# Wang — Victory character guide > Wang in Victory by Joseph Conrad. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** the practical and automatic Wang, a vanishing Wang, Mr. Wang, the silent Wang **First appearance:** 0004-victory ## Snapshot Heyst's Chinese servant on Samburan, whose tidy stewardship and blunt 'Me go now' announce a self-preserving retreat from the white men gathering on the island. ## Who they are Wang keeps Heyst's bungalow running with meticulous calm, announcing that cups, plates, and forks are all 'plopel' even as he declares his intention to leave. He has quietly pocketed Heyst's revolver and cartridges, spooked less by abstract danger than by the hairy, fanged Pedro, whom he cannot classify as human. His refusal to stay makes the island's isolation suddenly feel fragile, forcing Heyst to reckon with a world arriving uninvited. ## Relationships ### [Axel Heyst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/axel_heyst) _professional_ Wang is Heyst's Chinese servant on the island, loyal but pragmatic, eventually fleeing when danger arrives. ### [Lena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/lena) _social_ Lena and Wang have a distant, wary coexistence as inhabitants of Heyst's island household. ### [Axel Heyst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/axel_heyst) _professional_ Wang is Heyst's Chinese servant on the island, loyal but pragmatic, eventually fleeing when danger arrives. ### [Lena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/lena) _social_ Lena and Wang have a distant, wary coexistence as inhabitants of Heyst's island household. ### [Lena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/lena) _social_ Lena and Wang have a distant, wary coexistence as inhabitants of Heyst's island household. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iii-i) Chinese former mess-room boy who chooses to stay on Samburan; takes an Alfuro wife and lives at the edge of the forest; collects keys and manages domestic arrangements. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iii-ii) Has cleared the ground by burning grass, fetches Heyst's and Lena's belongings, and listens to their voices with curiosity. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iii-iii) Heyst mentions Wang, the Chinese servant on Samburan, and wonders about his thoughts. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iii-v) Briefly glimpsed vanishing on the verandah; later serves a meal silently. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iii-vi) Wang reports the arrival of a boat with three white men, leading Heyst to the jetty. He assists by fetching a crowbar. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iii-vii) Wang follows Heyst's orders, operates the water tap, and later runs the trolley for luggage. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iii-viii) Wang precedes Heyst with the lantern and then runs off, which Heyst notes as unusual behavior for him. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iii-ix) Suspected by Heyst of stealing the revolver; described as quiet and shadow-like. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iii-x) Mentioned as a potential obstacle; Ricardo considers him a threat to their plans. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iv-i) Seen picking flowers outside the bungalow, then disappears inside. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iv-iii) Wang is outside the house, and his presence blocks Ricardo's escape through the back; he is called by Heyst to bring coffee. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iv-iv) Wang is determined to leave, having stolen the revolver out of fear of Pedro and the other white men. He refuses to return the revolver and departs. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iv-v) Has left the island after warning Heyst about 'two' and stealing his revolver. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iv-vii) Subject of Heyst's warning; Ricardo suspects him of being part of a plot. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iv-viii) Wang's hut is found empty, and later he appears at the barricade with a revolver, his face visible through the leaves, indicating he has fortified his position. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iv-x) Wang is mentioned as a potential refuge for Lena if she needs to escape to the barricade. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iv-xiv) Wang helps Davidson investigate the aftermath, having shot Pedro and cast the boat adrift. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/wang - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters