# Matthew Towns — Dark Princess character guide

> Matthew Towns in Dark Princess by W. E. B. Du Bois.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Matthew, Towns, Mr. Towns, Dr. Matthew Towns, Monsieur Towns

**First appearance:** 0001-dark-princess

## Snapshot

A brilliant Black medical student driven into exile by American racism, he becomes a restless seeker torn between ambition, love, and the world's darker struggles.

## Who they are

Matthew Towns walks out of the University of Manhattan with his honors flung in a dean's face, his medical career destroyed by the color line, and boards a ship toward Berlin. He is proud, quick to fury, and hungry for a purpose large enough to absorb his grief. His voyage outward sets the novel's central question: what will a gifted, wounded man do with his freedom?

## Relationships

### [Sammy Scott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/sammy_scott)

_friendship_

Matthew Towns and Sammy Scott share a close friendship and alliance, often working together toward common goals.

### [Sara Andrews](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/sara_andrews)

_romantic_

Matthew Towns and Sara Andrews have a romantic relationship marked by deep emotional connection and tension.

### [Kautilya](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/kautilya)

_romantic_

Kautilya and Matthew Towns share a passionate romantic relationship, with Kautilya often serving as a muse and intellectual partner.

### [The Japanese](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/the_japanese)

_social_

Matthew Towns and The Japanese have a social acquaintance, likely within the context of international or political gatherings.

### [Jimmie Giles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/jimmie_giles)

_friendship_

Jimmie Giles and Matthew Towns are friends and allies, supporting each other in personal and political struggles.

### [Maharanee of Bwodpur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/maharanee_of_bwodpur)

_social_

The Maharanee of Bwodpur and Matthew Towns have a social acquaintance, likely within aristocratic or political circles.

### [Sara Andrews](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/sara_andrews)

_romantic_

Matthew Towns and Sara Andrews have a romantic relationship marked by deep emotional connection and tension.

### [Sara Andrews](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/sara_andrews)

_romantic_

Matthew Towns and Sara Andrews have a romantic relationship marked by deep emotional connection and tension.

### [Sammy Scott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/sammy_scott)

_friendship_

Matthew Towns and Sammy Scott share a close friendship and alliance, often working together toward common goals.

### [The Japanese](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/the_japanese)

_social_

Matthew Towns and The Japanese have a social acquaintance, likely within the context of international or political gatherings.

### [Kautilya](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/kautilya)

_romantic_

Kautilya and Matthew Towns share a passionate romantic relationship, with Kautilya often serving as a muse and intellectual partner.

### [Sammy Scott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/sammy_scott)

_friendship_

Matthew Towns and Sammy Scott share a close friendship and alliance, often working together toward common goals.

## In the story

### [Dark Princess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/chapters/dark-princess)

A gifted Black medical student who is expelled from school due to racism, leading him to flee to Europe.

### [Part I: The Exile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/chapters/part-i-the-exile)

Matthew is the protagonist, an African American exile in Berlin who feels the sting of racial prejudice even among the darker peoples. He defends Princess Kautilya and engages in deep discussions about race and oppression.

### [Part III: The Chicago Politician](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/chapters/part-iii-the-chicago-politician)

Marries Sara, becomes a state legislator, and later a congressional candidate; struggles with the moral cost of political power and is haunted by Kautilya's influence.

### [Part IV: The Maharajah of Bwodpur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/chapters/part-iv-the-maharajah-of-bwodpur)

Matthew is deeply in love with Kautilya, but struggles with the impossibility of their idyllic life and the pain of their parting. He is left in despair, questioning his worth and their relationship.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/matthew_towns
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters