# Doramin — Lord Jim character guide

> Doramin in Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** old Doramin, the impassive old Doramin, O Doramin

**First appearance:** 0021-xx

## Snapshot

The old Bugis chief whose massive, impassive presence anchors Patusan's politics, and whose private counsel Jim seeks before every decisive move.

## Who they are

Doramin rules the Bugis settlers of Patusan from a chair that seems less furniture than throne, issuing orders in a deep veiled rumble while lesser chiefs panic around him. Jim speaks to him alone before all others, trusting that the old man knows his heart and its greatest desire, and Doramin's stillness becomes the measure against which Jim's restless authority is taken. His weight in the story is the weight of the old world Jim has chosen to serve, and the reader watches that alliance with the uneasy sense that such gravity always exacts a price.

## Relationships

### [Jim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/characters/jim)

_friendship_

Doramin, the powerful Bugis chieftain, trusts Jim as a leader and friend, but their bond ends tragically when Jim fails to protect his son.

### [Jim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/characters/jim)

_friendship_

Doramin, the powerful Bugis chieftain, trusts Jim as a leader and friend, but their bond ends tragically when Jim fails to protect his son.

### [Jim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/characters/jim)

_friendship_

Doramin, the powerful Bugis chieftain, trusts Jim as a leader and friend, but their bond ends tragically when Jim fails to protect his son.

## In the story

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/iii)

Not present in this chapter.

### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxv)

The Bugis chief who receives Jim after his escape, restrains his people, and provides shelter.

### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxvi)

Depicted as an imposing, monumental figure who was carried up the hill in his armchair, with immense flintlock pistols, ready to die if the plan failed.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxvii)

Waits immovably on the hillside during the battle, receives news of his son's safety, and then lies down to sleep covered in white sheeting.

### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxviii)

Doramin is the old Bugis chief, anxious about the future and secretly hoping his son will rule Patusan.

### [The Night of Decision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxx)

Sends a trusty servant twice to warn Jim that he cannot guarantee his safety unless he recrosses the river to live among the Bugis.

### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxxi)

Doramin hosts Jim for the day's council; Jim preaches vigorous action to the Bugis community at his campong.

### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxxv)

Mentioned as part of the tableau of characters left behind, described as immense and magnanimous.

### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxxvi)

Doramin agreed to furnish guns for Jim's fort, showing his support for Jim's defensive plans in Patusan.

### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxxviii)

Mentioned as the builder of the mosque; his people fire on Brown's boat.

### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxxix)

Attends the council but remains silent, hesitant to endorse his son's aggressive plan; later orders Dain Waris to a safer post.

### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xl)

Remains unmoved and steadfast, keeping his countrymen together behind the stockade.

### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xlii)

Consults privately with Jim about the course of action, listening as Jim declares his wish for the people's good.

### [Chapter XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xliii)

Doramin consents to Jim's plan after the council, stating that there is no reading of hearts, and agrees to let the whites go.

### [Chapter XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xlv)

Doramin, grieving for his son Dain Waris, shoots Jim in retribution.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/characters/doramin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/characters