Lord Jim Summary

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Here you will find a Lord Jim summary (Joseph Conrad's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.

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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024

Lord Jim Summary Overview

The narrative follows the life of Jim, a promising young seaman who ascends swiftly through the ranks to become a chief mate. Jim dreams of heroism and adventure, nurtured by his fondness for maritime literature, but has never contended with tangible danger. His test arrives when the ship he is aboard, the Patna, transporting Muslim pilgrims to Mecca, hits an underwater obstacle and starts to take on water. Panicked by an approaching storm, the crew, including Jim, deserts the ship and leaves its passengers to their fate. The Patna, however, survives the incident and the crew faces a formal inquest by their peers. It is during this process that Jim loses his officer's certification and first crosses paths with Marlow. Marlow, recognizing a kindred spirit or perhaps seeing his own fears reflected in Jim, forms an uneasy friendship with him. Through Marlow's connections, Jim finds work but is unable to escape his past. Every mention of the Patna incident sends him fleeing, necessitating Marlow's assistance. Eventually, with the aid of Stein, an expatriate trader, Jim is appointed as the manager of a trading post in the isolated region of Patusan. Captured initially by one of the local factions, Jim manages to escape and finally earns his heroic status by defeating a local bandit. He subsequently falls in love with Jewel, the half-native stepdaughter of the previous post manager, and becomes the spiritual leader of the Patusan people, entrusted with maintaining order and justice. However, his past resurfaces once more with the arrival of Gentleman Brown, a pirate, and his crew seeking supplies. In the ensuing conflict, Brown retreats to a hilltop. Cornelius, Jewel's stepfather and Jim's predecessor, resentful of Jim's success, enters into a conspiracy with Brown and a group of dissatisfied Patusan locals. Unaware of this plot, Jim lets Brown leave peacefully. Led by Cornelius, Brown launches an attack, killing Dain Waris, Jim's closest ally's son. Realizing that he cannot outrun his past, Jim, despite Jewel's pleas, confronts Doramin, the bereaved father, who ultimately kills him. All these events and the life of Jim are painstakingly pieced together by Marlow, who later shares the account with a group of friends, leaving the story unfinished until the events fully unfold.

chapter 1

Meet Jim, a young "water-clerk" working in various Southeast Asian ports. He's in charge of supplying drinkable water and other necessities to ships before they sail. He's a remarkable and generally well-received guy, but quite enigmatic to those around him. Luckily, our sharp narrator has more information. Delving into Jim's history, we learn he was brought up in an English vicarage. With no chance of inheriting family property due to his birth position, he opted for a life at sea. Although his initial career is largely uneventful, it's tarnished by a single incident when he fails to participate in a sea rescue.

chapter 2

Years later, Jim serves as a mate on a respectable ship. During a storm, he's injured by a falling spear which lands him in the hospital and prompts his ship to leave him behind. Once healed, Jim takes up a less strenuous position on the Patna, a very old and rusting steamer, described as "a local steamer as old as the hills, lean like a greyhound, and eaten up with rust worse than a condemned water-tank." On this decaying vessel, Jim leads a relaxed life. The ship's crew, a mix of non-hardworking individuals, demands little work from Jim. Their job is to safely transport Muslim pilgrims to Mecca in good weather conditions.

chapter 3

During a peaceful evening, Jim is on duty on the Patna, his mind drifting, when he's disrupted by a spat between the ship's corpulent German captain and the tipsy second engineer. The dispute hints at impending problems, a prediction that becomes reality when the ship hits an unknown object. The incident leaves the crew shocked and questioning the deceptive stability of their calm surroundings: "They could not understand; and suddenly the calm sea, the sky without a cloud, appeared formidably insecure in their immobility, as if poised on the brow of destruction."

chapter 4

Moving forward in time, we see Jim providing a testimony in a legal hearing about the earlier Patna incident. He discloses that a post-incident study of the ship revealed a structural damage. The court thinks Jim is being overly descriptive and tells him to be more concise. Suddenly, Jim's focus shifts to an unknown white man present in the courtroom. This man is later identified as Marlow, who turns out to be the new narrator of the story.

chapter 5

Marlow, in a laid-back post-meal ambiance, begins to narrate a story to a group of anonymous listeners. The narration, filled with detailed accounts of the infamous Patna incident, starts with Marlow's initial recognition of the situation and his observation of the crew members at the harbor office. Captain Elliot, the harbor master, reprimands the captain of Patna, who then quickly eludes any immediate accountability. Marlow, however, is drawn to Jim, who stands out from his peers. Other events include the second engineer being admitted to the hospital with a broken arm and the chief engineer's drunken state. When Marlow visits the hospital, he tries to talk to the chief engineer. The engineer, going through severe withdrawal symptoms, refers to the Patna as full of "reptiles," causing Marlow to leave in haste.

