Lord Jim – Joseph Conrad
1. What does the young woman Jewel represent in Lord Jim?
Discuss the myth surrounding her name, as well as its relation
to the "Eastern bride" of opportunity.
2.
What is the significance of Marlow's statement, "He is one of
us"? Who does the "us" refer to? To what degree is Jim
representative of the human condition, of Westerners, etc.?
3.
"In no other kind of life is the illusion more wide of reality--in
no other is the beginning all illusion" (99). Comment on this
quotation. What kind of life is Marlow referring to? How does
romanticism navigate between illusions and realities? In Jim's
case, what is illusion and what is reality, and how does Jim
mature?
4.
Is Jim's fate at the end a "logical" conclusion to his story? How
does all the evidence of his character make his final choice
understandable?
5.
Some of the minor characters in the novel--Brierly, Stein, and
Brown in particular--reflect significant themes in the novel or
in Jim's story. Choose one and analyse the significance of his
presence in the novel.
6.
What do Stein's butterflies symbolise?
7.
How does Conrad problematise the relationship between
"facts" and "experience"--for example, as illustrated by the
official Inquiry into the Patna incident?
8.
Is Jim a courageous man? Does his courage change
throughout the novel?
9.
Discuss the parallels between Stein and Jim. How do their
paths converge and diverge? Why does Conrad link them
together?
, 10.
Why does Jim give Brown "the clear road"? What is the
signficance of their conversation?
11.
How do Jim's failed and successful "leaps" function in the
novel?
Summary of the novel:
Jim is a chief mate on the steamship, Patna. During a voyage towards Mecca, with its cargo of
pilgrims, the ship strikes a submerged object. Watching the small crew lowering a lifeboat to
save their own skins, Jim appears to be an idealistic onlooker but then, impulsively; he jumps.
The significance of this action is the pivotal point of the novel. The action moves to Aden, where
the narrator, Marlow, observes Jim at the Court of Inquiry. Ironically; and contrary to the crew's
belief, the Patna had not sunk; Jim is the only one, among the entire crew, who has decided to
face the official ramifications of his actions. Marlow is interested in Jim's private consciousness
of disgrace; being stripped of his Master's certificate proves to be a public, but not a spiritual
atonement. With Marlow's assistance, Jim moves through a variety of jobs ashore, but the
promise of real freedom 'talkers' (those who know of his blemished reputation) is provided only
by a position as agent at the remote trading post of Patusan.
Jim's life at Patusan, recalled by Marlow, has an active and practical perspective: to the
people, including the elderly chief Doramin, he is Tuan, or Lord Jim. His relationship with the
woman he calls Jewel, stepdaughter of his corrupt predecessor, contributes to his partial
happiness. This is violently disrupted by the arrival of Gentleman Brown and his fellow thieves.
Jim vows to Doramin that Brown will leave the island without bloodshed; he is proved horribly
wrong. Doramin's son is killed as a result of Jim's misplaced trust in Brown. Taking
responsibility for his action, Jim allows himself to be shot by an angry and grieving Doramin.
…………………………….
1. What does the young woman Jewel represent in Lord Jim?
Discuss the myth surrounding her name, as well as its relation
to the "Eastern bride" of opportunity.
2.
What is the significance of Marlow's statement, "He is one of
us"? Who does the "us" refer to? To what degree is Jim
representative of the human condition, of Westerners, etc.?
3.
"In no other kind of life is the illusion more wide of reality--in
no other is the beginning all illusion" (99). Comment on this
quotation. What kind of life is Marlow referring to? How does
romanticism navigate between illusions and realities? In Jim's
case, what is illusion and what is reality, and how does Jim
mature?
4.
Is Jim's fate at the end a "logical" conclusion to his story? How
does all the evidence of his character make his final choice
understandable?
5.
Some of the minor characters in the novel--Brierly, Stein, and
Brown in particular--reflect significant themes in the novel or
in Jim's story. Choose one and analyse the significance of his
presence in the novel.
6.
What do Stein's butterflies symbolise?
7.
How does Conrad problematise the relationship between
"facts" and "experience"--for example, as illustrated by the
official Inquiry into the Patna incident?
8.
Is Jim a courageous man? Does his courage change
throughout the novel?
9.
Discuss the parallels between Stein and Jim. How do their
paths converge and diverge? Why does Conrad link them
together?
, 10.
Why does Jim give Brown "the clear road"? What is the
signficance of their conversation?
11.
How do Jim's failed and successful "leaps" function in the
novel?
Summary of the novel:
Jim is a chief mate on the steamship, Patna. During a voyage towards Mecca, with its cargo of
pilgrims, the ship strikes a submerged object. Watching the small crew lowering a lifeboat to
save their own skins, Jim appears to be an idealistic onlooker but then, impulsively; he jumps.
The significance of this action is the pivotal point of the novel. The action moves to Aden, where
the narrator, Marlow, observes Jim at the Court of Inquiry. Ironically; and contrary to the crew's
belief, the Patna had not sunk; Jim is the only one, among the entire crew, who has decided to
face the official ramifications of his actions. Marlow is interested in Jim's private consciousness
of disgrace; being stripped of his Master's certificate proves to be a public, but not a spiritual
atonement. With Marlow's assistance, Jim moves through a variety of jobs ashore, but the
promise of real freedom 'talkers' (those who know of his blemished reputation) is provided only
by a position as agent at the remote trading post of Patusan.
Jim's life at Patusan, recalled by Marlow, has an active and practical perspective: to the
people, including the elderly chief Doramin, he is Tuan, or Lord Jim. His relationship with the
woman he calls Jewel, stepdaughter of his corrupt predecessor, contributes to his partial
happiness. This is violently disrupted by the arrival of Gentleman Brown and his fellow thieves.
Jim vows to Doramin that Brown will leave the island without bloodshed; he is proved horribly
wrong. Doramin's son is killed as a result of Jim's misplaced trust in Brown. Taking
responsibility for his action, Jim allows himself to be shot by an angry and grieving Doramin.
…………………………….
