# Kassim — Lord Jim character guide

> Kassim in Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** That long-legged old scoundrel Kassim, Meantime Kassim

**First appearance:** 0024-xxiii

## Snapshot

A long-legged old scoundrel whose diplomacy and double-dealing make him useful to whoever is currently holding the advantage in Patusan.

## Who they are

Kassim is the kind of operator who survives by being indispensable to everyone and loyal to no one, the man whose quiet arrangements keep Brown's starving band supplied with the few yams and bananas that stave off collapse. He moves between the Rajah's faction and the intruders with the ease of long practice, and his name is spoken in Patusan with the particular contempt reserved for those who always seem to be standing nearby when something goes wrong. His treachery is the kind that greases the plot's machinery, and the reader learns to watch him whenever the situation looks settled.

## Relationships

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

_rivalry_

Kassim is a manipulative rival who opposes Jim's influence in Patusan and conspires with Brown against him.

### [Tunku Allang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/characters/tunku_allang)

_professional_

Kassim serves as Tunku Allang's advisor and manipulator, exploiting the ruler's weakness to advance his own schemes.

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

_rivalry_

Kassim is a manipulative rival who opposes Jim's influence in Patusan and conspires with Brown against him.

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

_rivalry_

Kassim is a manipulative rival who opposes Jim's influence in Patusan and conspires with Brown against him.

### [Tunku Allang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/characters/tunku_allang)

_professional_

Kassim serves as Tunku Allang's advisor and manipulator, exploiting the ruler's weakness to advance his own schemes.

## In the story

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

Not present in this chapter.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxiv)

Briefly appears as the 'long-legged old scoundrel' who escorts Jim to the Rajah upon his arrival.

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

Represents the Rajah at the council; secretly opens communications with Brown, using Cornelius as interpreter.

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

Engages in double-dealing diplomacy with Brown, warns Dain Waris, and tries to keep the Bugis forces divided.

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

Kassim attends the council, is cold-shouldered, but professes delight when Jim occupies the Rajah's stockade, and later speaks loudly of protecting the Rajah's property.

## Links

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