Lord Jim: After the Truth (Twayne's Masterwork Studies)

A tale of dramatic experiences in far away places and of the ongoing fight between the primitive and the civilized, Lord Jim (1900) is one of Joseph Conrad's most highly regarded works. His forceful style and perceptive treatment of very modern problems have earned him the respect and admiration of both the general reader and writers such as William Faulkner and Graham Greene.Lord Jim: After the Truth is only the second critical study devoted entirely to Conrad's most far-flung and disparate novel. It deftly combines a fascinating introduction to biographical and historical background, a fast-paced survey of major critical response, chapters on the novel's significances and a clearly organized and carefully developed reading of Lord Jim. Murfin argues that because Conrad's novel creates conditions that militate against one central viewpoint, it cannot be declared optimistic or nihilistic, any more than Jim can be called a hero or a failure. Lord Jim: After the Truth holds our constant interest in these issues by aiming a multifaceted interpretation towards reader response. A strong chronology and annotated bibliography make it an essential reference tool for all fans of Lord Jim.