The Nigger of the "Narcissus"

by Joseph Conrad

Overview

When a black sailor with tuberculosis boards the Narcissus, the shadow of death falls across the ship and the lingering gloom brings out both the best and the worst in the crew. The harsh endurance test of survival at sea, magnified by the dying sailor's condition, sends the crewmen through an emotional gamut, ranging from pity and selfless compassion to fear, resentment, and a profound hatred that boils perilously close to mutiny.
In this 1897 novel, a compelling examination of human character under conditions of extreme danger and stress, Joseph Conrad considers some of his customary preoccupations. His masterful narrative technique captures every nuance of atmospheric tension as it explores issues related to moral dilemmas, isolation, and the psychology of inner compulsions. Conrad drew upon his two decades of experience in the British merchant marine for the vital, memorable characterizations and realistic depictions of seafaring life in this and many of his other works.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780486159133
Publisher:	Dover Publications
Publication date:	02/17/2016
Series:	Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	112
Sales rank:	876,927
File size:	588 KB
Age Range:	14 - 18 Years

About the Author

Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) was fluent from birth in French as well as his native Polish. He learned his third language, English, as an adult, and it was in English that he wrote his evocative stories and novels. Conrad drew upon his experiences in the British and French navies to portray the struggles of humanity amid the world's vast indifference.

Date of Birth:

December 3, 1857

Date of Death:

August 3, 1924

Place of Birth:

Berdiczew, Podolia, Russia

Place of Death:

Bishopsbourne, Kent, England

Education:

Tutored in Switzerland. Self-taught in classical literature. Attended maritime school in Marseilles, France

Editorial Reviews

"This edition is particularly good for students at the introductory level because of the chronology and helpful introduction."—Mary Morzinski, Berry College

From the Publisher