An Encounter Characters

A young, school-age boy who attends a rigorous Catholic school in Dublin, Ireland. His narration style is plain and sometimes even understated, reflecting his feelings of boredom with his dull routine and pretend adventures—as well… read analysis of The narrator

The strange old man wanders into the field where the narrator and Mahony lay down to rest. At first he seems harmless, boring the boys with his talk about his school days and the weather… read analysis of The strange old man

Mahony is one of the schoolboys that the narrator invites on his adventure across Dublin. He comes prepared for their journey with a slingshot and gets the adventure going when he decides that they ought… read analysis of Mahony

Joe Dillon is the older brother of one of the narrator’s school friends, Leo Dillon. Joe collects boys’ magazines for their stories about the Wild West. Every night after school, he leads… read analysis of Joe Dillon

At the beginning of their journey, Mahony and the narrator have a run-in with a group of “ragged girls” and “ragged boys,” poor children who may be orphans. When Mahony chases the girls with his… read analysis of The Ragged Boys and Girls

Father Butler is one of the teachers at the narrator’s Catholic school. Mahony calls Father Butler “Bunsen Burner” because he is so quick to anger. Indeed, when he catches Leo Dillon with a copy… read analysis of Father Butler

Mr and Mrs Dillon are Joe and Leo Dillon’s parents. The narrator notes that Mr and Mrs Dillon piously attend eight o’clock mass every morning—an unusual amount of religious devotion even in late-19th-century Dublin—on… read analysis of Mr and Mrs Dillon