# Captain Lingard — An Outcast of the Islands character guide > Captain Lingard in An Outcast of the Islands by Joseph Conrad. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Lingard, the puzzled Lingard, Tom Lingard, Rajah Laut, Captain Tom **First appearance:** 0003-an-outcast-of-the-islands ## Snapshot The legendary Rajah Laut, a seaman whose reckless generosity and fierce pride in his own name bind him to the men he has made and ruined. ## Who they are Lingard built his reputation on daring and his fortune on the trust of Malay rulers and Dutch traders alike, and he wears his honorary title like a second skin. He plucked Willems from a quay as a runaway boy and set Almayer up in Sambir, believing loyalty would follow. His refusal to see betrayal coming, and his determination to reclaim what he considers his, drive the novel's central collision. ## Relationships ### [Willems](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/willems) _psychological_ Lingard acts as a paternalistic mentor and protector to Willems, but later becomes bitterly disappointed and vengeful after Willems's betrayal. ### [Almayer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/almayer) _professional_ Almayer is Lingard's subordinate and business agent, dependent on Lingard's patronage but increasingly frustrated by his authority. ### [Babalatchi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/babalatchi) _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) _rivalry_ Lingard and Lakamba are political and commercial adversaries, each vying for control over the region's trade. ### [Aissa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/aissa) _rivalry_ Aissa views Lingard as an enemy who threatens her relationship with Willems and her people's autonomy. ### [Willems](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/willems) _psychological_ Lingard acts as a paternalistic mentor and protector to Willems, but later becomes bitterly disappointed and vengeful after Willems's betrayal. ### [Almayer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/almayer) _professional_ Almayer is Lingard's subordinate and business agent, dependent on Lingard's patronage but increasingly frustrated by his authority. ### [Almayer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/almayer) _professional_ Almayer is Lingard's subordinate and business agent, dependent on Lingard's patronage but increasingly frustrated by his authority. ### [Willems](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/willems) _psychological_ Lingard acts as a paternalistic mentor and protector to Willems, but later becomes bitterly disappointed and vengeful after Willems's betrayal. ### [Babalatchi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/babalatchi) _rivalry_ Babalatchi schemes against Lingard's influence in Sambir, viewing him as an obstacle to his own and Syed Abdulla's ambitions. ### [Babalatchi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/babalatchi) _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) _rivalry_ Lingard and Lakamba are political and commercial adversaries, each vying for control over the region's trade. ## In the story ### [Author's Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/author-s-note) Mentioned as the captain of the steamer; his face is impenetrable during conversations about Willems. ### [Part I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/an-outcast-of-the-islands) The sea captain who takes Willems under his protection and brings him to Sambir. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-i-ii) Portrayed as a master and lover of the sea; takes Willems under his protection, proud of his protégé's success but also somewhat patronized by him. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-i-iv) Finds Willems, reveals the conspiracy against him, writes to Joanna, and physically restrains Willems from attacking Hudig. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-i-v) The powerful white trader whose influence in Sambir Babalatchi and Lakamba seek to undermine. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-ii-i) Mentioned as Almayer's benefactor and Willems' former patron; his absence is noted as emboldening Willems' enemies. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-iii-i) Returns to Sambir to find his influence gone; listens to Almayer's account with a mix of impatience and thoughtful reflection. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-iii-ii) Returns to find his kingdom lost; listens to Almayer's account and mourns the loss of his ship. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-iii-iii) Listens to Almayer's story and reveals he has brought Willems' wife and child to Sambir. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-iii-iv) Contemplates his own life and success; receives Abdulla's letter; resists Almayer's pressure to kill Willems; plans a canoe trip at sunset. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-iv-i) Arrives by canoe seeking a white man; he is burdened by memories of past kindness and a sense of duty to execute justice, reluctant but resolved. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-iv-ii) Sits brooding in Babalatchi's hut, torn between his code of justice and doubt about Willems' fate. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-iv-iii) Confronts Aissa and Willems, asserting his judgment to spare Willems's life as punishment. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-iv-iv) Astounded and enraged, Lingard struggles with his desire for vengeance, ultimately rejecting a quick death for Willems in favor of a more personal confrontation. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-iv-v) Confronts Willems, declares him a prisoner, and sentences him to exile in Sambir. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-v-i) Lingard is a looming presence in Almayer's thoughts, whose anger and potential retaliation are key factors in Almayer's calculations. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-v-iii) Lingard is mentioned as having departed, leaving Willems in solitude. His absence marks the beginning of Willems's deeper despair. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-v-iv) Referenced in Willems' thoughts as a source of resentment for sending inadequate food and no medicine, symbolizing his downfall. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/captain_lingard - 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