# Dramatis Personae explained — Exiles

> Chapter companion for Exiles by James Joyce.

## What happens

This chapter introduces the main characters and setting of the play: Richard Rowan, a writer; Bertha; their son Archie; Robert Hand, a journalist; Beatrice Justice, his cousin and a music teacher; Brigid, an old servant; and a fishwoman. The action takes place in the Dublin suburbs of Merrion and Ranelagh during the summer of 1912.

## Character check-ins

### Richard Rowan

Introduced as a writer, the central male figure.

### Bertha Rowan

Introduced as Richard's partner and mother of Archie.

### Archie Rowan

Introduced as the eight-year-old son of Richard and Bertha.

### Robert Hand

Introduced as a journalist.

### Beatrice Justice

Introduced as Robert's cousin and a music teacher.

## Key lines

> Dramatis Personae Richard Rowan, a writer Bertha Archie, their son, aged eight years Robert Hand, journalist Beatrice Justice, his cousin, music teacher Brigid, an old servant of the Rowan family A Fishwoman At Merrion and Ranelagh, suburbs of Dublin. Summer of the year 1912.

The cast of characters includes Richard Rowan, a writer; Bertha; their eight-year-old son Archie; Robert Hand, a journalist; his cousin Beatrice Justice, a music teacher; Brigid, the Rowan family's longtime servant; and a fishwoman. The play is set in the Dublin suburbs of Merrion and Ranelagh during the summer of 1912.

_This opening establishes the dramatis personae and setting for the play._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/exiles_se/chapters/dramatis-personae
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/exiles_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/exiles_se/chapters