Joseph Conrad
|
Major Issues Major IssuesBiographical and historical studies of Joseph Conrad’s literary works have explored the many links between Conrad’s twenty years at sea in the merchant navy and the settings, subjects, and themes of his fiction. Conrad has been credited with elevating the "adventure story" from trade fiction to great literature through his presentation of characters facing psychologically sophisticated and morally complex conflicts. Many scholarly studies have examined Conrad’s contributions to 20th century literary modernism, especially his use of symbolic imagery and mythic patterns. More recently, postcolonial critics have re-examined Conrad’s controversial portrayal of colonial imperialism. While some label Conrad’s work racist, others argue that Conrad performs a valid function in his focus on the position and concerns of anti-independence colonists. Critics suggest that the "us" and "them" dichotomy that suffuses much of Conrad’s work is often broken down by unexpected identification and union. Author LinksThe Joseph Conrad
Foundation
|