danish, the island has a sizable population of Jews who have been granted religious tolerance by the Danish king. Rachel’s ancestors first came to Saint Thomas to live freely without persecution. The island is noted as being very hot during the summers, but cool and even cold during winters. It is a beautiful place, but it is too small for Rachel. Rachel longs to leave Saint Thomas, but does not do so until she is in her sixties. Camille, too, longs to escape Saint Thomas. Though he finds the island beautiful, he finds the island too small. He makes several trips away from Saint Thomas through the novel, ultimately leaving for France for good by the time he...