# Dick Kennedy — Five Weeks in a Balloon character guide > Dick Kennedy in Five Weeks in a Balloon by Jules Verne. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Kennedy, friend Kennedy, the stubborn Kennedy **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot Ferguson's old comrade from India — a crack Scottish hunter who trusts his rifle more than any balloon and says so at every opportunity. ## Who they are Kennedy is the expedition's muscle and its resident doubter, a six-foot Scot whose friendship with Ferguson was forged over tigers and botanical specimens rather than saved lives. He joins the voyage reluctantly, grumbling about the uselessness of a balloon for a hunter, and his instinct to shoot first and theorize later repeatedly collides with the doctor's careful plans. His skepticism is not mere comedy: it gives the reader a grounded, human counterweight to Ferguson's soaring ambitions, and his marksmanship becomes indispensable the moment the party faces real danger. ## Relationships ### [Joe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/joe) _friendship_ Dick Kennedy and Joe share a friendly and cooperative relationship as fellow members of the balloon expedition, often working together. ### [The Scot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/the_scot) _friendship_ Dick Kennedy and The Scot have a cordial relationship, likely bonding over shared experiences during the journey. ### [Captain Speke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/captain_speke) _professional_ Captain Speke and Dick Kennedy share a professional acquaintance, likely within the context of exploration. ### [Joe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/joe) _friendship_ Dick Kennedy and Joe share a friendly and cooperative relationship as fellow members of the balloon expedition, often working together. ### [Joe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/joe) _friendship_ Dick Kennedy and Joe share a friendly and cooperative relationship as fellow members of the balloon expedition, often working together. ### [The Scot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/the_scot) _friendship_ Dick Kennedy and The Scot have a cordial relationship, likely bonding over shared experiences during the journey. ### [The Scot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/the_scot) _friendship_ Dick Kennedy and The Scot have a cordial relationship, likely bonding over shared experiences during the journey. ### [Captain Speke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/captain_speke) _professional_ Captain Speke and Dick Kennedy share a professional acquaintance, likely within the context of exploration. ## In the story ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/iii) Kennedy is shocked by the news, initially furious and opposed, but gradually becomes intrigued by the doctor's reasoning. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/v) Tries to dissuade Ferguson with arguments and subterfuges, suffers from fearful nightmares about falling, but secretly orders heavy clothing and hunting gear from Edinburgh. ### [A Servant—Match Him!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/vi) Kennedy expresses doubt about the expedition's safety and initially refuses to be weighed, but ultimately complies under the doctor's direction. He plans to accompany the party to Zanzibar to try to stop the venture. ### [Geometrical Details and Preparations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/vii) Kennedy is mentioned in the weight summary as weighing 153 pounds, indicating he is part of the expedition. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/viii) Reluctant and silent, swearing he will not go but bringing a full arsenal of hunting weapons. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xi) Initially hesitant, but ultimately agrees to join the voyage after a final conversation with the doctor. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xii) Inquires about distance traveled, expresses desire to hunt, and comments on the landscape. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xiii) Suffers from fever but is cured by the doctor's aerial remedy; expresses enthusiasm for the balloon's benefits; goes hunting with Joe. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xiv) Shoots a blue antelope, fires signal shots, helps repel baboon attack, enjoys the meal. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xv) Observes from the balloon, rifle in hand, ready to defend. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xvi) Expresses fear and urgency during the storm, urging descent, but follows the doctor's orders. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xvii) Returns with partridges and an oryx haunch, proposes settling in the forest, and later shoots at the elephant to stop it. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xviii) Supports Ferguson enthusiastically, fires at hostile natives to protect the balloon, and accompanies the doctor to witness the carved initials. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xix) Engages in conversation about the region and expresses hope for a safe journey. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xx) Notes the erratic wind, admires the banyan forest, and shoots the cannibal chieftain despite the doctor's objections. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxi) Keeps watch, hears strange sounds, and descends into the tree with Joe. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxii) Lifts the missionary into the car and tosses the water tank to lighten the balloon. ### [Chapter XXIII: The Goldmine and the Missionary's Burial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxiii) Assists in burying the missionary and helps Joe gather stones, but remains level-headed about the gold. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxiv) Initially teases Joe about the stones, but later shows steadfast resolve, declaring they should persevere to the end. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxv) Expresses frustration and concern about the lack of water and wind. ### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxvi) Lies in silence, unable to walk; expresses despair over the heat and lack of water. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxvii) Kennedy suffers severely from thirst, becomes delirious, attempts suicide with his rifle, and later drinks ravenously at the oasis. ### [An Evening of Delight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxviii) Expresses gratitude to Joe, explores the oasis, regrets the lack of dangerous game, and helps with the balloon launch. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxix) Eager to hunt the abundant wildlife; remarks on the landscape resembling the Scottish Highlands. ### [Mosfeia and the Incendiary Pigeons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxx) Expresses concern about the natives' perception of Europeans and prepares to defend the balloon during the pigeon attack. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxxi) Wakes up with the doctor; expresses desire to hunt; shoots at a hippopotamus but misses; eager for more hunting opportunities. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxxii) Eager to shoot the condors, follows the doctor's orders, and despairs after Joe's leap. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxxiii) Hunts for fresh meat, shares in the search for Joe, and expresses hope that Joe survived. ### [The Hurricane and the Resolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxxiv) Reluctantly agrees to depart without Joe; pledges to sacrifice himself to find Joe; takes up watch with spyglass. ### [Chapter XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxxv) Referenced as Joe's friend who would have sacrificed himself similarly. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxxvi) Spots Joe from the balloon, shoots an Arab pursuer, and helps execute the rescue by throwing out ballast. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxxvii) Expresses anxiety about the northward course toward the Great Desert, but eventually agrees to the plan to reach Timbuktu. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxxviii) Expresses concern about the gas loss and inquires about the fate of explorers like Richard Lander. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xxxix) Observes the ruined ramparts of Timbuktu and expresses concern about the balloon's westward course. ### [Chapter XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xl) Comments on the devastation caused by the grasshoppers and the progress toward the Senegal River. ### [The Approaches to Senegal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xli) Questions the balloon's condition; reluctant to throw away his firearms; deeply moved by Joe's sacrifice to save his rifle. ### [A Struggle of Generosity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xlii) Offers to sacrifice himself, helps dismantle the apparatus, falls asleep on watch, and awakens to discover the forest fire. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xliii) Defends the group with his rifle, expresses despair at the river, but helps execute the doctor's plan. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xliv) Returns to Edinburgh with his famous rifle to relieve his housekeeper's anxiety. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/dick_kennedy - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters