Lord Jim (1900) by Joseph Conrad — novel #255

He [Jim] was running. Absolutely running, with nowhere to go to. And he was not yet four-and-twenty.

• by Joseph Conrad
• Modernist, Psychological novel, British novel
• Published: 1900
• My edition: Project Gutenberg Free Book (eBook)
• Setting: South Seas, Malay Archipelago, late 19^th century
• Also by this author (that I’ve read): Nostromo, Heart of Darkness

Jim, not yet “Lord Jim,” is a young Englishman, son of a parson, just beginning a promising career at sea. He is quietly confident, capable, and the very image of a man who inspires trust. Then one split-second decision aboard the Patna—a moment of treachery from the sea—shatters everything. That single failure will haunt him for the rest of his life.

 

Jim knows, with perfect and painful clarity, that this one dreadful moment is not the true measure of his soul. Yet he also knows the stigma will deny him any easy chance at redemption.

 

Captain Marlow, at first a detached observer, becomes the novel’s primary narrator and eventually Jim’s friend and advocate. Through Marlow’s layered, reflective storytelling, we follow Jim’s restless search for a place where he can prove his worth.

 

Marlow tries to help Jim escape his past—sometimes in spite of Jim himself. As Marlow reflects: 

…it is my belief no man ever understands quite his own artful dodges to escape from the grim shadow of self-knowledge.

 

I ached for Jim and found myself cheering Marlow’s efforts at redemption, even as I sometimes feared it might be hopeless, just as Marlow did.

Which of us here has not observed this, or maybe experienced something of that feeling in his own person—this extreme weariness of emotions, the vanity of effort, the yearning for rest? Those striving with unreasonable forces know it well,—the shipwrecked castaways in boats, wanderers lost in a desert, men battling against the unthinking might of nature, or the stupid brutality of crowds.

 

It’s a marvelous yarn—perhaps my favorite by Conrad yet. He writes what I call a thinking man’s adventure: morally complex, with themes of honor, redemption, self-identity, loyalty, and the painful denial (or possibility) of second chances. There are pirates, tempestuous seas, remote islands, and a beautiful girl, but the real drama is internal.

 

Conrad’s prose is beautiful and evocative, especially considering English was his third language, as the following passage, even without context (something to do with the girl) will show: 

The starlight was good enough for that story, a light so faint and remote that it cannot resolve shadows into shapes, and show the other shore of a stream.

 

Or this near the end of Lord Jim (this might seem a major spoiler; don't take every word literally). 

He [Jim] passes away under a cloud, inscrutable at heart, forgotten, unforgiven, and excessively romantic

 

My rating 4/5 stars

 

 

This is title 24 of 50 for The Classics Club Challenge Round IV

 

Lord Jim is my favorite by Conrad so far. Have you read it? What are your thoughts on Conrad in general?

. 

Nostromo, A Tale of the Seaboard by Joseph Conrad (44 down 56 to go)

A story of treasure, that was paid for…with the soul of a woman, and the life of a man…

This is the first time I’ve read Nostromo. It is a realist novel, third-person narrative about the scheme to save the silver treasure of the San Tome mine. It is set in a fictional South American country in the late 19th century.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This novel satisfies square G3 of 2015 Classics Bingo: Adventure Classic

Nostromo takes place in the fictitious South American country of Costaguana. The title character, Nostromo, is a nickname given to Giovanni Battista Fidanza, an Italian sailor who has settled in Sulaco and become Capataz de Cargadores or head longshoreman. It is a story of ambition, idealism, patriotism, corruption, ego, loyalty, and betrayal.

Sulaco is an Occidental Province, isolated from the rest of Costaguana by mountains and the sea. Nostromo has nearly universal respect of the citizens of Sulaco. To his superiors, he is a trusted agent of unquestioned ability and integrity. To the sailors and general population, he commands respect and admiration, and perhaps a little fear. He was…

a man for whom the value of life seems to consist in personal prestige. 

...who had lived his own life on the assumption of unbroken fidelity, rectitude, and courage! 

However, he is not among the official leaders of Sulaco. The principal character is Charles Gould or don Carlos, the Costaguana born, Englishman and owner/operator of the San Tome silver mine. That might conjure up an image of an aloof and exploitative European, stealing the riches of the land with no regard for the inhabitants, but that would be a false image. Gould is known affectionately as the King of Sulaco, (Rey de Sulaco). He is a fair to his employees, benevolent to the community, and a Costaguanero and idealist at heart. He envisions the wealth of the San Tome mine bringing stability and prosperity to Costaguana. The mine makes a major concession to the government, so it operates to the mutual benefit of all involved.

Until the revolution.

Control of the mine becomes the objective of the two ruthless brothers and leaders of a military revolution. The isolation of Sulaco, buys some time for Gould and others to plan a daring exploit to smuggle the horde of silver out, and then to enlist internal and external support in hopes of making Sulaco a separate nation, independent of the rest of Costaguana. The plot requires a man of exceptional ability and courage…namely Nostromo. He would make it...

the most famous and desperate affair of my life…

Of course, things don’t go exactly as planned.

