Under Western Eyes (ePub)

Joseph Conrad, born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski on December 3, 1857, in Berdychiv, Ukraine, then part of the Russian Empire, was a pre-eminent early 20th-century novelist. A master of prose style and a precursor to modernist literature, Conrad drew upon his diverse experiences in the French and British merchant navies to create short stories and novels that reflect aspects of a European-dominated world-while profoundly exploring human psychology. His narrative style and anti-heroic characters have influenced numerous authors and filmmakers. Conrad's writing trajectory began with the publication of 'Almayer's Folly' in 1895, but he is best known for the novella 'Heart of Darkness' (1899) and novels such as 'Lord Jim' (1900), 'Nostromo' (1904), and 'The Secret Agent' (1907). In 'Under Western Eyes' (1911), Conrad examines themes of terrorism, espionage, and betrayal, rendering a complex psychological landscape within a political context. It is this discerning introspection coupled with his narrative innovations and evocative use of the English language, which was his third language after Polish and French, that cements his reputation as a significant figure in the annals of the English novel. He straddled the Victorian and modernist worlds, consistently exploring the depths of human consciousness and the often ambiguous nature of moral action. Conrad's works continue to attract scholarly attention and are considered to be of significant literary and cultural importance. He passed away on August 3, 1924, in Bishopsbourne, England, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to resonate.