# Babalatchi — An Outcast of the Islands character guide > Babalatchi in An Outcast of the Islands by Joseph Conrad. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** the wakeful Babalatchi, O Babalatchi, IV Babalatchi, Suddenly Babalatchi **First appearance:** 0003-an-outcast-of-the-islands ## Snapshot A one-eyed Malay statesman who serves Lakamba while quietly steering every faction toward his own patient, fatalistic advantage. ## Who they are Babalatchi moves through the settlement's shadows, advising Lakamba, flattering Abdulla, and measuring every white man's weakness with his single eye. He despises the strong fools who rule by force yet knows he must use them to survive. His calm manipulation of Willems, and his willingness to let the white men destroy each other, make him the quiet architect of the story's turning points. ## Relationships ### [Captain Lingard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/captain_lingard) _rivalry_ Babalatchi schemes against Lingard's influence in Sambir, viewing him as an obstacle to his own and Syed Abdulla's ambitions. ### [Omar el Badavi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/omar_el_badavi) _family_ Babalatchi is the loyal and protective adopted son or close retainer of the blind and aging Omar el Badavi. ### [Willems](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/willems) _psychological_ Babalatchi manipulates Willems, using him as a tool to destabilize Lingard's influence while feigning friendship. ### [Lakamba](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/lakamba) _professional_ Babalatchi serves as the cunning advisor and political strategist to the ambitious Lakamba. ### [Omar el Badavi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/omar_el_badavi) _family_ Babalatchi is the loyal and protective adopted son or close retainer of the blind and aging Omar el Badavi. ### [Captain Lingard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/captain_lingard) _rivalry_ Babalatchi schemes against Lingard's influence in Sambir, viewing him as an obstacle to his own and Syed Abdulla's ambitions. ### [Lakamba](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/lakamba) _professional_ Babalatchi serves as the cunning advisor and political strategist to the ambitious Lakamba. ### [Captain Lingard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/captain_lingard) _rivalry_ Babalatchi schemes against Lingard's influence in Sambir, viewing him as an obstacle to his own and Syed Abdulla's ambitions. ### [Omar el Badavi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/omar_el_badavi) _family_ Babalatchi is the loyal and protective adopted son or close retainer of the blind and aging Omar el Badavi. ### [Willems](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/willems) _psychological_ Babalatchi manipulates Willems, using him as a tool to destabilize Lingard's influence while feigning friendship. ### [Lakamba](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/lakamba) _professional_ Babalatchi serves as the cunning advisor and political strategist to the ambitious Lakamba. ### [Willems](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/willems) _psychological_ Babalatchi manipulates Willems, using him as a tool to destabilize Lingard's influence while feigning friendship. ## In the story ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-i-v) Devises a plan to use Willems to destroy Lingard's influence, drawing on his experience with white men and their susceptibility to women. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-ii-ii) Orchestrates the intrigue, manipulates Aissa and Omar, and navigates Lakamba's court with calculated detachment. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-ii-iii) The cunning advisor who orchestrates the plot, having secured Willems as a guide and potential fighter, and reassures Abdulla about managing the white man. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-ii-iv) Manipulative and calculating, he uses Willems' passion to further his own plans, offering the house while subtly threatening Aissa's departure. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-ii-v) Observes the conference, reassures Lakamba, and remains skeptical about the future. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-iii-i) Acted as a spy for Lakamba and Abdulla, visiting Almayer under pretense and later conspiring against him. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-iii-iii) Assists Willems in executing orders but is later angry about the powder being dumped. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-iv-i) Grieving the death of Omar el Badavi, he is contemplative and cautious, listening to the river and the night before encountering Lingard. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-iv-ii) Manipulatively guides Lingard's thoughts, revealing Willems' location and past boasts, while expressing superstitious fears. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/babalatchi - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters