# Jacques Paganel — In Search of the Castaways character guide > Jacques Paganel in In Search of the Castaways by Jules Verne. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Monsieur Paganel, Paganel, Mr. Paganel **First appearance:** 0005-vi-an-unexpected-passenger ## Snapshot A celebrated French geographer who boards the wrong ship, sleeps through the mistake, and becomes the expedition's brilliant, scatterbrained compass. ## Who they are Paganel is a distinguished member of the Geographical Society whose encyclopedic knowledge of coastlines, minerals, and colonial statistics is matched only by his genius for boarding the wrong vessel. He is loquacious, childishly delighted by pebbles and gold diggings, and so absorbed in scholarship that he once slept thirty-six hours through a departure. His misreading of the document's crucial word sends the search down a false path — then his flash of insight at the top of a tree redirects it entirely. ## Relationships ### [Lord Glenarvan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters/lord_glenarvan) _friendship_ Paganel is Glenarvan's enthusiastic and scholarly companion, sharing a deep mutual respect and camaraderie throughout the search expedition. ### [Major MacNabb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters/major_macnabb) _friendship_ Paganel and Major MacNabb are close companions on the journey, with Paganel's exuberance balanced by MacNabb's dry wit and practicality. ### [Robert Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters/robert_grant) _friendship_ Paganel becomes a playful and instructive friend to young Robert, often teaching him geography and sharing adventures. ### [Lady Helena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters/lady_helena) _friendship_ Paganel and Lady Helena share a cordial and respectful friendship, with Paganel often amusing her with his scholarly digressions. ### [Thalcave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters/thalcave) _friendship_ Paganel and Thalcave develop a mutual admiration, with Paganel fascinated by Thalcave's skills and Thalcave tolerating Paganel's chatter. ### [Lord Glenarvan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters/lord_glenarvan) _friendship_ Paganel is Glenarvan's enthusiastic and scholarly companion, sharing a deep mutual respect and camaraderie throughout the search expedition. ### [Major MacNabb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters/major_macnabb) _friendship_ Paganel and Major MacNabb are close companions on the journey, with Paganel's exuberance balanced by MacNabb's dry wit and practicality. ### [Major MacNabb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters/major_macnabb) _friendship_ Paganel and Major MacNabb are close companions on the journey, with Paganel's exuberance balanced by MacNabb's dry wit and practicality. ### [Lord Glenarvan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters/lord_glenarvan) _friendship_ Paganel is Glenarvan's enthusiastic and scholarly companion, sharing a deep mutual respect and camaraderie throughout the search expedition. ### [Lady Helena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters/lady_helena) _friendship_ Paganel and Lady Helena share a cordial and respectful friendship, with Paganel often amusing her with his scholarly digressions. ### [Robert Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters/robert_grant) _friendship_ Paganel becomes a playful and instructive friend to young Robert, often teaching him geography and sharing adventures. ### [Thalcave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters/thalcave) _friendship_ Paganel and Thalcave develop a mutual admiration, with Paganel fascinated by Thalcave's skills and Thalcave tolerating Paganel's chatter. ## In the story ### [An Unexpected Passenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/vi-an-unexpected-passenger) Mistakenly boards the Duncan; introduces himself as a French geographer heading to India. ### [Jacques Paganel Is Undeceived](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/vii-jacques-paganel-is-undeceived) Realizes his mistake of boarding the Duncan instead of the Scotia; initially destined for India but now sailing to America; accepts the situation with good humor and becomes a friend to all on board. ### [The Geographer's Resolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/viii-the-geographer-s-resolution) The geographer initially insists on leaving the Duncan to pursue his mission to India, but is gradually persuaded to join the rescue expedition. ### [Through the Strait of Magellan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/ix-through-the-strait-of-magellan) Resolves to join the expedition, teaches Robert geography, studies Spanish, and enthusiastically observes the strait's landmarks. ### [The Course Decided](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/x-the-course-decided) Convinces the group that Captain Grant is a prisoner of the Indians and proposes following the 37th parallel across the continent. ### [Traveling in Chile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xi-traveling-in-chile) Studies