Character guide

Willems

major

Also known as Peter Willems, young Willems, Mr. Willems, the great Willems, V Willems, Louis Willems

A European trader who betrays his benefactor and becomes entangled with a native woman.

Almayer

major

Also known as Sambir, The unconscious Almayer, Nina Almayer

A Dutch trader in Sambir, struggling to maintain his business and family.

Captain Lingard

major

Also known as Lingard, the puzzled Lingard, Tom Lingard, Rajah Laut, Captain Tom

A powerful sea captain and trader who acts as a patron to Willems and Almayer.

Babalatchi

supporting

Also known as the wakeful Babalatchi, O Babalatchi, IV Babalatchi, Suddenly Babalatchi

A cunning one-eyed Malay statesman and advisor to Lakamba.

Aissa

major

Also known as the silent Aissa

A passionate native woman who becomes Willems' lover and captor.

Syed Abdulla

supporting

Also known as Tuan Abdulla, Abdulla, Syed Abdulla bin Selim, Abdulla bin Selim

A wealthy Arab trader who rivals Lingard's influence in Sambir.

Lakamba

supporting

Also known as Tuan Lakamba, the startled Lakamba

A Malay ruler in Sambir, often scheming with Babalatchi.

Joanna

supporting

Willems' wife, who travels to Sambir seeking him.

Omar el Badavi

supporting

Also known as the blind Omar el Badavi, Omar, old Omar, Tuan Omar, Omar besar

A blind old Arab sea rover and father of Aissa.

Ali

minor

Almayer's Malay servant and occasional messenger.

Rajah Patalolo

minor

Also known as The Rajah Patalolo, Patalolo, old Patalolo, the old Rajah

The old Rajah of Sambir, father of Lakamba's rival.

Hudig

minor

Also known as old Hudig, Mr. Hudig, the rich Hudig

A wealthy merchant in Macassar who employs Willems.

Mahmat Banjer

minor

Also known as Banjer, Mahmat

A Malay boatman and minor trader in Sambir.

Daoud Sahamin

minor

Also known as Sahamin, Daoud, The venerable Sahamin

An elderly Malay chief loyal to Patalolo.

Mr. Vinck

minor

Also known as Vinck, absently Mr. Vinck

A clerk in Hudig's office in Macassar.

Leonard da Souza

minor

Also known as Leonard

Joanna's brother, who helps her search for Willems.

Hamet Bahassoen

minor

Also known as Bahassoen, young Bahassoen

A young Arab trader allied with Abdulla.

Jim-Eng

minor

Also known as Jim, Jim - Eng

A Chinese trader and friend of Willems in Sambir.

Mrs. Vinck

minor

Wife of Mr. Vinck, appears briefly in Macassar.

Young Ford

minor

Also known as Ford

A young Englishman visiting Sambir on business.