The Character of Leggatt in The Secret Sharer Essay -- Joseph Conrad S

The Character of Leggatt in The Secret Shargonr This essay examines Leggatt as an independent person, rather than as a symbol connected to the captain-narrator, a view shared by some(prenominal) critics. Leggatt is not a negative influence on the captain per se. From an objective show of view, it can be seen that Leggatts portrayal depends entirely on how the captain (as narrator) perceives him, and that he deserves to be treated as the individual being that he is. Many of Conrads critics, approximately notably Albert J. Guerard , Robert W. Stallmann , have taken the view that Leggatt, of the novella The Secret Sharer, is both some sort of symbol of the captains dark side, a kind of role manikin for the captain, or that he is part of the captain. In this essay I will first examine the captains portrayal of Leggatt, then argue that Leggatt is none of these, rather, he is a complete person in and of himself, and not simply part of the captains record deficiencies. At first glance it would seem that Leggatt is either the antagonist or provides a criminal influence on the captain. By no means are Leggatts decisions and actions exemplary. Murdering mutinous crew members is hardly an acceptable practice, and avoiding justice, and ones punishment-all of which Leggatt do- only worsen the issue. The captain claims that in go to the island Koh-ring, his double had lowered himself into the water to take his punishment (Conrad 193). However, as Cedric Watts argues, this is only true because Leggatt, by escaping justice, will face an uncertain future marooned on an island (134). In reality, Leggatt is doing the opposite he is lowering himself into the water to escape from the law, ... ...as escaped as he can be while fleeing from the law. Works Cited Baines, Jocelyn. Joseph Conrad A little Biography. London Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1959. Batchelor, John. The Life of Joseph Conrad A Critical Biography. Oxford Blackwell Publishers, 1994. Burgess, Chester F rancis. The Fellowship of the Craft Conrad on Ships and Seamen and the Sea. refreshing York National University Publications, 1976. Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness and The Secret Sharer. New York Bantam Books, 1981. Graver, Lawrence. Conrads terse Fiction. Berkeley University of California Press, 1969. Karl, Frederick Robert. Joseph Conrad The Three Lives. New York Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1979. Watts, Cedric. A Preface to Conrad. 2nd ed. New York Longman Publishing, 1993. The Character of Leggatt in The Secret Sharer Essay -- Joseph Conrad SThe Character of Leggatt in The Secret Sharer This essay examines Leggatt as an independent person, rather than as a symbol connected to the captain-narrator, a view shared by many critics. Leggatt is not a negative influence on the captain per se. From an objective point of view, it can be seen that Leggatts portrayal depends entirely on how the captain (as narrator) perceives him, and that he deserves to be trea ted as the individual being that he is. Many of Conrads critics, most notably Albert J. Guerard , Robert W. Stallmann , have taken the view that Leggatt, of the novella The Secret Sharer, is either some sort of symbol of the captains dark side, a kind of role model for the captain, or that he is part of the captain. In this essay I will first examine the captains portrayal of Leggatt, then argue that Leggatt is none of these, rather, he is a complete person in and of himself, and not simply part of the captains personality deficiencies. At first glance it would seem that Leggatt is either the antagonist or provides a criminal influence on the captain. By no means are Leggatts decisions and actions exemplary. Murdering mutinous crew members is hardly an acceptable practice, and avoiding justice, and ones punishment-all of which Leggatt do-only worsen the issue. The captain claims that in swimming to the island Koh-ring, his double had lowered himself into the water to take his pu nishment (Conrad 193). However, as Cedric Watts argues, this is only true because Leggatt, by escaping justice, will face an uncertain future marooned on an island (134). In reality, Leggatt is doing the opposite he is lowering himself into the water to escape from the law, ... ...as free as he can be while fleeing from the law. Works Cited Baines, Jocelyn. Joseph Conrad A Critical Biography. London Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1959. Batchelor, John. The Life of Joseph Conrad A Critical Biography. Oxford Blackwell Publishers, 1994. Burgess, Chester Francis. The Fellowship of the Craft Conrad on Ships and Seamen and the Sea. New York National University Publications, 1976. Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness and The Secret Sharer. New York Bantam Books, 1981. Graver, Lawrence. Conrads Short Fiction. Berkeley University of California Press, 1969. Karl, Frederick Robert. Joseph Conrad The Three Lives. New York Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1979. Watts, Cedric. A Preface to Conrad. 2nd ed. New York Longman Publishing, 1993.