chapter 6

The story's attention pivots to the enigmatic Captain Brierly, viewed through Marlow's perspective. Despite being an esteemed seaman, Brierly's unexpected suicide prompts puzzlement. Marlow speculates that Brierly's empathy for Jim's situation might have led to his death. Jones, Brierly's friend, also finds the suicide perplexing. The narrative then shifts back to the current matter: Jim's trial for his actions on the Patna. Brierly, deeply unsettled by the proceedings, hopes Jim will elude trial and prevent further damage to the sailors' reputation. Marlow exits the courtroom and overhears a casual remark about a "wretched cur," which Jim misinterprets as an insult towards him. After sorting out the confusion, Marlow asks Jim to join him for a meal.

chapter 7

Jim relays the happenings that triggered the Patna incident over a meal. He is certain that the ship was doomed after the crash. Interrupting, Marlow clarifies that the Patna's crew was found adrift, while the ship itself did not sink. It thus becomes evident that the crew left the ship and its passengers behind, stirring up controversy. Switching back to Jim's tale, he confesses to being frozen with terror and unable to alert the passengers of the imagined impending disaster.

chapter 8

In a state of panic, Jim aims for the few available lifeboats, alarmingly not warning the passengers of the imminent danger. A water-seeking beggar interrupts him, leading Jim to attack the man in fear. The crew members quietly ready the lifeboat, choosing their safety over that of the passengers. Jim poses a hypothetical question to Marlow about his possible actions under similar circumstances. Briefly, the narrative touches on the fate of the neglected passengers and the Malay helmsmen who testified against the crew, implying potential bias in the crew's decisions.

chapter 9

Jim proceeds to tell his tale, describing the derision he faced from his crewmates amid the lifeboat crisis. His fear escalates as he grapples with his impending death and the possible mutiny from rousing passengers. An impending storm further intensifies the disastrous situation. Eventually, the crew manages to set the lifeboat afloat. In the ensuing turmoil, George, the third engineer, succumbs to a heart attack. The rest of the crew, including Jim, leaps into the lifeboat.

chapter 10

The crew in the lifeboat grapple with a tempest, soon cloaked in obscurity as the Patna's lights disappear, leading them to conclude the ship has gone under. Marlow, however, clarifies that whilst the lights did extinguish, the Patna was still above water. Jim shares his agonizing ordeal in the lifeboat, deliberately disregarding the crew's efforts to concoct a unified narrative. In response to Jim's skepticism regarding Marlow’s trust in his narrative, Marlow reassures him.

chapter 11

Marlow's thoughtful reflections on the ocean transition into a complex dialogue with Jim on the subjects of morality and salvation. Jim retains optimism for the possibility of making amends for his past deeds, but Marlow questions his true intentions.

chapter 12

Marlow's storytelling becomes increasingly complex due to his predictions and tangents. His conversation with a French officer discloses that the Patna, the vessel under discussion, was in fact rescued. This contradicts the previous tale of abandonment and disaster.

chapter 13

Jim's integrity is further scrutinized as he rejects Marlow's proposal for a getaway, choosing instead to confront a trial. This suggests an internal conflict and a certain level of moral obligation within Jim.

chapter 14

Jim faces public humiliation when he loses his officer certification. During this time, Marlow comes across Chester and Captain Robinson, who propose a morally dubious occupation for Jim. However, Marlow prevents Jim from falling into this possible misfortune.

chapter 15

Marlow, although uncertain, pledges to help Jim secure a job, indicating a feeling of obligation and possibly belief in Jim's ability to reform.

chapter 16

Jim's prospects brighten slightly, according to Marlow, who reveals that Jim has found a degree of tranquility in a remote, pastoral setting. The story becomes more intricate with the introduction of a new character, Chester.

chapter 17

Marlow and Jim find themselves in a tense conversation. Jim is taken aback by Marlow's generosity, yet their communication is clumsy, echoing the intricacy of their bond.

chapter 18

Jim takes on a water-clerk role with optimism. However, bumping into the Patna's second engineer reignites his past traumas, pushing him to run away again.

chapter 19

Jim's habitual tendency to avoid accountability continues to adversely affect his standing. This constant inability to take responsibility finally prompts Marlow to seek guidance from his friend Stein.

chapter 20

Stein, a figure with a wealthy past and a profound understanding, hears Jim's tale and decides to aid him. This presents a new possible path for Jim's salvation, though the result remains unknown.

chapter 21

Stein puts forward the proposition for Jim to assume charge of a Patusan trading outpost, presently under the inefficient leadership of Cornelius. Here, Marlow introspectively considers his bond with Jim, divulging that Jim's future holds prosperity in Patusan.

chapter 22

Marlow presents a picture of Patusan and its prominent figures, featuring the powerless sultan and the actual sovereign, Rajah Allang. In a session with Stein, they lay out this potential venture to Jim, who shows enthusiasm to embark on it.

chapter 23

In haste, Jim sets off to Patusan. He receives farewell presents from Stein and Marlow, among them a revolver which he neglects to load. This oversight brings a smile to Marlow's face and inadvertently urges the boatmen to hasten their rowing, under the misapprehension that the firearm is loaded.

