# The End of the Tether — Character guide

> Key figures in The End of the Tether by Joseph Conrad.

- [Captain Whalley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_end_of_the_tether_se/characters/captain_whalley.md): An aging, proud sea captain struggling to secure his daughter's future.
- [Mr. Massy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_end_of_the_tether_se/characters/massy.md): The greedy, scheming engineer and part-owner of the Sofala.
- [Mr. Van Wyk](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_end_of_the_tether_se/characters/mr_van_wyk.md): A wealthy, reclusive planter who becomes entangled in the Sofala's fate.
- [Mr. Sterne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_end_of_the_tether_se/characters/mr_sterne.md): A cunning, ambitious chief mate on the Sofala.
- [the Serang](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_end_of_the_tether_se/characters/the_serang.md): The loyal, silent Malay boatswain of the Sofala.
- [Captain Eliott](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_end_of_the_tether_se/characters/captain_eliott.md): A jovial, respected harbor master and old friend of Whalley.
- [Jack](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_end_of_the_tether_se/characters/jack.md): A loyal, unnamed servant or crewman on the Sofala.
- [Captain Provost](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_end_of_the_tether_se/characters/captain_provost.md): A fellow sea captain and acquaintance of Whalley.
- [Mr. Denham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_end_of_the_tether_se/characters/mr_denham.md): A minor official or shipowner in the port community.
- [Tuan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_end_of_the_tether_se/characters/tuan.md): A respectful title used for European gentlemen, often referring to Van Wyk.
- [Ivy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_end_of_the_tether_se/characters/ivy.md): Whalley's beloved daughter, for whom he sacrifices everything.
- [Charley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_end_of_the_tether_se/characters/charley.md): A portly, good-natured friend of Whalley's youth.
- [old Swinburne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_end_of_the_tether_se/characters/old_swinburne.md): An elderly, retired seaman known to Whalley.
- [Evans](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_end_of_the_tether_se/characters/evans.md): A former shipmate of Whalley, now deceased.
- [Sir Frederick](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_end_of_the_tether_se/characters/sir_frederick.md): A colonial official or wealthy patron mentioned in passing.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_end_of_the_tether_se/characters