Joseph Conrad

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Conrad in 1916

Native name
Born	Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski 1857-12-03 Berdychiv, Kiev Governorate, Russian Empire (now Ukraine)
Died	3 August 1924(1924-08-03) (aged 66) Bishopsbourne, Kent, England
Resting place
Pen name
Nickname
Occupation	Novelist, short story writer
Language	English
Nationality	Polish-British

Joseph Conrad (born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski; 3 December 1857 – 3 August 1924) was a Polish-British writer regarded as one of the greatest novelists to write in the English language. Though he did not speak English fluently until his twenties, Conrad is known for his narrative style and deep psychological insight.

Early Life

Joseph Conrad was born in Berdychiv, in the Kiev Governorate of the Russian Empire (now Ukraine), to Polish parents. His father, Apollo Korzeniowski, was a writer and political activist who was exiled to Siberia for his involvement in the Polish independence movement. Conrad's early life was marked by hardship and displacement, which would later influence his literary themes.

Career at Sea

At the age of 16, Conrad left Poland to pursue a career at sea. He joined the French merchant marine and later the British merchant navy, where he eventually became a master mariner. His experiences at sea provided the material for many of his works, including Heart of Darkness and Lord Jim.

Literary Career

Conrad began his literary career in his thirties, publishing his first novel, Almayer's Folly, in 1895. His works often explore themes of existentialism, colonialism, and the human condition. Heart of Darkness, published in 1899, is perhaps his most famous work, offering a critical view of European colonialism in Africa.

Major Works

• Heart of Darkness (1899) - A novella exploring the darkness within humanity and the effects of colonialism.
• Lord Jim (1900) - A novel about a young seaman's search for redemption.
• Nostromo (1904) - A complex narrative about imperialism and capitalism in a fictional South American country.
• The Secret Agent (1907) - A political novel dealing with espionage and anarchism in London.

Themes and Style

Conrad's writing is characterized by a rich, descriptive style and a focus on the inner lives of his characters. His works often delve into themes of isolation, moral ambiguity, and the clash between civilization and savagery. Conrad's narrative techniques, such as the use of frame stories and unreliable narrators, have influenced many writers and are studied for their complexity and depth.

Legacy

Joseph Conrad's influence extends beyond literature into film, psychology, and postcolonial studies. His exploration of the human psyche and critique of imperialism have made his works enduring subjects of analysis and interpretation.

Also see

• Heart of Darkness
• Lord Jim
• Nostromo
• The Secret Agent
• Modernism
• Colonialism