# Mr. Baker — The Nigger of the Narcissus character guide

> Mr. Baker in The Nigger of the Narcissus by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Baker, aft Mr. Baker

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Who they are

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

## Relationships

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

_professional_

Captain Allistoun and Mr. Baker maintain a formal, efficient working relationship as captain and chief mate.

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

_professional_

Mr. Baker treats Wait with professional duty but growing suspicion about the genuineness of his illness.

### [Belfast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/characters/belfast)

_professional_

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

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

_professional_

Mr. Baker and Mr. Creighton cooperate as officers, with Baker the senior and Creighton the junior.

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

_rivalry_

Donkin openly defies Mr. Baker's authority, and Baker responds with contempt and discipline.

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

_professional_

Mr. Baker treats Wait with professional duty but growing suspicion about the genuineness of his illness.

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

_professional_

Captain Allistoun and Mr. Baker maintain a formal, efficient working relationship as captain and chief mate.

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

_professional_

Mr. Baker and Mr. Creighton cooperate as officers, with Baker the senior and Creighton the junior.

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

_professional_

Mr. Baker treats Wait with professional duty but growing suspicion about the genuineness of his illness.

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

_professional_

Mr. Baker and Mr. Creighton cooperate as officers, with Baker the senior and Creighton the junior.

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

_professional_

Captain Allistoun and Mr. Baker maintain a formal, efficient working relationship as captain and chief mate.

### [Belfast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/characters/belfast)

_professional_

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

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

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

Chief mate who musters the crew and confronts James Wait's dramatic arrival.

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

Maintains discipline with gruff but seamanlike manner; reports Wait's disturbance to the captain and prevents a row over cleaning the forecastle.

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

Mr. Baker is referenced by the boatswain, who complains of being abused by the mate for forgetting to grease the planks.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nigger_of_the_narcissus_se/characters/mr_baker
- 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