Characters Discussed

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Jim

Jim, a British seaman and chief mate of the Patna. When the ship seems to be sinking after striking a submerged derelict, he jumps into a lifeboat at the urging of his fellow officers, who have already abandoned the ship and her passengers. The Patna, however, does not sink; it is discovered by a French gunboat and towed to port. Jim and his three companions are sighted and brought to port separately. After the ensuing investigation, Jim spends the remainder of his life trying to regain his heroic conception of himself and to prove to men that it was not “he” who jumped. Finally, on the island of Patusan, he earns from the natives the title of “Lord Jim” and faces his death in a heroic manner.

Marlow

Marlow, an intelligent sea captain and “insatiably curious psychological observer” who sympathizes with Jim and aids him. Narrating most of the story, he says Jim is “one of us,” meaning, perhaps, that he is neither maliciously evil nor excessively good.

Captain Brierly

Captain Brierly, the “unimpeachable professional seaman” and a nautical assessor at the inquiry into the desertion of the Patna. He identifies himself with Jim in some strange way. Awakened, perhaps, to humankind’s vulnerability, he commits suicide on his next voyage.

The French Lieutenant

The French Lieutenant, an unimaginatively brave man who stays aboard the Patna for thirty hours while she is being towed to port. He never thinks that he has been heroic.

Stein

Stein, a trader who is also a naturalist and a moral philosopher. He gives Jim a chance to have his dream of rehabilitation come true by making him the agent for his enterprises on the island of Patusan.

Chester

Chester, a loathsome creature who has been everything but a pirate. He offers Jim a job that would exile him on a guano island for life because, as he says, Jim “is no earthly good for anything else.” He mistakes Jim for one of his own kind.

Cornelius

Cornelius, the former unsuccessful agent for Stein on Patusan. He resents Jim and finally aids Brown in causing Jim’s destruction.

Gentleman Brown

Gentleman Brown, a renegade who with a cutthroat crew lands on Patusan to get supplies but remains to rob and plunder. In sympathy, not understanding Brown’s deceit, Jim makes a pact with him. Brown’s deception results in Jim’s death.

Doramin

Doramin, the leader of Patusan natives with whom Jim makes friends. When Doramin’s son is killed because of Jim’s misjudgment, Doramin is bound by honor to kill Jim.

Dain Waris

Dain Waris, Doramin’s son and Jim’s friend, killed treacherously by Brown. By his error in judgment, Jim is responsible for his friend’s death.

The Rajah

The Rajah, the ruler of the natives on Patusan; he unsuccessfully opposes Jim.

Tamb’ Itam

Tamb’ Itam, the faithful servant of Jim on Patusan.

Kossim

Kossim, the confidant of the Rajah.

Sherif Ali

Sherif Ali, a wandering stranger, an Arab half-breed, who invites tribes from the interior to form a third force on Patusan.

The Captain

The Captain, the German skipper of the Patna, who abandoned his ship and its load of passengers without remorse.

The Chief Engineer

The Chief Engineer, who swears that he saw the ship go down.

The Second Engineer

The Second Engineer, who also seems to have no remorse for abandoning the ship.

Captain O’Brien

Captain O’Brien, a large, noisy old man who says that abandoning the Patna was a disgrace.

Captain Jones

Captain Jones, the first mate serving under Captain Brierly. He finds it hard to explain Brierly’s suicide, all the more...

(This entire section contains 666 words.)

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because he did not like Brierly while the man was alive.

Captain Robinson

Captain Robinson, an old renegade who has done almost everything from opium smuggling to stealing. Chester takes him in on the guano deal because Robinson has some money.

Jewel

Jewel, Jim’s native wife on Patusan. She finds it difficult to understand his ideals.

Characters

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The central character of the story is Jim, the protagonist and tragic hero. Jim's character remains somewhat mysterious, not only to Marlow but also to himself. He is best described as a "romantic," according to the worldly wise Stein. Raised with dreams of heroism from a young age, Jim yearns for the reputation of a hero. However, he is too self-aware to be a natural man of action. An incident during his training period illustrates that Jim can become so captivated by his dreams of valor that he fails to act when the moment arises.

