"Dear Brutus" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In the book "Dear Brutus" by J.M. Barrie, each character represents a different aspect of human nature. They are invited to a mysterious house in the woods on Midsummer Eve and given a chance to relive their lives and correct their past mistakes. Each character's role is essential in exploring the themes of regret, redemption, and the choices we make in life.

Character Descriptions

1. Lob: A mysterious old man who owns the house in the woods. He seems to possess magical powers and orchestrates the events of the play.
2. Margaret: Lob's timid and fearful wife. She is haunted by her own regrets and longs for a different life.
3. Matey: A cheerful and optimistic young man who is deeply in love with Margaret. He represents youthful innocence and hope.
4. Mrs. Coade: A middle-aged woman who is dissatisfied with her life. She is bitter and resentful, always longing for something more.
5. Joanna Trout: A young woman who is trapped in an unhappy marriage. She represents the desire for freedom and a chance to start over.
6. Alice Dearth: A young girl who is curious and adventurous. She is the daughter of Julius and Will Dearth.
7. Lady Caroline: A wealthy and privileged woman who is dissatisfied with her life. She represents the search for meaning and purpose.
8. Mr. Purdie: A middle-aged man who is haunted by his past. He represents the consequences of one's actions and the desire for redemption.
9. Julius Dearth: A successful businessman who is distant from his family. He represents the pursuit of wealth and power at the expense of personal relationships.
10. Will Dearth: Julius's son who is neglected by his father. He represents the longing for a father's love and approval.

Character Traits

1. Lob: Wise, mysterious, and enigmatic.
2. Margaret: Timid, fearful, and yearning for a different life.
3. Matey: Cheerful, optimistic, and deeply in love.
4. Mrs. Coade: Bitter, resentful, and dissatisfied.
5. Joanna Trout: Unhappy, trapped, and longing for freedom.
6. Alice Dearth: Curious, adventurous, and innocent.
7. Lady Caroline: Privileged, dissatisfied, and searching for meaning.
8. Mr. Purdie: Haunted, remorseful, and seeking redemption.
9. Julius Dearth: Successful, distant, and consumed by ambition.
10. Will Dearth: Neglected, longing for love and approval.

Character Background

1. Lob: Not much is known about Lob's background. He is portrayed as a mysterious figure with magical powers.
2. Margaret: Margaret is a timid and fearful woman who feels trapped in her marriage to Lob. She longs for a different life and regrets some of the choices she has made.
3. Matey: Matey is a young man deeply in love with Margaret. He is optimistic and hopeful, always seeing the best in people and situations.
4. Mrs. Coade: Mrs. Coade is a middle-aged woman who is dissatisfied with her life. She feels bitter and resentful, always longing for something more.
5. Joanna Trout: Joanna is a young woman trapped in an unhappy marriage. She yearns for freedom and a chance to start over.
6. Alice Dearth: Alice is a curious and adventurous young girl. She is the daughter of Julius and Will Dearth.
7. Lady Caroline: Lady Caroline is a wealthy and privileged woman who is dissatisfied with her life. She longs for meaning and purpose.
8. Mr. Purdie: Mr. Purdie is a middle-aged man haunted by his past. He is remorseful and seeks redemption for his past actions.
9. Julius Dearth: Julius is a successful businessman who is distant from his family. He is consumed by ambition and the pursuit of wealth and power.
10. Will Dearth: Will is Julius's neglected son who longs for his father's love and approval.

Character Arcs

1. Lob: Lob remains a mysterious figure throughout the book, orchestrating events and guiding the characters towards their redemption.
2. Margaret: Margaret's character arc revolves around her realization that she has the power to change her life and make different choices. She learns to overcome her fear and embrace a new beginning.
3. Matey: Matey's character arc is one of unwavering love and support for Margaret. He remains optimistic and hopeful throughout, always believing in the possibility of a better future.
4. Mrs. Coade: Mrs. Coade's character arc explores her bitterness and dissatisfaction with life. She eventually learns to let go of her resentments and find contentment in the present.
5. Joanna Trout: Joanna's character arc centers around her desire for freedom and a chance to start over. She learns to break free from her unhappy marriage and embrace a new path.
6. Alice Dearth: Alice's character arc is one of curiosity and growth. She learns valuable lessons about life and family, becoming more mature and understanding.
7. Lady Caroline: Lady Caroline's character arc revolves around her search for meaning and purpose. She discovers that true fulfillment comes from within and not from external circumstances.
8. Mr. Purdie: Mr. Purdie's character arc focuses on his journey towards redemption and forgiveness. He confronts his past mistakes and seeks to make amends.
9. Julius Dearth: Julius's character arc explores the consequences of his ambition and neglect of his family. He realizes the importance of love and connection, leading to a transformation in his priorities.
10. Will Dearth: Will's character arc revolves around his longing for his father's love and approval. He learns to find his own path and define his self-worth.

Relationships

1. Lob and Margaret: Lob is Margaret's husband, but their relationship is strained. Lob's mysterious nature and Margaret's longing for a different life create tension between them.
2. Margaret and Matey: Margaret and Matey share a deep love for each other. Matey's unwavering support and optimism provide comfort to Margaret.
3. Mrs. Coade and Joanna Trout: Mrs. Coade and Joanna share a friendship based on their mutual dissatisfaction with their lives. They find solace in each other's company.
4. Alice Dearth and Lady Caroline: Alice and Lady Caroline develop a close bond throughout the book. Lady Caroline becomes a mentor and guide for Alice, teaching her valuable life lessons.
5. Mr. Purdie and Julius Dearth: Mr. Purdie and Julius have a complicated relationship based on their shared past. Mr. Purdie seeks redemption from Julius, who must confront his own actions.
6. Will Dearth and Julius Dearth: Will longs for his father's love and approval but feels neglected by him. Their relationship is strained, but there is hope for reconciliation.

Conclusion

In "Dear Brutus" by J.M. Barrie, each character represents a different aspect of human nature and plays a vital role in exploring the themes of regret, redemption, and the choices we make in life. Through their individual character arcs and relationships, the characters embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation. The book serves as a reminder that it is never too late to change, to seek forgiveness, and to find redemption.