# Baron Heyst — Victory character guide

> Baron Heyst in Victory by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the late Baron Heyst, Heyst

**First appearance:** 0004-victory

## Who they are

Axel Heyst's deceased father, a Swedish philosopher who shaped his son's detachment.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-i-iv)

Heyst's father, a philosopher who wrote many books and quarreled with his family in Sweden. His death prompted Heyst to leave on his own.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-ii-iii)

Heyst's father, an expatriated Swede and disillusioned thinker, whose influence left Heyst with a profound mistrust of life.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iii-i)

Heyst's deceased father; a bitter contemner of life who advised his son to 'look on—make no sound'; died quietly in his sleep.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iii-iii)

Heyst references his father's portrait and his father's nihilistic philosophy that shaped his worldview.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iii-v)

His portrait hangs in the room; his book 'Storm and Dust' is read by his son, containing reflections on love and nihilism.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/baron_heyst
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters