# Robert Hand — Exiles character guide

> Robert Hand in Exiles by James Joyce.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Robert Lightly, Robert Bowing, Robert Grimly, Robert Cautiously, Robert Archly, Robert Brooding, Robert Bewildered, Robert Passion, Robert Friends, Robert Sighs, Robert Tenderly, Robert Those, Robert Little Bertha, Robert Conditions, Robert Slightly wounded, Robert Nodding, Mr. Hand

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

## Snapshot

A journalist and Richard's oldest friend, he loves Bertha openly and argues that desire is nature's law, even as he writes the article that crowns Richard's return.

## Who they are

Robert Hand tells Richard to his face that he loves Bertha and would take her however he can, then confesses he was drawn to her partly because she belongs to a stronger man. He is charming, self-aware, and helpless before his own contradictions: he can write a hero's tribute and pack a valise in the same night. His pursuit forces Richard's abstract creed about free love into a test no one, including Robert, is sure he wants to pass.

## Relationships

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

_psychological_

A complex, obsessive intellectual and emotional rivalry where Richard manipulates and tests Robert's loyalty and desire for Bertha.

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

_romantic_

Bertha is caught between her past romantic attraction to Robert and her loyalty to Richard, creating a tense love triangle.

### [Beatrice Justice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/exiles_se/characters/beatrice_justice)

_social_

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

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

_social_

A casual, polite relationship; Archie sees Robert as a family friend.

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

_professional_

Servant and guest; Brigid serves Robert when he visits the Rowan household.

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

_social_

A polite, distant acquaintance through family connections.

## In the story

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

Introduced as a journalist.

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

Richard's friend, who harbors feelings for Bertha and engages in debates about love and possession.

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

Arrives with roses for Bertha, reveals his deep liking for her, engages in tense interactions.

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

Declares his love for Bertha, challenges Richard to a duel of souls, and later confesses his feelings to Bertha, struggling with guilt and desire.

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

Writes a newspaper article about Richard as a returning exile, arrives at the house after being summoned by Bertha.

## Links

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