Beatrice Saint Fort Character Analysis in The Dew Breaker

Beatrice Saint Fort is a reclusive Haitian American bridal seamstress who lives in Queens. Back in Haiti, she was tortured by a Tonton Macoute after she rejected his advances, and she remains profoundly traumatized by this incident. This trauma results in paranoia that the man follows her everywhere she goes, always moving into abandoned houses in her neighborhood. She even decides to retire from her wedding dress business because she believes this is the only way the man will stop following her. Despite her intense trauma and mental instability, Beatrice is a talented woman with a thriving business. She credits her success to her practice of taking her time over everything she does.

Beatrice Saint Fort Character Timeline in The Dew Breaker

The timeline below shows where the character Beatrice Saint Fort appears in The Dew Breaker. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Diaspora, Interconnection, and Haunting Theme Icon

While Beatrice Saint Fort is napping, a journalism intern arrives at her house in Far Rockaway, Queens.... (full context)

...gift, but Aline has not been able to make coffee that tastes as good as Beatrice’s. Beatrice says that the secret to her coffee is time, explaining, “I always take time,... (full context)

When Marjorie heard that Beatrice was retiring, she sent Aline to profile her. Beatrice comments that if only Aline had... (full context)

Beatrice expresses pride at the fact that the dress is always the center of attention at... (full context)

When Beatrice points to the house of a Haitian prison guard, Aline asks where he works, thinking... (full context)

Aline asks Beatrice what she will do after retirement, and Beatrice says she plans to move again. When... (full context)

After the interview, Aline calls Marjorie and tells her Beatrice seems “a bit nutty.” Sitting in her car, Aline notices that guard’s mailbox is overflowing.... (full context)

When Aline returns to Beatrice’s house, she finds Beatrice unbraiding her cornrows. Aline says that the house was empty, and... (full context)