# Cornelius — Lord Jim character guide > Cornelius in Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Cornelius, The respectable Cornelius **First appearance:** 0021-xx ## Snapshot A scheming, cowardly trader in Patusan who nurses a grievance against Jim and slinks through the narrative with a mouth perpetually on the verge of gnashing his teeth. ## Who they are Cornelius is the respectable face of petty resentment, a man whose legal paternity of Jewel gives him a claim he uses only to poison and obstruct. He moves through Patusan's margins with a peculiar twist of his mouth, aggrieved by Jim's ascendance and resentful of the world that has passed him by. His cowardice and spite make him a persistent low-grade threat, the kind of enemy who cannot be confronted honorably and cannot be ignored. ## Relationships ### [Jim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/characters/jim) _rivalry_ Cornelius resents Jim for replacing his influence and for winning Jewel's affection, plotting against him out of jealousy and spite. ### [Jewel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/characters/jewel) _family_ Cornelius is Jewel's stepfather, but their relationship is toxic and abusive, with Cornelius betraying her for his own gain. ### [Jewel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/characters/jewel) _family_ Cornelius is Jewel's stepfather, but their relationship is toxic and abusive, with Cornelius betraying her for his own gain. ### [Jim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/characters/jim) _rivalry_ Cornelius resents Jim for replacing his influence and for winning Jewel's affection, plotting against him out of jealousy and spite. ### [Jewel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/characters/jewel) _family_ Cornelius is Jewel's stepfather, but their relationship is toxic and abusive, with Cornelius betraying her for his own gain. ## In the story ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/iii) Not present in this chapter. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxi) Cornelius is the Portuguese manager being replaced by Jim; Stein describes him as unsatisfactory and ill-used. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxiii) Cornelius is referenced indirectly through the half-caste captain's account of Mr. Cornelius 'propitiating many offertories' to the Rajah, indicating his role in Patusan. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxviii) Cornelius is the unspeakable Malacca Portuguese, husband of Jewel's mother and a figure of contempt. ### [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxix) Portrayed as abject and loathsome, slinking around the compound; he initially greeted Jim with excessive amiability but provided miserable living conditions and tried to extract money from him. ### [The Night of Decision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxx) Proposes to smuggle Jim out for eighty dollars; behaves abjectly, then threatens Jim with death; abuses Jewel, forcing her to call him 'father'; slinks around the house with malevolent glances. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxxi) Cornelius acts suspiciously, feigns illness, and his empty hammock suggests his involvement in the assassination plot. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxxiii) Cornelius is mentioned as having tried to force his way into the room during Jewel's mother's death, and later as a groveling figure who plotted against Jim. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxxiv) Attempts to bribe Marlow to intercede for money; reveals his hatred and contempt for Jim. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxxv) Mentioned as part of the tableau, leaning his forehead against the fence under the moonlight. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxxvii) Mentioned as having revealed 'unsuspected depths of cunning' and abject hate that aided Brown's revenge. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxxix) Slinking in the courtyard, he is recruited by Kassim to interpret; betrays Jim by advising Brown to kill him. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xl) Urges Brown to kill Jim, describing Jim as fearless and childlike, and suggests a trap. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xli) Points out Jim to Brown, acting as a guide and informant. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xlii) Slouches down to meet Brown after the negotiation, expresses disappointment that Brown did not kill Jim, and slinks away dejectedly. ### [Chapter XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xliii) Cornelius betrays Jim by informing Brown of Dain Waris's position and offering to guide him through a backwater, motivated by resentment over Jim's success. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xliv) Forced to guide Brown's men; later killed by Tamb' Itam after the attack. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/characters/cornelius - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/characters