Romain Character Analysis in The Dew Breaker

Romain is Michel’s best and “only” friend. The book depicts him at 18 years old. He is a kind, protective, older brother figure to Michel. He is very intelligent and somewhat rebellious, deeply troubled by the burden of being Regulus’ son. When the Duvalier regime ends, he disappears, and Michel never sees him again.

Romain Character Timeline in The Dew Breaker

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

...Regulus, who is Michel’s neighbor and the father of Michel’s “hero” and best friend, 18-year-old Romain. Michel himself is only 12. He lost his own father before he was born in... (full context)

...love with Rosie and hopes to marry her one day. Before abandoning them, Regulus beat Romain and Romain’s mother, stole from them, and killed many of their relatives. Michel and Romain... (full context)

Michel and Romain were both only children, and Romain would defend Michel from other kids in the neighborhood.... (full context)

Diaspora, Interconnection, and Haunting Theme Icon

Romain’s mother is away on a business trip and his aunt Vesta, whom Michel also loves,... (full context)

Whenever Romain eats something sweet, he comments, “That’s the price of their eating sugar in Europe.” After... (full context)

Romain tells Michel that they are both going to “escape” like Regulus. They sneak out, and... (full context)

While they are drinking, a young, tense-looking man walks over and sits with them. Romain says to him, “It must be rough, camarade.” He then asks the man, who appears... (full context)

...shock, but because he is ashamed of the “dishonorable secret” that Christophe is his father. Romain tries to comfort him, but Michel pushes him away. Romain tells Michel that there is... (full context)

...going into exile, asserting that he was as “unyielding as a monkey’s tail.” Michel and Romain had laughed about this together. People had felt it was impossible that Baby Doc would... (full context)

...love for Christophe. Soon after, at 20 years old, Michel left Haiti. He never saw Romain again and doesn’t even know if he’s alive. Through Rosie and Vaval, Michel knows that... (full context)