Spanish diligently, makes geographical observations that astonish the guide, and humorously claims to have traveled in the country 'in an armchair.' ### [Eleven Thousand Feet Aloft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xii-eleven-thousand-feet-aloft) Proposes the pass of Antuco, encourages the group to keep climbing, and offers to carry Robert. ### [A Sudden Descent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xiii-a-sudden-descent) Attempts to cook the guanaco meat, explains why it tastes poor, and identifies the earthquake. ### [Providentially Rescued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xiv-providentially-rescued) Identifies the condor and expresses grief for Robert; participates in the search. ### [Thalcave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xv-thalcave) Discovers he has been studying Portuguese instead of Spanish; comically interacts with Thalcave. ### [News of the Lost Captain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xvi-news-of-the-lost-captain) Translates and communicates with Thalcave, drawing maps in the sand to explain the mission. ### [A Serious Necessity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xvii-a-serious-necessity) Suffers from mosquito bites and regrets the absence of his acid-water; identifies the Gauchos as harmless peasants. ### [In Search of Water](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xviii-in-search-of-water) Left in command of the reserve detachment; dreams of water during the night; flattered by the major's trust in his guidance. ### [XIX: The Red Wolves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xix-the-red-wolves) Leads a party that reunites with Glenarvan and Robert after the wolf attack. ### [Strange Signs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xx-strange-signs) Serves as interpreter with Thalcave; explains the geography and customs of the Pampas; observes flamingoes and discusses the absence of natives. ### [A False Trail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxi-a-false-trail) Interprets the sergeant's story and realizes the mistake; frustrated but determined to reinterpret the document. ### [The Flood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxii-the-flood) Observes the mirage and field of horns, and is tormented by the document's mystery; nearly drowns but is saved by Glenarvan. ### [A Singular Abode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxiii-a-singular-abode) Climbs to an observatory in the tree; later cries out in realization that their search has been misdirected. ### [XXIV: Paganel’s Disclosure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxiv-paganel-s-disclosure) Reinterprets the document to point to Australia, sparking renewed hope; also shares a story about happiness. ### [Between Fire and Water](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxv-between-fire-and-water) Tells a story that is applauded but convinces no one; later identifies phosphorescent insects and discusses the storm with enthusiasm. ### [The Return on Board](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxvi-the-return-on-board) Roused from sleep by Glenarvan to use his supposed night vision; later gives Thalcave a map of South America as a parting gift. ### [A New Destination](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxvii-a-new-destination) Reinterprets the document to indicate Australia as the new destination. ### [Tristan d’Acunha and the Isle of Amsterdam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxviii-tristan-d-acunha-and-the-isle-of-amsterdam) Works on a composition about the Argentine Pampas; debates geographical problems; wagers with Major MacNabb that he can name fifty Australian explorers, and succeeds. ### [The Storm on the Indian Ocean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxix-the-storm-on-the-indian-ocean) Paganel comes on deck and later gives himself up to unreasonable theories about atmospheric currents. ### [A Hospitable Colonist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxx-a-hospitable-colonist) Participates in the discussion about the document; his earlier supposition about latitude is deemed illogical for Australia; climbs the cliff with the party. ### [The Quartermaster of the Britannia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxi-the-quartermaster-of-the-britannia) Takes pride in his correct interpretation of the document and supports Ayrton's account. ### [Preparations for the Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxii-preparations-for-the-journey) Geographer whose proposal was accepted; enthusiastically praises the oxcart and exchanges compliments with Lady Helena. ### [An Accident](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxiii-an-accident) Speculates about the dust cloud before Ayrton identifies it as a cattle drove; humorously curses the mosquitoes. ### [Australian Explorers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxiv-australian-explorers) Narrates the detailed accounts of the Burke and Stuart expeditions. ### [Crime or Calamity?