Joseph Conrad: Life, Literature, and Narrative Style
J. Conrad: Biography and Works
Early Life and Background
Joseph Conrad was born in Russia; his parents were both involved in the Polish struggle for independence. His father was a poet and translator. His parents died when J. Conrad was a boy, and then he lived with his uncle. He left Poland, where he became a trainee seaman for the French merchant service.
Career and Writing
He joined the British Merchant Navy and followed the career of a professional seaman; he married. Conrad wrote in English although it was not his first language. The subject matter of Conrad’s fiction deals with the sea, colonialism, and politics.
Major Works
His most important works include:
- Almayer's Folly
- Heart of Darkness
- Lord Jim
- Nostromo
- The Mirror of the Sea
- The Secret Agent
- Under Western Eyes
- Chance
- The Shadow-Line
Narrative Techniques in Conrad's Stories
The Role of the Narrator
The narrative technique of the story employs multiple layers of narration:
- The most important narrator is Marlow.
- Parts of the story are then retold and commented on by one of Marlow's audience on the Nellie.
- Other narrators include the manager, the agent, the Russian, etc.
Each narrator has his own perspective on events and characters; the reader has to interpret each version of the story. The conclusion he reaches is that the truth cannot be reached.
Impressionism
Another narrative technique that Conrad uses is that of impressionism. This term was used by Ford Madox Ford, a novelist who collaborated with Conrad early in his career. This technique consists of representing reality as it is experienced, rather than trying to describe it objectively.
Vocabulary Notes
Key vocabulary terms:
- Yawl: Barco de dos mástiles (Two-masted boat)
- Anchored: Atracado (Moored)
- Greed: Avaricia (Avarice)
- Busy: Ocupado (Engaged)
- Fellows: Hombres (Men)
- Trading business: Negocios (Commerce)
- Profit: Beneficio (Gain)
- Odd: Rara (Strange)
- Steamer: Barco de vapor (Steamship)
- Mass: Grupo (Crowd)
- Remarkable: Extraordinario (Exceptional)
- Hut: Refugio (Shelter)
- Chief: Jefe (Leader)
- Rivets: Remache (Fastener)
- Deck: Cubierta (Ship's floor)
- Pilgrimage: Peregrinación (Journey)
- Ivory: Marfil (Tusk material)
- Donkey: Burro (Animal)
- Clerk: Empleado (Office worker)
- Shallow: Poco profundo (Not deep)
- Riverbank: Orilla (Edge of the river)
- Deep: Profundidad (Great distance down)
- Wood: Madera (Timber)
- Wheel: Timón (Steering device)
- Pole: Vara (Long stick)
- Whistle: Sirena (Warning sound)
- Trader: Comerciante (Merchant)
- Raider: Invasor (Attacker)
- Skulls: Calaveras (Bones)
- Stretcher: Camilla (Carriage for the sick)
- Crowd: Multitud (Large group)
- Struggle: Prueba (Hardship)
- Buried: Enterrar (Put underground)
- Intended: Pretendienta (Prospective partner)