# Dain Maroola — Almayer’s Folly character guide

> Dain Maroola in Almayer’s Folly by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Dain, Maroola, Tuan Dain, Tuan Maroola

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Snapshot

A Malay prince whose unrestrained passion for Nina Almayer turns a quiet trading post into the flashpoint of every hidden loyalty in Sambir.

## Who they are

Dain Maroola arrives in Sambir as a trader with a brig and an easy generosity that buys him friends on both sides of the river. His love for Nina is total and undisciplined, offered with a fervor that ignores race, rank, and the watchful eyes of her parents. Mrs. Almayer sees a powerful chief and a purse; Almayer sees a useful partner for his gold scheme; Babalatchi sees something worth confirming with his own eye. His comings and goings set the early plot in motion.

## In the story

### [Chapter 1](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/chapters/almayer-s-folly)

A Malay trader whose arrival in Sambir sparks new intrigue and potential alliance with Almayer.

### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/chapters/i)

Dain is mentioned as having arrived and gone to Lakamba; he is expected to meet Almayer the next day.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/chapters/iv)

Arrives as a trader, impresses Almayer and Nina with his appearance and demeanor, and initiates secret meetings with Nina.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/chapters/v)

Meets Nina secretly under the mango trees and later at dawn in Bulangi's creek, expressing passionate love.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/chapters/vi)

Dain negotiates with Lakamba and Babalatchi, accepts the hiding plan at Bulangi's, but insists on seeing Almayer first. His return to Sambir is driven by his love for Nina.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/chapters/viii)

The man Taminah loves; he is hiding from white men and believed dead by many.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/chapters/ix)

Dain is the subject of the manhunt; Babalatchi and Lakamba plan to smuggle him out of Sambir to safety.

### [The Parting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/chapters/x)

The fugitive lover waiting for Nina; his danger and devotion drive the chapter's tension.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/chapters/xi)

Dain refuses to abandon Nina, offers his life for her, and prepares to escape with her as the Dutch approach.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/chapters/xii)

Dain orchestrates the escape with Nina, speaks to Almayer about Nina's tears, and leads her to the waiting canoe and prau.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/characters/dain
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/almayer_s_folly_se/characters