chapter 24

A couple of years down the line, Marlow arrives in Patusan to find Jim celebrated as a respected figure and addressed as Tuan Jim. Initially, Jim found himself held captive by Rajah Allang, but he managed to escape his grasp in due course.

chapter 25

Jim recounts to Marlow his evasion and the assistance he received from Doramin, a respected individual on the island and an ally of Stein.

chapter 26

The section provides insight into Doramin, his offspring Dain Waris, and the Bugis tribe they belong to. Jim devises a plan to neutralize the danger presented by Sherif Ali, leading to a conflict.

chapter 27

Jim manages to defeat Ali, earning him the status of a hero on the island. Many even begin to believe that he has extraordinary, otherworldly powers.

chapter 28

Doramin begins to worry about the increasing influence of Jim. Details about Jewel, the woman who has captured Jim's heart, are revealed. She's the child of Cornelius, the individual whose position was taken over by Jim.

chapter 29

Marlow ponders over Jim's predicament while observing the defensive demeanor of Jewel and Tamb' Itam. Upon discovering a planned assassination by the Rajah, Jim decides to remain, regardless of the evident risk.

chapter 30

Jim becomes aware of the Rajah's intended plot to kill him, heightening the stress. Cornelius extends a hand offering Jim a way out, but Jim declines. His situation heavily impacts him, prompting him to lash out at Cornelius.

chapter 31

Jewel rouses Jim, warning him of an assassination plan masterminded by Cornelius. They successfully prevent the assailants' attack, with Jewel taking down one of them with a gunshot.

chapter 32

Jim and Jewel form a love bond following their evasion of an assassination plot. On the other hand, Marlow is dubious about Jim's alleged reformation.

chapter 33

Jewel probes Marlow regarding Jim's real character, unmasking her own dark history in the process. She staunchly dismisses Marlow's assertion that Jim doesn't deserve her.

chapter 34

As Marlow prepares to depart from Patusan, he finds himself confronted by Cornelius, who attempts to extract money for the upkeep of Jewel in Jim's absence. However, Marlow is quick to pacify him with the assurance that Jim has no plans of leaving.

chapter 35

Marlow parts ways with Jim in Patusan, a farewell brimming with emotion. This represents the final occasion Marlow lays eyes on him.

chapter 36

Marlow, after a lapse of two years, pens down letters to one of the listeners from his narration, with the intent of rounding out the narrative about Jim's existence.

chapter 37

Through Marlow's correspondence, we learn about a sickly pirate known as Gentleman Brown, who holds crucial information about Jim. There's a suggestion of a tragic conclusion in Marlow's account of spotting Jewel and Tamb’ Itam at Stein’s residence from afar.

chapter 38

Brown, an unlucky pirate, sails to Patusan in search of simple plunder. Unfortunately for him, he encounters ready and unfriendly locals.

chapter 39

Dain Waris is unsuccessful in his attempts to overcome Brown. The Rajah Allang and Kassim, his counselor, align themselves with Brown to oppose Jim. To ensnare Brown, Dain Waris, who is a friend of Jim, organizes a plot.

chapter 40

Tensions rise when a villager is shot by Brown's crew. The sound of drums implies Jim's return, leading Cornelius to propose the murder of Jim to Brown.

chapter 41

Choosing to ignore Cornelius's advice to kill Jim, Brown instead elects to converse with him. Their conversation is fraught with tension as they discuss their individual circumstances. Brown confesses his arrival at Patusan was driven by a desire to avoid jail and starvation, a confession that strikes a chord with Jim.

chapter 42

Upon their departure, Jim assures Brown that he will be released or will face a battle. He seeks counsel from Doramin, advocating for Brown's freedom to prevent further violence, but finds no agreement. Disheartened, Jim steps back from the issue, entrusting it to Dain Waris.

chapter 43

At last, Doramin concurs with Jim's viewpoint and elects to grant Brown a secure exit. Overwhelmed by his choice, Jim dispatches Cornelius to inform Brown of his freedom to depart. However, Cornelius tricks Brown, leaving out the critical detail that Dain Waris won't strike, and even leads him directly to Dain Waris's troops' location.

chapter 44

Guided by Cornelius, Brown ventures downstream. Meanwhile, Tamb' Itam hurries to Dain Waris with a message from Jim. However, he arrives too late as Dain Waris falls victim to an ambush led by Brown's crew. Managing to evade the same fate, Tamb' Itam exacts vengeance on Cornelius for his betrayal, before rushing to share the grim news with Jim.

chapter 45

When Jim learns of the recent events, he is devastated and does not stand up for himself, despite Jewel's pleas. Dain Waris's body is brought in and Doramin sees his son is wearing Jim's silver ring. Realizing this token of treachery, Doramin fires his gun at Jim, resulting in his death. Marlow then closes the sorrowful tale of Jim with some concluding reflections.

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