As a result, Jim struggles to forgive himself for succumbing to the instinct for self-preservation and abandoning the Patna when he believes it is doomed. In the latter part of the novel, Jim seeks self-respect; he proves to be a competent leader and administrator on Patusan, earning the respect of the chief Doramin and the friendship of Doramin's son, Dain Waris. However, Jim lacks the necessary cynicism about human nature to effectively deal with a rogue like Gentleman Brown. Consequently, his willingness to trust Brown to honor an agreement leads to Dain Waris's death. Despite this, Jim remains committed to his ideals of honor, ultimately offering his life to the vengeful Doramin as atonement for Dain Waris's death. Regardless of one's opinion on Jim's motives or judgment, his strength of will and loyalty to his ideals make him a tragic figure.

Another key figure in the story is Marlow, the seasoned seaman who narrates much of Jim's tale. As one of Conrad's principal narrative voices, Marlow holds significant importance in any Conrad story, providing a perspective of experience and pragmatic morality for the reader to view the action. However, Marlow is not the focal point of Lord Jim, even though he is arguably the most important character in Heart of Darkness. Marlow's primary role in Lord Jim is his attempt to understand Jim, as shown by his willingness to listen to Jim's account of his actions on the Patna. Moreover, Marlow pieces together the story of Jim's later actions. Marlow's enduring interest in Jim's fate lends the story a mature, ironic perspective and helps elevate Jim's fate into a tragic drama representing humanity.

Another significant character is Gentleman Brown, an unscrupulous rogue whose piracy threatens the natives of Patusan. His maliciousness extends beyond mere ruthlessness, evolving into a nihilistic love for killing. Despite his deplorable moral character, Brown possesses a certain roguish charm. However, he epitomizes a calculated evil that Jim fails to comprehend until it's too late. Naively, Jim believes Brown has enough honor to uphold an agreement. Brown, on the other hand, revels in betrayal, and his departure from Patusan results in a massacre of some natives. Thus, Brown serves as a moral nihilist whose actions contrast Jim's strengths and idealistic romanticism.

Among the supporting characters, Stein stands out. Stein, a former revolutionary, adventurer, trader, and natural history enthusiast, recognizes that Jim needs another chance to prove himself through experience. Stein provides this opportunity by sending Jim to restore order in Patusan. He also delivers one of the novel's most memorable philosophical insights, expressed in English with a Germanic twist: "A man that is born falls into a dream like a man who falls into the sea. If he tries to climb out into the air as inexperienced people endeavor to do, he drowns. . . . The way is to the destructive element submit yourself, and with the exertions of your hands and feet in the water, make the deep, deep sea keep you up." Stein acknowledges both the folly of romantic dreaming and the necessity of having such dreams to pursue. Some interpret Stein's perspective as Conrad's own commentary on the novel, but this interpretation might oversimplify their significance.

The novel features a multitude of minor characters, many of whom are only briefly described. Jim's fellow officers on the Patna are depicted as cowardly and incompetent. However, Captain Brierly, the officer known for his exceptional integrity who oversees Jim's hearing at the board of inquiry, is a different case. Brierly, who appears to have little self-awareness or understanding of his own vulnerabilities, is profoundly affected by Jim's situation. Disturbed by Jim's exposure of his own weakness and the fragility of human virtue, Brierly is unable to cope with this newfound awareness and ultimately commits suicide on his next voyage.

The islanders Jim lives among on Patusan play crucial roles in the dramatic final scenes. Jim earns the love of Jewel, a native woman who struggles to comprehend his moral dilemmas and lack of pragmatism. Her love for Jim is unwavering, and she is horrified by his decision to sacrifice his life in the end. Jewel's presence highlights the immense sacrifices Jim must make. Jim also secures the tentative friendship of Doramin, a formidable chieftain who admires Jim for his leadership and fairness towards the natives. However, Doramin is a stern and unforgiving man who exacts a heavy price for Jim's poor decision to negotiate with Brown, ultimately killing Jim, as Jim anticipated. If Jim had allowed the natives to eliminate Brown and his crew when they were vulnerable, Doramin would not have lost his son or his respect for Jim.

