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Lord Jim
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Lord Jim (1900) (edit title/settings)

by Joseph Conrad (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

One of Joseph Conrad's greatest novels, Lord Jim brilliantly combines adventure and analysis. Haunted by the memory of a moment of lost nerve during a disastrous voyage, Jim submits to condemnation by a Court of Inquiry. In the wake of his disgrace he travels to the exotic region of Patusan,... read more

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Jim (his surname is never disclosed), a young British seaman, becomes first mate on the ‘Patna’, a ship full of pilgrims traveling to Meca for the Hajj. When it appears that the ship is going to sink, Jim joins his captain and other crew members in abandoning the ship and its passengers. A... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Jim (his surname is never disclosed), a young British seaman, becomes first mate on the ‘Patna’, a ship full of pilgrims traveling to Meca for the Hajj. When it appears that the ship is going to sink, Jim joins his captain and other crew members in abandoning the ship and its passengers. A few days later, they are picked up by a British ship. However, the Patna and its passengers are later also saved, and the reprehensible actions of the crew are exposed. The other participants evade the judicial court of inquiry, leaving Jim to the court alone. The court strips him of his navigation command certificate for his dereliction of duty. Jim is angry with himself, both for his moment of weakness, and for missing an opportunity to be a 'hero'.

At the trial, he meets Marlow, a sea captain, who in spite of his initial misgivings over what he sees as Jim's moral unsoundness, comes to befriend him, for he is "one of us". Marlow later finds Jim work as a ship chandler's clerk. Jim tries to remain incognito, but whenever the story of the ‘Patna’ incident catches up with him, he abandons his place and moves further east.

At length, Marlow's friend Stein suggests placing Jim as his agent in Patusan, a remote inland settlement with a mixed Malay and Bugis population, where Jim's past can remain hidden. While living on the island he acquires the title 'Tuan' ('Lord').

In Patusan, Jim wins the respect of the people and becomes their leader by relieving them from the predations of a local bandit and protecting them from the corrupt local Malay chief, Rajah Tunku Allang. Jim also wins the love of Jewel, a woman of mixed race, and is "satisfied... nearly".

The end comes a few years later, when the town is attacked by the marauder "Gentleman" Brown. Although Brown and his gang are driven off, Dain Waris, the son of the leader of the Bugis community, is slain. Jim continues the conflict and willingly takes a fatal bullet in the chest, fired by Dain Waris's father Doramin as retribution for the death of his son.

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Quotes edit see section history

  • “One hope kept Jim going - a hope common to most men. Rich or poor, strong or weak, who among us has not begged God for a second chance?”
    Author

First Sentence edit see section history

HE was an inch, perhaps two, under six feet, powerfully built, and he advanced straight at you with a slight stoop of the shoulders, head forward, and a fixed from-under stare which made you think of a charging bull.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This book is in Modern Library Classics. (edition-based publisher list)
This book is in Guardian 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read. (authoritative list)
This book is in Folio Society. (edition-based publisher list)
This is book 85 of 93 in Modern Library's 100 Best Novels: The Board's List. (authoritative list)

Preceded by The Death of the Heart.

This is book 75 of 99 in Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century. (authoritative list)

Preceded by The journal of Jules Renard, and followed by Ecrits.

This is book 93 of 96 in Newsweek's Top 100 Books: The Meta-List. (authoritative list)

Preceded by The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money, and followed by Good-Bye to All That.

This is book 785 of 1271 in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. (authoritative list)

Preceded by Sister Carrie, and followed by Some Experiences of an Irish R.M..

This is book 140 of 214 in Best English-Language Fiction of the 20th Century. (authoritative list)

Preceded by Ellen Foster, and followed by Cold Sassy Tree.

This book is in Heritage Press. (edition-based publisher list)
This book is in Readers Digest Press. (edition-based publisher list)
This book is in Easton Press. (edition-based publisher list)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Joseph Conrad (Author)

Other Contributors:

  1. John Barnes (Editor)
  2. George Evans (Illustrator)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: W. Blackwood & Sons
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1900
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 451

Classification edit see section history

  • Copyright Status: Public Domain
  • Library of Congress: PR6005.O4 L6 1900
  • Dewey: 923.912

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

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