# Franklin — Chance character guide

> Franklin in Chance by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Franklin, the aggrieved Franklin, the thick Mr. Franklin

**First appearance:** 0013-i-the-ferndale

## Snapshot

The Ferndale's chief mate, a sentimental and aggrieved sailor whose loyalty to Captain Anthony curdles into anxious suspicion of everyone aboard.

## Who they are

Franklin has sailed with Roderick Anthony for six years without a cross word, yet the captain's sudden silence and strange marriage leave him wounded and watchful. His devotion is genuine but possessive, and he reads the new Mrs. Anthony and the young Powell as threats to a bond he cannot name. It is Franklin's restless attention, his need to understand what has changed in his commander, that first turns the Ferndale's private unease into a mystery worth unraveling.

## Relationships

### [Captain Anthony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/captain_anthony)

_professional_

Franklin is Captain Anthony's chief officer and trusted subordinate, with a relationship based on naval hierarchy and mutual loyalty.

### [Charles Powell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/charles_powell)

_professional_

Powell and Franklin are fellow officers on the ship, with Franklin mentoring Powell in the duties of a seaman.

### [Captain Anthony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/captain_anthony)

_professional_

Franklin is Captain Anthony's chief officer and trusted subordinate, with a relationship based on naval hierarchy and mutual loyalty.

### [Charles Powell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/charles_powell)

_professional_

Powell and Franklin are fellow officers on the ship, with Franklin mentoring Powell in the duties of a seaman.

### [Captain Anthony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/captain_anthony)

_professional_

Franklin is Captain Anthony's chief officer and trusted subordinate, with a relationship based on naval hierarchy and mutual loyalty.

### [Charles Powell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/charles_powell)

_professional_

Powell and Franklin are fellow officers on the ship, with Franklin mentoring Powell in the duties of a seaman.

## In the story

### [I: The Ferndale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/i-the-ferndale)

The chief mate of the Ferndale, who notices a change in his captain and feels a strange unease about the new situation on board.

### [II: Young Powell Sees and Hears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/ii-young-powell-sees-and-hears)

The thick chief mate who is aggrieved at being 'chucked out of the saloon' due to the captain's marriage. He is tactful with Powell but expresses his annoyance and hints at past, better times on the ship.

### [III: Devoted Servants—and the Light of a Flare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/iii-devoted-servants-and-the-light-of-a-flare)

The aggrieved chief mate, provides insights into the strange shipboard life and the captain's unusual habits.

### [IV: Anthony and Flora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/iv-anthony-and-flora)

The chief mate, whose 'jealous devotion' draws attention to the unusual shipboard life.

### [V: The Great de Barral](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/v-the-great-de-barral)

The chief mate of the Ferndale, he observes Captain Anthony's unusual behavior with gloominess.

### [VI: … a Moonless Night, Thick with Stars Above, Very Dark on the Water](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/vi-a-moonless-night-thick-with-stars-above-very-dark-on-the-water)

The mate who uses the word 'jailer' about Captain Anthony, upsetting Powell.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/franklin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters