# Tamb' Itam — Lord Jim character guide

> Tamb' Itam in Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Tamb, Itam, Meantime Tamb ' Itam, Tambt' Itam

**First appearance:** 0022-xxi

## Snapshot

A dark-faced Malay from the north, once a Rajah's forced paddler, now Jim's morose, fanatically devoted servant and headman of his household.

## Who they are

Tamb' Itam attached himself to Jim after escaping Rajah Allang's service, and his devotion runs to something excessive, almost fanatical, like a shadow that will not be shaken. He treads on his master's heels at state occasions with one hand on his kris, keeping the common people back with brooding truculent glances, and he distinguished himself at the storming of the stockade by a methodical ferocity. When Jim's world begins to crack, it is Tamb' Itam who stands at the door and tells him the truth no one else will speak.

## Relationships

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

_professional_

Tamb' Itam is Jim's loyal servant and confidant, faithfully serving him in Patusan until the tragic end.

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

_professional_

Tamb' Itam is Jim's loyal servant and confidant, faithfully serving him in Patusan until the tragic end.

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

_professional_

Tamb' Itam is Jim's loyal servant and confidant, faithfully serving him in Patusan until the tragic end.

## 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)

Implied as part of Jim's household, though not directly named in this excerpt.

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

Jim's loyal servant, a Malay from the north, who distinguished himself in the fighting and is described as inseparable from Jim.

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

Acts as a grim, devoted guardian to Jim, carrying weapons and patrolling the verandah at night; he speaks little and refers to Cornelius as 'the Nazarene.'

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

Seen as a silhouette following Jim on his evening rounds.

### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxxiv)

Silently paddles the canoe during Marlow's departure.

### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xxxvii)

Found at Stein's house, he repeats 'He would not fight' and appears unable to explain further.

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

Faithful servant who observes Jim's return and later reports the conversations; hopes for fighting but accepts his master's decisions.

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

Tamb' Itam follows Jim, pretends to sleep while watching him, and is entrusted with the mission to deliver Jim's message and ring to Dain Waris.

### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_jim_se/chapters/xliv)

Witnesses the massacre, kills Cornelius, and rushes to bring news to the fort.

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

Tamb' Itam assists Jim, paddles the canoe, and witnesses Jim's final moments.

## Links

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