# Captain Mitchell — Nostromo character guide

> Captain Mitchell in Nostromo by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Joseph Mitchell, Joe Mitchell, señor Mitchell

**First appearance:** 0003-nostromo

## Snapshot

The pompous, garrulous superintendent of the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company, who refers everything to himself and understands almost nothing.

## Who they are

Captain Mitchell bustles through Sulaco's crises with the self-importance of a man who believes he is at the center of events, signing papers, giving orders, and narrating his own heroism to anyone who will listen. Nostromo manages him with weary contempt, winding the old seaman around his little finger while fearing his indiscretion. His fussy vanity is comic, but it also measures the gap between the Europeans' self-image and the real forces moving beneath them.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/ii)

Narrates the escape of President Ribiera and praises Nostromo's bravery and leadership.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/v)

Steers the cargo lighter and hosts the convite on the Juno.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/ii)

Supervises the embarkation, red-faced and conspicuous in a white waistcoat, representing the 'material interests of civilization'.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/ii)

Captured and interrogated by Sotillo; remains defiant and proud of his role in saving the silver.

### [The Solitude of Martin Decoud and the Regenerated Sulaco](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/x)

Captain Mitchell, now a prominent figure in regenerated Sulaco, recounts the historical events of the revolution to visitors, showing pride in his role and the city's transformation.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/chapters/xii)

Mentioned as having the power to nominate the lighthouse keeper, and he arranges for Viola to get the position at Nostromo's request.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters/captain_mitchell
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nostromo_se/characters