In contrast to his father, Doramin's son, Dain Waris, although less memorable, shares a deeper emotional connection with Jim. More amiable than Doramin and less grimly practical, Dain Waris is a family man with responsibilities. The strong bond he forms with Jim demonstrates Jim's ability to inspire trust. Dain Waris ultimately pays the price for Jim's misplaced trust in Gentleman Brown, losing his life and that of many of his people. While these island natives are convincingly portrayed, it is worth noting that Conrad's depiction of them is somewhat less compelling than his portrayal of his European characters.

Characters

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Lord Jim

Lord Jim is the protagonist who seeks redemption for a past filled with shame by sacrificing his life in honor of his deceased friend. Jim is a young, idealistic man with dreams of heroism, which he pursues by becoming a naval officer. Despite his initial failures, he remains hopeful for a chance at glory. However, when he abandons his ship, the Patna, leaving eight hundred Muslim pilgrims to what he believes will be a tragic fate, Jim feels he has betrayed his own ideals. The ship does not sink, and Jim’s actions are exposed during a public trial, resulting in the loss of his commission and his career as an officer. With the assistance of Marlow, an older naval captain, Jim attempts to rebuild his life by taking on a job arranged by Marlow. Yet, whenever the Patna incident is mentioned, Jim abandons his position and moves to a new town. This repeated behavior causes his name to become synonymous with the Patna scandal. To help Jim escape his past and start anew, Marlow arranges for him to relocate to Patusan, a distant island in the Far East.

In Patusan, Jim discovers a fresh start among people unaware of his history. Through a series of heroic acts, including defeating one of the warring factions against the Bugis Malays—Jim's chosen tribe—he earns the respect of the Malays, who refer to him as "Tuan," or "Lord," Jim, and believe he possesses supernatural abilities. From then on, they rely on Jim to resolve their conflicts and provide guidance. Jim marries Jewel, a mulatto woman native to Patusan, and his life begins to stabilize, as observed by Marlow during a visit. However, the arrival of a pirate named Gentleman Brown changes everything. When Jim's friend Dain is ambushed and killed by Brown while leaving Patusan, Jim’s wife and friends urge him to either fight or flee. Jim, however, chooses not to run and confronts Dain's father, accepting responsibility for Dain's death. Jim appears content as he faces his end, knowing that he has finally remained true to his principles.

Marlow

Marlow serves as the primary narrator throughout most of the story. He begins his narration in the fifth chapter, where the perspective shifts from third-person omniscient to first-person. Marlow, an experienced sea captain who appears in other Conrad tales, recounts Jim's story as an after-dinner narrative. Initially, Marlow meets Jim during the formal inquiry into the Patna incident. He is predisposed to dislike Jim, mistaking his calm demeanor for a lack of remorse. However, as Marlow gets to know Jim better, he realizes that Jim is deeply ashamed and tormented by guilt. The night before Jim's sentencing, Marlow offers him money and a chance to flee, but Jim refuses, not wanting to run away. After Jim's commission is revoked, Marlow helps him secure another job. Marlow is pleased to hear from Jim's new employer that he is performing well, but is distressed when he learns that Jim has left the job. Upon investigating, Marlow discovers that Jim departed because someone mentioned the Patna incident. This pattern repeats several times, prompting Marlow to seek assistance from Mr. Stein, a merchant and butterfly collector.

