Lord Jim: Chapter 37 Summary & Analysis

Marlow’s letter continues. He tells the privileged reader about the end of Jim’s story, which begins with a man named Brown who steals a Spanish schooner. Marlow speaks to Brown—who is notorious and known as Gentleman Brown—after the fact, as Brown is dying in Bangkok.

Eight months before Marlow meets Brown, he goes to see Stein in Samarang (in Indonesia). At Stein’s place, he sees a Malay the he remembers seeing earlier at Jim’s house in Patusan. Jim had pointed out the man and said he was a respectable trader. Marlow goes on and sees Tamb’ Itam. He asks Tamb’ Itam if Tuan Jim is also there, but Tamb’ Itam simply says “He would not fight” twice.

Stein comes out to greet Marlow and stays that the girl (Jewel) is also there, though she is too frightened to say anything to Stein. Stein stays since the girl won’t talk to him, Marlow should talk to her and try to get her to forgive Jim.

When Marlow goes to the part of the house where Jewel is staying, she recognizes him at once. She says Jim left her after all, despite what Marlow promised. She says it would’ve been easy for her to die with him, but he wouldn’t allow it. She tells about how when Jim got passionate about something, it was like he was blind or in a dream. She can’t forgive Jim for leaving her for a dream.

Marlow sees Jewel a second time on his visit to Stein. She’s walking with Stein. She says Jim was false, just like the others, but Stein gets frustrated and tries to explain how Jim was true. Marlow eventually leaves Stein’s place, taking Tamb’ Itam and the Bugis trader with him (since they are headed in the same direction). This is where Marlow’s first letter ends. The privileged reader flips over to Marlow’s longer narrative letter.