The Secret Sharer by Conrad

Joseph Conrad:
Joseph Conrad, born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski on December 3, 1857, in Berdychiv, in present-
day Ukraine, was a Polish-British writer known for his rich, complex narratives and his psychological
explorations of moral dilemmas, colonialism, and human nature. He is widely regarded as one of the
greatest English-language novelists, despite not being a native English speaker.
Early Life:
Conrad was born into an aristocratic, Polish family with strong patriotic and anti-Russian sentiments. His
father, Apollo Korzeniowski, was a writer and nationalist exiled to northern Russia for political activism
against Russian occupation. His mother, Ewa, also died early, when Conrad was just eleven. These early
experiences of exile and political repression greatly influenced Conrad’s later work.
Conrad was orphaned by the age of 11 and was placed in the care of his uncle, Tadeusz Bobrowski. He
showed a strong interest in travel and the sea as a youth. Despite his uncle's initial reluctance, Conrad
pursued a maritime career.
Maritime Career:
At the age of 16, Conrad left Poland for France, where he began his life as a sailor. By 1878, he had
moved to the British merchant navy, working his way up to the rank of captain. His time at sea gave him
firsthand experiences of international cultures, political struggles, and the effects of European
imperialism, which would later be central themes in his works. His sailing career took him to Asia, Africa,
and South America, giving him unique insights into the human condition and colonialism, both of which
heavily influenced his writing.
Literary Career:
Conrad began his literary career in his thirties, writing in English, his third language after Polish and
French. His first novel, Almayer's Folly, was published in 1895. Although initially met with mixed
success, he continued writing and eventually gained recognition for his narrative style and profound
thematic concerns.
Some of Conrad’s most famous works include:
1. Heart of Darkness (1899) – Perhaps his most renowned novella, this work explores European
imperialism in the Congo and the darkness within the human soul. The story's symbolic and
philosophical layers have made it a significant text in literary studies, especially in post-colonial
criticism.
2. Lord Jim (1900) – This novel tells the story of a young British seaman who abandons his ship in
a moment of cowardice, a decision that haunts him for the rest of his life. It explores themes of
honor, guilt, and redemption.
3. Nostromo (1904) – Set in a fictional South American country, this novel examines political
intrigue, revolution, and the corrupting influence of wealth.
4. The Secret Agent (1907) – A political novel focusing on terrorism and espionage, it was inspired
by real-life anarchist plots in London.
5. Under Western Eyes (1911) – This novel delves into Russian politics and revolution, revealing
Conrad's complex attitudes toward political ideologies and his deep skepticism of idealistic
movements.
Conrad’s writing was characterized by a focus on the individual's psychological and moral dilemmas. His
prose style, though complex, was admired for its precision and rhythm. His themes often revolved around
colonialism, isolation, existential crises, and the clash of cultures.
Personal Life:
In 1896, Conrad married Jessie George, and they had two sons. Although his maritime career provided
material for much of his fiction, his health deteriorated, and he focused more on writing during the last
decades of his life. Despite his significant contributions to English literature, Conrad struggled with
financial difficulties for much of his life.
Later Years and Legacy:
Conrad's work was often praised by fellow writers, including T.S. Eliot, Virginia Woolf, and F. Scott
Fitzgerald, who admired his ability to portray the human condition with depth and subtlety. Conrad's
exploration of imperialism and its effects, particularly in Heart of Darkness, has continued to be relevant,
with the novella serving as an inspiration for modern works like the film Apocalypse Now.
Joseph Conrad died on August 3, 1924, in Bishopsbourne, England, leaving behind a legacy as one of the
20th century's most influential writers. His ability to capture the complexities of the human psyche, the
moral ambiguities of colonialism, and the broader human experience has secured his place in the canon of
world literature.
Plot Summary:
The Secret Sharer is a short story by Polish-British author Joseph Conrad, originally written in
1909 and first published in two parts in the August and September 1910 editions of Harper's
Magazine. It was later included in the short story collection Twixt Land and Sea (1912)
1. The Captain’s Isolation

The story is told by a young, unnamed sea captain who has just taken command of a British merchant
ship in the Gulf of Siam (present-day Thailand). He feels isolated and insecure about his new position,
unsure of himself and his relationship with his crew, most of whom had served under the previous
captain. The crew is still adjusting to him, and he feels like a stranger on his ship.
His anxiety about his new responsibilities heightens this sense of loneliness. He questions his ability to
command, and though he outwardly projects confidence, he feels unsure and inexperienced inwardly.
2. Discovery of the Fugitive
One night, while anchored near a cluster of islands, the captain takes watch on deck. During his shift, he
notices something in the water near the ship. As he peers overboard, he sees a naked man clinging to the
ship’s ladder. The man, who seems exhausted, explains that he is a fugitive from another ship and begs for
help.
The captain, sensing something unusual but compelled by a mysterious connection to the man, helps him
onboard. The fugitive identifies himself as Leggatt, the first mate of the nearby ship Sephora. Leggatt
confesses that he had killed a man on his ship in an attempt to maintain discipline during a storm. The act,
though accidental, led him to flee, as he feared the consequences of facing trial on the Sephora.
3. The Secret Bond
The captain and Leggatt quickly form a secretive and intense bond, as the captain hides him in his cabin.
The captain is drawn to Leggatt because they share similar qualities: both are young, both are grappling
with their identities as leaders, and both are unsure of their ability to live up to the expectations placed
upon them. In a way, Leggatt represents the captain’s "double" or doppelgänger—a reflection of his own
inner doubts and unexpressed emotions.
As the captain hides Leggatt from the rest of the crew, he becomes increasingly absorbed by the secret.
He feels both responsible for protecting Leggatt and connected to him on a deep personal level. The more
time he spends with Leggatt, the more he wrestles with his own morality. Should he turn Leggatt in to the
authorities, or should he help him escape?
4. Moral Dilemma and Growing Tension
The captain is caught between his duty as a leader and his empathy for Leggatt. The longer Leggatt
remains hidden on board, the more the captain feels the pressure of maintaining the secret from his crew.
The captain's behavior starts to change—he becomes more withdrawn and starts taking risks to conceal
Leggatt.
At one point, the captain of the Sephora, Archbold, comes aboard the ship in search of Leggatt. Archbold
describes the murder and his belief that Leggatt acted recklessly. However, he also reveals that he is weak
and indecisive, in stark contrast to Leggatt's decisive, though extreme, actions. Archbold’s incompetence
further strengthens the young captain’s sympathy toward Leggatt, and he resolves to help him escape.
5. The Climax: Leggatt’s Escape
As the ship nears the open sea, the captain hatches a dangerous plan to help Leggatt escape without
arousing suspicion from the crew. He navigates the ship perilously close to land, risking running aground.
This maneuver distracts the crew and provides the perfect opportunity for Leggatt to slip into the sea
unnoticed. Before Leggatt departs, the captain gives him a hat as a parting gift, symbolizing their bond
and shared experience.
Leggatt swims away, with plans to reach land and make his way to safety. The captain, meanwhile,
manages to regain control of the ship just in time, narrowly avoiding disaster. By the end of the ordeal,
the captain feels more confident in his command and more secure in his identity as a leader.
Conrad’s Personal Maritime Experience

Psychological and Existential Themes
Imperialism and Global Trade
Loneliness and Alienation in the Modern World
The Changing World of Maritime

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Joseph Conrad:

1. The Captain’s Isolation

Conrad’s Personal Maritime Experience

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