With Stein's aid, Marlow sends Jim to the remote island of Patusan. Stein's relationship with the Bugis Malays tribe helps Jim quickly gain their favor. Marlow visits Jim two years later and is impressed by Jim's transformation from a guilt-ridden young man to a confident leader. Despite Jim's success, everyone believes he will eventually leave Patusan, as most white men do. Jim's wife, Jewel, fears he will abandon her and questions Marlow about why Jim cannot return to the white world. Although Marlow tries to explain that Jim is not wanted there, she remains unconvinced. Marlow soon departs the island and never sees Jim again. At this juncture, Marlow concludes his still incomplete story. Over the next two years, Marlow gathers information about Jim, including details of his death. He travels globally, interviewing witnesses such as the pirate Brown. Eventually, Marlow compiles these accounts, along with other writings by and to Jim, and sends them to a guest from the dinner party where he first shared the tale. Although Jim is the main protagonist, Marlow also undergoes personal changes as he tries to understand Jim's actions in Patusan.

Sherif Ali

Sherif Ali is the corrupt leader of a faction opposing Jim and the Bugis Malays. After Jim has spent some time with the Bugis, Jewel warns him of an impending attack by Ali's assassins. Jim kills one assassin and sends the remaining three back to Ali as a warning. Later, Jim sends a more powerful message by using Doramin's cannons to destroy Ali's mountaintop fortress.

Rajah Allang

Rajah Allang leads the faction that captures Jim upon his initial arrival on the island. Before Jim's arrival, Allang maintains a trade monopoly through force and intimidation. When Jim escapes to Doramin, one of Allang's rivals, Allang pursues him, but Doramin provides protection. After Jim successfully destroys Sherif Ali's fortress, Allang ceases to trouble him and becomes quite submissive, fearing Jim's influence over the natives.

Blake

Blake is one of the partners at Egström & Blake, a ship-chandler where Jim briefly works as a water-clerk. Blake is the more domineering partner and is known for yelling at everyone who works in the ship-supply store.

Brierly

Brierly, a distinguished naval judge at Jim's trial, commits suicide by jumping into the sea. He realizes that he shares similarities with Jim and could easily find himself in Jim's situation one day.

Gentleman Brown

Gentleman Brown is a ruthless pirate responsible for ambushing and killing Dain, setting off events that lead to Jim's death. Brown calls himself "Gentleman" due to his good family background, but his piracy has earned him a notorious reputation. While fleeing authorities, he stops in Patusan for supplies en route to Madagascar. The natives detain him, and he realizes he is outnumbered. As the Bugis await Jim's return to decide Brown's fate, most are eager to kill him. When Brown meets the renowned Lord Jim, he correctly guesses that Jim is hiding in Patusan due to a troubled past, just as he is. This insight persuades Jim to let Brown go. Once freed, Brown, with Cornelius's help, attacks Dain. Years later, Marlow interviews Brown on his deathbed to understand the circumstances of Jim's perplexing and passive death, seeking to comprehend Jim's mysterious actions.

The Captain

The captain of the steamer Patna is Jim's superior officer during the ill-fated voyage that results in Jim's trial. Jim is unimpressed by the New South Wales German captain upon meeting him, as the man is vulgar, frequently shouts obscenities at his crew, and neglects his appearance. When Jim, the captain, and two crewmen are rescued by the Avondale, the captain perpetuates the fabricated story about the Patna's sinking. This lie is rendered useless upon reaching shore, where they discover the ship did not sink. While Jim faces trial for his actions, the captain vanishes.

Cornelius

Cornelius, who previously held Jim's position in Patusan, is the person who betrays Jim. After Mr. Stein hires Jim to replace Cornelius, Cornelius becomes envious and immediately dislikes Jim. Cornelius verbally abuses his stepdaughter, Jewel, and although Jim offers to kill him, Jewel declines, saying Cornelius is already miserable. After Jewel and Jim marry, Cornelius demands compensation for losing his stepdaughter and urges Marlow to convince Jim to pay. When Cornelius learns that Jim is not leaving, he seeks a way to eliminate him. He finds his opportunity with Brown, helping him ambush Dain—an act that ultimately leads to Jim's sacrificial death.

Mr. Denver

Marlow secures a job for Jim at Mr. Denver's rice mill, which goes well until someone threatens to blackmail Jim over the Patna incident, prompting Jim to quit. Mr. Denver, unable to understand Jim's sudden departure, writes an angry letter to Marlow.

