# Beatrice Justice — Exiles character guide

> Beatrice Justice in Exiles by James Joyce.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Beatrice Mr. Rowan, Beatrice Weakly, Beatrice Shaking hands, Beatrice Smiling, Beatrice Sinks, Miss Justice, Beatty, Beatrice Has Mr. Rowan

**First appearance:** 0000-dramatis-personae

## Snapshot

A music teacher and Robert's cousin, she arrives breathless with the morning paper, carrying guilt about urging Richard home and feelings she will not name.

## Who they are

Beatrice Justice is the first to bring Bertha the news of Robert's article and the first to sense the coldness between the two men. She is a light sleeper who hears her cousin's valise and whistling, and she admits she has it on her conscience that Robert pressed Richard to return to Ireland. Precise, nervous, and quietly drawn to Richard herself, she becomes the household's most reliable witness to what the others will not say.

## Relationships

### [Richard Rowan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/exiles_se/characters/richard_rowan)

_psychological_

Beatrice is intellectually and emotionally obsessed with Richard, serving as his confidante and object of his manipulative psychological experiments.

### [Bertha Rowan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/exiles_se/characters/bertha_rowan)

_friendship_

A tense, polite friendship overshadowed by their shared connection to Richard and unspoken jealousy.

### [Archie Rowan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/exiles_se/characters/archie_rowan)

_social_

A friendly, innocent acquaintance; Archie interacts with Beatrice as a kind adult in his life.

### [Robert Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/exiles_se/characters/robert_hand)

_social_

Distant acquaintances connected through Richard, with little direct emotional engagement.

### [Mrs. Rowan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/exiles_se/characters/mrs_rowan)

_social_

A formal, respectful acquaintance, likely through family or social circles.

### [Brigid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/exiles_se/characters/brigid)

_social_

A minimal, polite interaction as visitor and servant.

## In the story

### [Dramatis Personae](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/exiles_se/chapters/dramatis-personae)

Introduced as Robert's cousin and a music teacher.

### [Exiles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/exiles_se/chapters/exiles)

A woman connected to Richard's past, involved in the emotional and artistic tensions of the group.

### [First Act](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/exiles_se/chapters/first-act)

Returns from Youghal, discusses Richard's mother and her own past with Robert, feels changed by illness.

### [Third Act](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/exiles_se/chapters/third-act)

Confronted by Bertha, admits to past love for Robert but denies current feelings, shows concern for Richard's state of mind, and reconciles with Bertha.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/exiles_se/characters/beatrice_justice
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/exiles_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/exiles_se/characters