The story starts a bit slow, though it was well worth it. Conrad creates such intriguing and believable characters I was concerned for their safety and felt a patriotic fervor for their beloved and beleaguered Sulaco. Besides Nostromo and Gould, there is Don José Avellanos a leading citizen who suffered cruelly under a previous dictator, who is now unwaveringly devoted to Gould; Avellanos' beautiful daughter Antonia and her fiancé Martin Decoud, who masterminds the plot to save the silver. Decoud has an ulterior motive: not a bad one, not an evil one, just not about the silver, or independence. Then there is the aged Dr. Monygham who also suffered under a previous regime, and now holds very little dear except doña Emilia Gould, the gracious and kind hearted wife of Charles Gould. She was my favorite character. She reminded me a bit of my wife.

And finally, the mysterious Isabels. I'll spare their role in the tale, and let you discover it yourself. It's a very enjoyable story with fascinating characters, exotic lands, intrigue and treasure. You can hardly go wrong with treasure.

In Italian, Nostromo literally means boatswain, but it may also be a corruption of nostro uomo, meaning “our man”. Both meanings fit nicely, and are most likely an intentional play on words by Conrad.

The version of Nostromo I own is illustrated by Paul Hogarth. Below is his rendering of the illustrious title character.

Excerpts:

Of course, government anywhere, is a thing of exquisite comicality to a discerning mind

In the most skeptical heart there lurks at such moments, when the chances of existence are involved, a desire to leave a correct impression of the feelings, like a light by which the action may be seen when personality is gone, gone where no light of investigation can ever reach the truth which every death takes out of the world.

The mere presence of a coward, however passive, brings an element of treachery into a dangerous situation.

To him, as to all of us, the compromises with his conscience appeared uglier than ever in the light of failure.

Narrative describing Emilia Gould: 

...she resembled a good fairy, weary with a long career of well-doing

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (20 down, 80 to go)

Destiny. My destiny! Droll thing life is - that mysterious arrangement of merciless logic for a futile purpose. The most you can hope from it is some knowledge of yourself - that comes too late - a crop of unextinguishable regrets. ~ Charles Marlow

This is the first time I’ve read Heart of Darkness or Joseph Conrad. The story is a novella by most standards, written in the realism style, and is the first-person narrative of Charles Marlow of his expedition up the Congo River sometime in the late nineteenth century, British imperial Africa. 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 

Heart of Darkness is an interesting story and well told, but I'm a bit perplexed as to why it is considered great? I have a theory. The epic film Apocalypse Now, based on Heart of Darkness, is certainly considered a masterpiece, nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Picture. I believe most of the top novel lists that include Heart of Darkness were compiled well after Apocalypse Now was released. I suspect the novel may enjoy some acclaim due to the film. Just a theory, and don't misunderstand me; It's a fine piece of literature, I'm just not convinced it deserves such high honors.

Charles Marlow, is the steamboat captain leading an expedition up the Congo River. The expedition, a commercial enterprise of an ivory trading company, was to extract an important agent of the company, Mr. Kurtz, who was reportedly very ill, and becoming something of a rogue. Marlow, experiences bureaucratic and logistical delays before getting underway, and hazards on the trip as one would expect in late 19th Century Africa.

Marlow becomes obsessed with Kurtz, even before he meets him. This is partially explained as Marlow learns of Kurtz from others in the company. Some speak directly to Marlow about Kurtz, and at other times he overhears conversations not intended for him. Kurtz is the most successful of the company's agents, nearly a legend for producing more ivory than all the others combined. Like most successful people, he inspires jealousy in those desirous to supplant him, and praise from those seeking his favor, knowing he is destined for greater influence in the company. As a steamship captain Marlow is aloof to the political workings of other employees, but what he learns of Kurtz causes him to be fascinated by the enigmatic persona.

I found this a bit implausible. I can understand why others revered, feared, or despised Kurtz, but I found it unbelievable that Marlow was so easily impressed as he was otherwise rather pragmatic and stoic. When he finally meets Kurtz, Marlow is further impressed, as he realizes that Kurtz is something of a deity to the natives, and ruler of a small domain. He also perceives that Kurtz has gone mad. Marlow seems to vacillate between awe and contempt from this point. There's more, as you can imagine, regarding the journey back, but I will spare the spoiler.

There are underlying themes of civilization vs savagery, racism, and imperialism, but mostly issues we've moved well past by now. At any rate, I read for the story, not for the author's social commentary. So, excuse me if I don't delve further.

Marlow on reading a bit of Kurtz' writing regarding his life with the savages:

The peroration was magnificent, though difficult to remember, you know. It gave me the notion of an exotic immensity ruled by an august Benevolence.

Film Renditions: As I stated earlier Apocalypse Now, starring Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando is a modern adaptation of Heart of Darkness. The time and setting is changed to Vietnam and Cambodia, late 20th Century. I watched it again after reading the book, and I found the movie was indeed more powerful than the book. There is also a film based more closely on the book. I hope to watch that soon as well.

.