# IV explained — Victory

> Chapter companion for Victory by Joseph Conrad.

## What happens

Schomberg meets a new guest, Mr. Jones, who arrives by mail-boat with his secretary Martin Ricardo and a strange servant named Pedro. Mr. Jones is a wandering, cynical figure who expresses a strong aversion to women and seems to have a mysterious past. Schomberg is both mystified and impressed by his demeanor.

## Themes in this chapter

### Evil and Predation

The arrival of Mr. Jones and his crew introduces a predatory, menacing presence, with hints of violence and exploitation.

### Gender and Power

Mr. Jones's vehement aversion to women and his dismissive attitude toward Mrs. Schomberg reflect themes of misogyny and control.

## Character check-ins

### Schomberg

Schomberg meets the new arrivals and is disconcerted by Mr. Jones's contemptuous tone and mysterious manner.

### Mr. Jones

Mr. Jones arrives at Schomberg's hotel, presenting himself as a 'gentleman at large' with a cynical attitude and a hatred of women.

### Martin Ricardo

Ricardo is introduced as Mr. Jones's secretary, a pockmarked man with a harsh voice and a savage grin.

### Pedro

Pedro is a hairy, simian-looking servant and former alligator-hunter who accompanies Mr. Jones and Ricardo.

## Key lines

> The business was done by a guest who arrived one fine morning by mail-boat—immediately from Celebes, having boarded her in Macassar, but generally, Schomberg understood, from up China Sea way; a wanderer clearly, even as Heyst was, but not alone and of quite another kind.

A new guest arrived by mail-boat, a wanderer like Heyst but traveling with companions and of a different character.

_Introduces Mr. Jones as a contrast to Heyst._

> I can't stand women near me. They give me the horrors. They are a perfect curse!

Mr. Jones expresses a strong hatred of women, calling them a curse.

_Highlights Mr. Jones's misogyny._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-ii-iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/victory_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/victory_se/chapters