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxv-crime-or-calamity) Eagerly visits Carlsbrook with Robert; later recognizes the police officer's phrase about convicts 'traveled free on Her Majesty's vessels.' ### [Fresh Faces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxvi-fresh-faces) Explores the native cemetery with Robert; quizzes Toliné on geography; enthusiastically lectures on the gold diggings and their history. ### [A Warning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxvii-a-warning) Supports continuing the course, provides historical and botanical commentary on the eucalyptus trees and the decline of the aboriginal race, identifies the 'monkey' as a full-blooded Australian. ### [Wealth in the Wilderness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxviii-wealth-in-the-wilderness) Hears Mozart being played in the wilderness and later compliments the Pattersons. ### [Suspicious Occurrences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxix-suspicious-occurrences) Falls from his horse when it dies suddenly; later supports Ayrton's suggestion to send orders to the Duncan. ### [A Startling Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xl-a-startling-discovery) Provides geographical information and inadvertently mentions convicts, then tries to cover his mistake. ### [The Plot Unveiled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xli-the-plot-unveiled) Furious at his own misinterpretation of the document; has a sudden revelation while writing the letter. ### [Four Days of Anguish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xlii-four-days-of-anguish) Reconnoiters Kemple Pier bridge with Captain Mangles; reports that the bridge has been burned by the convicts. ### [Helpless and Hopeless](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xliii-helpless-and-hopeless) Paganel observes the receding waters and suggests they might still reach Twofold Bay in time. ### [A Rough Captain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xliv-a-rough-captain) Proposes the voyage to New Zealand via the Macquarie; exhibits nervousness and hints at secret knowledge about New Zealand. ### [The Wreck of the Macquarie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xlv-the-wreck-of-the-macquarie) Attempts to entertain the ladies with stories of New Zealand's discovery and Maori conflicts, but his tales are met with unease due to the uncomfortable voyage. ### [Vain Efforts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xlvi-vain-efforts) Warns against landing in New Zealand due to cannibalistic tribes, though his pessimism is noted as unusual. ### [XLVII: A Dreaded Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xlvii-a-dreaded-country) Provides geographical and historical information about New Zealand, including the story of Jacob Louper. ### [XLVIII: Introduction to the Cannibals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xlviii-introduction-to-the-cannibals) Regains hopefulness; traces the Waikato on his map and identifies Lake Taupo as their likely destination. ### [The Sacred Mountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/lii-the-sacred-mountain) Explains the taboo protecting the mountain, recounts his escape from the Maori chief Hihy, and hints at 'great expedients' for escape. ### [A Bold Stratagem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/liii-a-bold-stratagem) Devises the bold stratagem of faking a volcanic eruption to deceive the superstitious Maoris. ### [From Peril to Safety](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/liv-from-peril-to-safety) Guides the party through the difficult terrain and confirms the approaching ship is a steamer. ### [Why the Duncan Went to New Zealand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/lv-why-the-duncan-went-to-new-zealand) Revealed as the author of the letter that mistakenly directed the Duncan to New Zealand instead of Australia, a blunder that providentially saved the expedition. ### [A Discouraging Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/lvii-a-discouraging-confession) Remains silent during Ayrton's examination but later reveals his reinterpretation of the document, identifying 'aland' as part of 'Zealand' and pointing to New Zealand. ### [A Cry in the Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/lviii-a-cry-in-the-night) Finds the shared hallucination strange; later examines the island's lights and discusses volcanic activity. ### [Captain Grant's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/lix-captain-grant-s-story) Weeps with emotion; compares the island to Robinson Crusoe; is teased by the major for his geographical error. ### [LX: Paganel’s Last Entanglement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/lx-paganel-s-last-entanglement) Tattooed by Maoris, he keeps his body covered and hesitates to marry Miss Arabella out of shame. ### [LXI: The End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/lxi-the-end) Marries Mrs. Olbinett and becomes a settled man. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters/jacques_paganel - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters