| − | '''Joseph Conrad''' (1857-1924) was a Polish-born [[British]] author, perhaps best known for his work ''[[Heart of Darkness]]''. He was also the author of several other influential novels: ''[[Lord Jim]]'', ''Nostromo'', ''The Secret Sharer'', and ''The Nigger of the Narcissus''. Conrad was originally a [[sailor]] before he turned to writing. Remarkably, [[English]] was Conrad's third [[language]] after [[Polish]] and [[French]]. | + | '''Joseph Conrad''' (1857-1924) was a Polish-born [[British]] author, perhaps best known for his work ''[[Heart of Darkness]]''. He was also the author of several other influential novels: ''Lord Jim'', ''Nostromo'', ''The Secret Sharer'', and ''The Nigger of the Narcissus''. Conrad was originally a [[sailor]] before he turned to writing. Remarkably, [[English]] was Conrad's third [[language]] after [[Polish]] and [[French]]. |
| − | His novels are a valuable insight into the workings and ideas of the Age of Colonialism, including the scramble for Africa. | + | His novels are a valuable insight into the workings and ideas of the Age of [[Colonialism]], including the scramble by powerful [[European]] countries for [[Africa]]. In ''Heart of Darkness'', Conrad criticizes the abuses of the colonization of the Congo by [[Belgium]], but his use of the offensive word "nigger" has caused this book to be dropped by most school curriculum. |
| | His novel, ''The Secret Agent'' (1907), is the story of a gang of anarchist-revolutionaries in late 19th century [[London]]. One of them is paid by a foreign embassy to be an informer, but then is coerced into instigating a bombing in London; the motive force is the displeasure felt by the foreign embassy personnel that England is harbouring these individuals considered dangerous; the informer must find someone to plant the bomb. The person who makes the bombs is 'The Professor', whose life's dream is to perfect a reliable detonator, says of the USA, "...They have more character over there, and their character is essentially anarchistic. Fertile ground for us, the States--very good ground. The great Republic has the root of the destructive matter in her. The collective temperament is lawless. Excellent. They may shoot us down, but--"<ref>https://dailylit.com/read/98-the-secret-agent?page=21</ref> | | His novel, ''The Secret Agent'' (1907), is the story of a gang of anarchist-revolutionaries in late 19th century [[London]]. One of them is paid by a foreign embassy to be an informer, but then is coerced into instigating a bombing in London; the motive force is the displeasure felt by the foreign embassy personnel that England is harbouring these individuals considered dangerous; the informer must find someone to plant the bomb. The person who makes the bombs is 'The Professor', whose life's dream is to perfect a reliable detonator, says of the USA, "...They have more character over there, and their character is essentially anarchistic. Fertile ground for us, the States--very good ground. The great Republic has the root of the destructive matter in her. The collective temperament is lawless. Excellent. They may shoot us down, but--"<ref>https://dailylit.com/read/98-the-secret-agent?page=21</ref> |