Lord Jim · Chapter
Chapter XLIII explained
Jim secures the council's consent to let Brown and his men pass unmolested, demonstrating the trust the community places in him.
What happens
Jim secures the council's consent to let Brown and his men pass unmolested, demonstrating the trust the community places in him. He sends Tamb' Itam with Stein's ring to warn Dain Waris, while Cornelius secretly betrays Jim by offering to guide Brown through a backwater past Dain Waris's camp. Brown's boat departs into the fog, with Jim promising to send provisions.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Shame
Jim's insistence on letting Brown go is driven by his sense of honor and responsibility, as he believes it is 'best in my knowledge' and he is 'responsible for every life in the land.' His faithfulness makes him 'in his own eyes the equal of the impeccable men who never fall out of the ranks.'
Judgment and Redemption
Jim's decision to trust Brown and grant safe passage is a test of his judgment; his past failure on the Patna looms as he seeks to redeem himself through this act of trust, but Cornelius's betrayal sets the stage for tragic consequences.
Isolation and Belonging
Jim is isolated in his loneliness, 'greater and more pitiful in the loneliness of his soul,' even as he belongs to the community that trusts him. His bond with Jewel and the Bugis is contrasted with his ultimate solitude.
Characters to notice
- Jim
Jim insists on letting Brown go, takes command in the town, and sends Tamb' Itam with his ring to warn Dain Waris. He shows trust in Brown's word but is unaware of Cornelius's betrayal.
- Tamb' Itam
Tamb' Itam follows Jim, pretends to sleep while watching him, and is entrusted with the mission to deliver Jim's message and ring to Dain Waris.
- Gentleman Brown
Brown receives Jim's note granting safe passage, listens to Cornelius's offer of a secret route, and departs with his men into the fog, showing his ruthless pragmatism.
- Cornelius
Cornelius betrays Jim by informing Brown of Dain Waris's position and offering to guide him through a backwater, motivated by resentment over Jim's success.
- Doramin
Doramin consents to Jim's plan after the council, stating that there is no reading of hearts, and agrees to let the whites go.
- Kassim
Kassim attends the council, is cold-shouldered, but professes delight when Jim occupies the Rajah's stockade, and later speaks loudly of protecting the Rajah's property.
Key passages
“‘Let them go because this is best in my knowledge which has never deceived you,’ Jim insisted.”
Jim argued that they should let Brown's men leave, as his judgment had always been reliable.
Jim asserts his authority and trustworthiness to the council.
“‘I am responsible for every life in the land,’ he said.”
Jim declared that he felt accountable for the safety of everyone in Patusan.
Jim expresses his sense of duty and burden of leadership.
“‘If you and Dain Waris had done what you wanted, not one of these poor devils would be alive today.’”
Jim told Jewel that if she and Dain Waris had acted on their wishes, all of Brown's men would have been killed.
Jim acknowledges the potential for violence and his role in preventing it.
“‘He thinks he has made me harmless, does he?’ mumbled Brown very low. … ‘Yes. He is a fool. A little child.’”
Brown muttered that Jim believed he had neutralized him, but considered Jim naive and foolish.
Brown reveals his contempt for Jim's trust and his own treacherous intentions.
“‘You will have to be quiet,’ he said as an afterthought, ‘for in one place we pass close behind his camp. Very close.’”
Cornelius warned Brown that they would need to be silent because they would pass very near Dain Waris's camp.
Cornelius outlines the secret route that will lead to betrayal.
