Secret Essays - The Secret Sharer, Joseph Conrad, Secret Sharer

Secret Sharer By Joseph Conrad "The Secret Sharer" by Joseph Conrad is a story of deep mysterious thought. The main character is a young captain who becomes aware that he does not yet know his ship, or his crew, or, indeed, himself. His character is one of complicated emotion and deep inner struggle. It's emphasis on the "double" (or alter ego) portrays the bond between an innocent person and one who is technically a criminal and reveals how easily the fates of each are interchangeable. Conrad has a unique style on which his specific diction and somewhat advanced vocabulary, coupled with complex sentence structure and plot development, hold the potential to confuse and frustrate the average reader. Conrad attempts to engage their minds and create original thought. In depth description is also very characteristic of Conrad's style and is found throughout "The Secret Sharer." Because of his stylistic writing, some readers may find themselves lost in his description and loose the story line in the process. It is, however, these ornate descriptions that Conrad uses to present his underlying meaning of his story. His character development is also somewhat established through this. There is a recurring theme to "The Secret Sharer." Alienation and repression of inner urges are the dominating themes. One can almost believe the young captain is so filled with uncertainty of himself that he manufactures a self-analytical double to help him find his way. From the beginning of the story Conrad begins to use symbolism. The first four paragraphs that set the place and time also include the first usage of symbolism. In the first paragraph Conrad describes the setting of the story and in doing so subtly lets it be known that the captain is feeling alone and different from the rest of his crew. For example, ".... For there was no sign of human habitation as far as the eye could reach." "To the left a group of barren islets...had its foundations set in a blue sea that itself looked solid, so still and stable did it lie below my feet." In these words Conrad could be saying how the captain feels that the sea is his only solid foundation in life, his stronghold and the one thing that is stable in his life. Through the description of the vast sea and open air Conrad portrays a man who feels alienated and insignificant. Repetition of the use of the word alone and metaphors of things and situations that cause loneliness are used throughout the entire introduction. The secret sharer of the captain's boat is an escaped murderer by the name of "Legatt." Legatt is physically and psychologically identical to the captain. Whether or not Legatt is real is something that will be debated by scholars for years to come. Did the captain simply create this other self to rid him of his loneliness? Was Legatt a way for him to express his inner urges to sin and rebel against society? If so then how do we explain the skipper of the ship "Sephora" looking for him? These are all legitimate questions that really only Conrad would know the answers to. They do, however, give us a basis for further discussion of symbolism in this story. One way to explore the symbolism of the story is through the sleeping suit that Conrad repeatedly refers to. When Conrad brings Legatt into the story he uses words that imply a fantasy or mystical world. For example, "the darkling glassy shimmer of the sea", "a faint flash of phosphorescent light... flickered in the sleeping water with the elusive, silent play of summer lightning in a night sky.", "his face, a dimly pale oval in the shadow of the ship's side." and "he appeared ghastly, silvery, fishlike." All of these passages strongly suggest the presence of a fairy tale like atmosphere. The illusions to light, shimmers of the water, and the references to Legatt being a "shadow of the ship's side" and "ghastly" imply that Legatt could very well be a figment of the captains imagination. He could have been developed in the captain's subconscious as a real person who ended up succeeding in providing companionship and living out the other "self" inside the captain. Legatt is exactly like the captain in all respects except for the fact that he is also the part of him that the captain has always repressed and hidden even from himself. He is the part that we all hide deep inside us. The part of us that wants to go against the grain and do

The Pursuit Of Knowledge in Frankenstein essays

The Pursuit Of Knowledge in Frankenstein essays During the nineteenth century, romance was a basis of many stories for many authors. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley expresses the ideas of life during this age in her gothic romance, Frankenstein. A theme is a major idea displayed in a work that is connected to the work in many ways. Many themes are found throughout this novel, one of which is the pursuit of knowledge. Throughout the story, the three major characters display a strong need to accomplish their goals in order to gain fame. Robert Walton is in search of the north pole for fame, Victor Frankenstein is in thought of creating a human-like monster for fame, and his monster is able to learn by observation for First, the pursuit of knowledge is shown through Robert Walton in his journey to the North Pole. As a strong ship captain, Walton feels this trip will provide him with fame among all in his home land. Because of his high ambitions and need for accomplishment, Walton becomes lonely and longs for an associate. While trapped on the ice, Walton finds a man and allows him to tell his story of why he is lost so far north. With Waltons Second, the pursuit of knowledge is displayed in Victor Frankenstein. This brilliant science student dreams of creating the first living being in his laboratory. With his strong drive, his dream is accomplished, he said, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart. (55) Due to his dream, and the horror of his monster, Victors hope for everlasting fame is turned against him and the monster kills his friends and family. Due to all of the stress from continual work, Victors pursuit eventually leads to his death. Just before his death however, Victor tells Walton important advice, seek happiness in tranquillity and avoid ambition, even if it be only ...

Davey crockett Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Davey crockett - Personal Statement Example There are several versions of Crockett and each baffles definition. When an individual is highly controversial it means that either he was very famous during his time, or was not at all! The main contention articulated by the author is to disprove the extraordinary achievements of Davy Crockett in the battlefront, the mythical hero of his times, the man who allegedly never surrendered and died a hero’s death battering the enemy with his broken rifle. While correcting this faulty version of death, the author, however has appreciation for his oratorical skills, extraordinary ability to tell stories and his contribution to American politics, even when the going was tough for him. The pages of the history related to Davy Crockett are undoubtedly daubed in bloodshed. He was born in Tennessee on August 17.1786 and for over 49 years he was an honored resident of the state. In those years he gained national status as a frontiersman. In the political front, he was West Tennessees representative in Congress but was defeated in the 1835 re-election. Crockett knew the art of eulogizing the self and he promoted himself as the undisputed hero and a great frontiersman. He built his image amongst the public with the astuteness of a seasoned politician. Every stage of his life was surrounded by controversies and the author has done a reasonably good job to construct his version of Crockett, on the basis of available evidence. His first task is to separate the man from the tales that have engulfed his life. He was a man of humble origins and drank heavily. He carried out his political responsibilities well and he was almost a Marxist by conviction as was an advocate for th e cause of the poor. He put his political career at stake by condemning the removal of Indians to west of the Mississippi. In 1825, Crockett was elected to the U.S. Congress, and he vehemently opposed many of the policies of President Andrew Jackson,