Dialectical Journal

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nTitle: Victory: An Island Tale

nAuthor: Joseph Conrad

nEvidence Commentary Literary device

nThe narrator expresses an issue on individual engagement or separation from reality. The narrator says, “the greatest enemy of perfection is thinking”48. This issue seems to explain the opposition between thoughts and actions. This is because Heyst hesitates in making a decision between the desires to isolation and engagement into romantic relations. His deceased father influences this scepticism. His father was a philosopher and he believed in Schopenhauerian negation. Conflict

nHeysts predicaments in the world are increased further when he falls in love with orchestra woman –Lena. At this point Heyst compares himself with “the original Adam.” 193 Heyst and Lena flee to Samburan because they are engaged. They want to have isolated place just as Adam and Eve in garden of Eden. However, despite their effort to isolate themselves, the relationship is characterized by misunderstandings. He fails to understand Lenas absolute dependence on him. She has completely fallen in love that leads her into self-sacrifice for him. Metaphor

nThe author explains Heyst perception of love and hope. He view love and hope as illusions. “…he viewed life as outside the flattering optical delusion of everlasting hope and self-deceptions”, 122 This shows that Heyst is self-conscious because of engagement and scepticism. He is no longer immune to love but he remains as if he is a spectator because of his habits to resist Lenas love. Symbol

nHeyst in one observation explains Lenas behaviours “something mysterious reposing within her, inspiration or stupidity, force or weakness” 210 This shows that Heyst is incapable of reading the Lenas behaviours. This inability leads to an artistic dimension. This further shows that he is unable to understand Lenas behaviours. Symbolism

nThe Heyst further expresses how deep he has fallen in love with Lena. “Heyst thought that she would talk in a strange language but her sheer beauty in her voice would enslave him suggesting infinite feeling”, 222 This shows that the Lenas voice was bewitching hence; it dominated Heyst perception that words were even irrelevant to him. It is a metaphor because Lenas voice is compared to powerful world that enslaves Heyst. The non-linguistic immanence of beautiful objects allows a composure that cannot be achieved by analytic detachment alone. However, Heyst hope for immanence but it does not arrive which creates suspense. On the other hand, Lenas self-sacrifice is featured spectacularly thus representing victory. Metaphor

nThe author shows interest in economy and industry in the novel. This is because the narrator writes “facts and progress” – a great step forward” 212 The narattor explains the economic status of the people because of discussion of liquidation, diamonds and coal. This introduces Heyst belief in economic prosperity of the people through the Tropical Belt Coal company. This idea is created from Heysts attempts to rescue Morrison from financial crisis but it fails. symbolism

nThe author also introduces the Marxist ideas through wage-slavery. Heyst explains the disillusionment in the world. “Supposing the entire world was a firm and all people were employed in it. He noticed the wages of employees were not enough” 212. Heyst tries to explain that the workers are not paid, as they should be. This shows that the author is concerned about economic prosperity of the people. Working conditions of the employees needed to be reviewed. Imagery

nThe author writes that “Heyst is accused of ‘murdering his business partner- Morrison” 354 while Jones is involved in murder of Pedros brother, “…he is accused of murdering him….” 231 Heyst and Jones have similar characters. The two characters are detached from the society and both have negative attitude toward life. Heyst desires to escape in solitude while Jones lives alone. In addition, Heyst is accused of murdering his friend Morrison while Jones is accused of murdering Pedros brother. characterization

nThe author describes the physical characteristics of Jones and Heyst. Jones had “long, feminine eyelashes and beautifully pencilled eyebrow” 311 This shows the contrast between the two characters. Jones is described as feminised, thin and etiolated. The physical character of Jones is explained through her mode of dressing as the author explains gorgeous blue silk dressing gown. This helps the reader to understand the character of the Jones. In addition, it helps to create contrast between the Jones and Heyst. This is because Heyst masculine figure is repeatedly explained. Conflict

nThe narrator in first part of the novel uses first person narration while in second uses third person narration. In first part, he is first a European of Malay Archipelagos seafarers. He refers to Morrison as “one of us” 11. However, in the second part he uses third person narration In third person narration, the author narrates the story. He introduces the novel in first person narration. The author reverts into traditional and flexible approach of telling the story. For instance, in the last pages of the novel the account is written in third person omniscient form. This happens during an interview of Davidsons with a government official. In this regard, the author does not provide credible means in which information is reaching the reader. First and Third person narration

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nWorks cited

nConrad, Joseph. Victory: An Island of Tale. 5th ed. Penguin Classics Edition 1996. Print.