The Nigger of the Narcissus · Character

Mr. Baker

The Narcissus's chief mate, gruff and watchful, who musters the crew and keeps every man's nose to the grindstone with bloodthirsty grumbling.

supporting

Also known as Baker, aft Mr. Baker

First appearance: I

As a supporting figure in The Nigger of the Narcissus, Mr. Baker is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The first mate, responsible for mustering the crew and maintaining order as the ship prepares to sail.

In the storyThe Nigger of the NarcissusOpen this moment free

Mr. Baker first appears in 0004 i.

With Captain Allistoun (professional): Captain Allistoun and Mr. Baker maintain a formal, efficient working relationship as captain and chief mate. With James Wait (professional): Mr. Baker treats Wait with professional duty but growing suspicion about the genuineness of his illness. With Belfast (professional): Belfast and Mr. Baker interact respectfully, with Baker tolerating Belfast's emotional outbursts over Wait.

See Mr. Baker in The Nigger of the Narcissus Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

12 connections

A slice of how Mr. Baker sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Narcissus crew members

+7 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

This passage marks the dramatic climax because it crystallizes the crew’s collective psychological surrender t…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Captain Allistoun
professional · positive
Captain Allistoun and Mr. How this plays out →
James Wait
professional · ambivalent
Belfast
professional · positive
Mr. Creighton
professional · positive
Donkin
rivalry · negative
James Wait
professional · ambivalent
Captain Allistoun
professional · positive
Captain Allistoun and Mr. How this plays out →
Mr. Creighton
professional · positive
James Wait
professional · ambivalent
Mr. Creighton
professional · positive
Captain Allistoun
professional · positive
Captain Allistoun and Mr. How this plays out →
Belfast
professional · positive

Captain Allistoun
Captain Allistoun and Mr. Baker maintain a formal, efficient working relationship as captain and chief mate.
James Wait
Mr. Baker treats Wait with professional duty but growing suspicion about the genuineness of his illness.
Belfast
Belfast and Mr. Baker interact respectfully, with Baker tolerating Belfast's emotional outbursts over Wait.
Mr. Creighton
Mr. Baker and Mr. Creighton cooperate as officers, with Baker the senior and Creighton the junior.
Donkin
Donkin openly defies Mr. Baker's authority, and Baker responds with contempt and discipline.
James Wait
Mr. Baker treats Wait with professional duty but growing suspicion about the genuineness of his illness.
Captain Allistoun
Captain Allistoun and Mr. Baker maintain a formal, efficient working relationship as captain and chief mate.
Mr. Creighton
Mr. Baker and Mr. Creighton cooperate as officers, with Baker the senior and Creighton the junior.
James Wait
Mr. Baker treats Wait with professional duty but growing suspicion about the genuineness of his illness.
Mr. Creighton
Mr. Baker and Mr. Creighton cooperate as officers, with Baker the senior and Creighton the junior.
Captain Allistoun
Captain Allistoun and Mr. Baker maintain a formal, efficient working relationship as captain and chief mate.
Belfast
Belfast and Mr. Baker interact respectfully, with Baker tolerating Belfast's emotional outbursts over Wait.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mr. Baker in I

In the story

Mr. Baker appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Nigger of the Narcissus
The first mate, responsible for mustering the crew and maintaining order as the ship prepares to sail.
I
Chief mate who musters the crew and confronts James Wait's dramatic arrival.
II
Maintains discipline with gruff but seamanlike manner; reports Wait's disturbance to the captain and prevents a row over cleaning the forecastle.
IV
Exhausted and bloodshot after the storm, he obeys Allistoun's orders to keep the men moving and later stands grimly behind the captain during the confrontation.
V
Mr. Baker is referenced by the boatswain, who complains of being abused by the mate for forgetting to grease the planks.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Baker unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. Baker in I

See Mr. Baker in The Nigger of the Narcissus