# Belfast — The Nigger of the Narcissus character guide

> Belfast in The Nigger of the Narcissus by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Little Belfast, Emotional little Belfast, illogical Belfast, Absurd little Belfast

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Who they are

A hot-tempered, tenderhearted sailor whose fierce devotion to the dying Wait turns him gentle as a nurse and dangerous as a brawler.

## Relationships

### [James Wait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/characters/james_wait)

_psychological_

Belfast is obsessively devoted to nursing and protecting the dying Wait, driven by pity and a need for purpose.

### [Donkin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/characters/donkin)

_rivalry_

Belfast despises Donkin for his cruelty toward Wait and his disruptive influence on the crew.

### [Archie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/characters/archie)

_friendship_

Archie and Belfast share a quiet, loyal camaraderie as fellow sailors and moral anchors among the crew.

### [Old Singleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/characters/old_singleton)

_friendship_

Belfast respects Singleton's wisdom and experience, often seeking his counsel or comfort.

### [Mr. Baker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/characters/mr_baker)

_professional_

Belfast and Mr. Baker interact respectfully, with Baker tolerating Belfast's emotional outbursts over Wait.

### [Captain Allistoun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/characters/captain_allistoun)

_professional_

Belfast respects Captain Allistoun's authority but clashes with him emotionally over the treatment of Wait.

### [James Wait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/characters/james_wait)

_psychological_

Belfast is obsessively devoted to nursing and protecting the dying Wait, driven by pity and a need for purpose.

### [Donkin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/characters/donkin)

_rivalry_

Belfast despises Donkin for his cruelty toward Wait and his disruptive influence on the crew.

### [James Wait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/characters/james_wait)

_psychological_

Belfast is obsessively devoted to nursing and protecting the dying Wait, driven by pity and a need for purpose.

### [Old Singleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/characters/old_singleton)

_friendship_

Belfast respects Singleton's wisdom and experience, often seeking his counsel or comfort.

### [Donkin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/characters/donkin)

_rivalry_

Belfast despises Donkin for his cruelty toward Wait and his disruptive influence on the crew.

### [Captain Allistoun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/characters/captain_allistoun)

_professional_

Belfast respects Captain Allistoun's authority but clashes with him emotionally over the treatment of Wait.

## In the story

### [The Nigger of the Narcissus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/chapters/the-nigger-of-the-narcissus)

An emotional and compassionate sailor who shows immediate concern for James Wait's condition.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/chapters/i)

Little, fiery seaman who romantically abuses the ship to impress new hands.

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

Emotionally reacts to Wait's taunts, groaning and crying out; deeply affected by Wait's presence.

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

Belfast shows devoted tenderness toward Jimmy in his cabin, but outside he is irritable, brutal, and sorrowful.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/characters/belfast
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/characters