Doramin

Doramin, the immensely obese chief of the Bugis Malays tribe, kills Jim after Jim's actions result in the death of Doramin's son, Dain. Doramin and Stein share a past friendship, symbolized by a silver ring that Doramin gave to Stein, who in return provided Doramin with cannons. When Jim escapes from Rajah Allang and seeks Doramin's help, he presents the chief with Stein's ring, and Doramin takes him in. Using Doramin's cannons, Jim and the Bugis Malays destroy Sherif Ali's mountain fortress. Jim forms a strong friendship with Dain, Doramin's son. Despite being the tribe's chief, Doramin often seeks Jim's opinion before making decisions, such as when he considers killing Brown. Unfortunately, when Jim allows Brown to leave—offering his own life as collateral for any consequences—Brown ambushes and kills Dain. Jim then presents himself before Doramin, who shoots and kills him.

Egström

Egström is one of the two partners at Egström & Blake, a ship-chandler where Jim is employed for a time. Egström focuses on managing the ship supplies store and disregards his partner's abrasive demeanor. He is highly impressed by Jim's work and cannot comprehend why Jim's guilt over the Patna incident drives him to leave.

The French Lieutenant

The French Lieutenant assists the Patna after Jim abandons the ship, towing the damaged vessel to shore. He remains on board the Patna for thirty hours and is prepared to let it sink, even at the risk of his own ship, if it becomes a threat. His primary concern is the lack of wine for the Moslem pilgrims' dinner.

Tamb' Itam

Tamb' Itam is Jim's loyal friend and bodyguard. He is puzzled by Jim's decision to face death. During the assault on Sherif Ali's fortress, Tamb' Itam closely follows Jim and Dain. Besides being a bodyguard and confidant, Tamb' Itam also acts as Jim's messenger. When Jim allows Brown to leave, he sends Tamb' Itam to inform Dain not to harm Brown. While in Dain's camp, Tamb' Itam witnesses Brown's attack and Dain's ensuing death. Realizing that Cornelius guided Brown to the camp, Tamb' Itam kills Cornelius. He is the first to bring Jim the news of Dain's death. Like Jewel, he does not understand why Jim refuses to fight or flee from Doramin, but he respects Jim's wishes.

Jewel

Jewel is Jim's wife, who never forgives him for willingly choosing to sacrifice his life. When Jim arrives in Patusan, he and Jewel, a native mulatto of the island, fall deeply in love. She constantly fears Jim might leave Patusan one day, despite reassurances from both Jim and Marlow that this is not possible, as the outside world has no place for Jim. Fiercely protective, she warns Jim of potential assassins and is receptive to his ideas. However, when Jim decides neither to fight nor flee from Doramin, who seeks revenge for Dain's death, Jewel accuses him of betrayal and abandonment. After Jim's death, Jewel speaks with Marlow at Stein's place, remaining bitter and perplexed over Jim's choice to die.

Mr. Stein

Mr. Stein is Marlow's friend and a merchant who provides Jim with the opportunity to go to Patusan. He is a wealthy individual, having amassed his fortune through business endeavors. Despite his financial success, Stein is a romantic at heart and a passionate naturalist, with a particular fondness for collecting butterflies and beetles. He once shared with Marlow a story about discovering a rare butterfly, describing it as a moment when he felt his life was complete and he could die content. Nevertheless, Stein lives on for many years, deeply troubled by Jim's death, which he finds incomprehensible. After Jim's demise, Marlow visits Stein and finds Jewel and Tamb' Itam staying with him.

Dain Waris

Dain Waris, the only son of Doramin, is Jim's close friend who meets his end in an ambush orchestrated by Brown. A formidable warrior, Dain eagerly leads battles, such as the assault on Sherif Ali's fort alongside Jim. The bond between Dain and Jim grows strong, with Dain valuing Jim's opinions even when they differ from his own. Though Dain wishes to eliminate Brown and his men, he restrains himself at Jim's behest. This decision leaves him unprepared for Brown's ambush, which ultimately claims his life.

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