The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet

Main Characters and Their Development

• Jacob de Zoet - a young clerk of the Dutch East India Company who arrives on the island of Dejima in Nagasaki. He is an honest and principled man, striving for justice. Throughout the narrative, Jacob encounters corruption and moral dilemmas, forcing him to reconsider his views and beliefs.
• Orito Abigai - a Japanese midwife working on Dejima. She is intelligent, independent, and possesses a strong character. Her relationship with Jacob de Zoet plays a significant role in her life, and she must balance her feelings with her duty to her family and society.
• Uriah Ebenhauser - a colleague of Jacob, who is the opposite of the main character. He is corrupt and willing to do anything for his own gain. His actions and intrigues create numerous obstacles for Jacob.
• Abbot Enom - a mysterious and influential leader of a Buddhist monastery who plays a crucial role in the Japanese part of the plot. His motives and actions significantly impact the fates of other characters, including Orito and Jacob.