The Secret Agent

Joseph Conrad

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dark political thriller

nihilism and anarchism

tragic consequences of terrorism

complex characters and societal failure

cynical atmosphere of 19th century london

masterful writing style

layered and rich descriptions

philosophical reflections

slow paced narrative

tension building resolution

dread and fear in society

The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad is a dark and cynical tale set in the politically charged atmosphere of 19th century London. The story follows Mr. Verloc, a Russian secret agent who orchestrates a bomb plot to create dread in the populace, but things go disastrously wrong, affecting his innocent family. Conrad's writing style is described as masterly, with a cleverly plotted depiction of nihilism and anarchism, and a satirical take on the genre of political thrillers.

Characters:

The characters are deeply flawed and interact in complex ways, each reflecting various facets of human nature and societal failure.

Writing/Prose:

Conrad's writing style is complex and layered, employing rich descriptions and philosophical reflections that engage readers but may slow the narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative describes a secret agent's attempt to carry out a bombing that ultimately leads to tragic and unexpected consequences.

Setting:

The setting of London is integral to the themes explored, highlighting the city's dark undercurrents amidst societal turmoil.

Pacing:

While slow-paced at first, the novel builds tension towards the end, culminating in a dramatic resolution.

Mr Verloc, going out in the morning, left his shop nominally in charge of his brother-in-law. It could be done, because there was very little business at any time, and practically none at all before t...

Notes:

Joseph Conrad wrote The Secret Agent in 1907, addressing themes of terrorism and anarchism.

The novel is loosely based on the real-life failed bombing of the Greenwich Observatory in 1894.

The protagonist, Adolf Verloc, is a secret agent with a double life; he runs a pornography shop while spying for a foreign government.

The book features a range of anarchist characters, each representing different aspects of radicalism.

Conrad employs a dark and ironic tone, reflecting on the absurdity of political efforts and the futility of violence.

The character known as The Professor is described as the 'perfect anarchist' and represents a nihilistic view of revolution.

Winnie Verloc, Verloc's wife, plays a critical role, suggesting that the story is as much about personal relationships as it is about politics.

The Secret Agent is often considered one of the first spy novels, influencing the genre significantly.

Conrad's portrayal of London vividly captures its filth, moral decay, and the bleak environment of late 19th century society.

The narrative structure is non-linear, providing multiple perspectives and shifting focus between characters.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of violence, terrorism, psychological distress, and emotional trauma.

From The Publisher:

The Secret Agent deals broadly with anarchism, espionage, terrorism, and exploitation. Due to its examinations of terrorists, The Secret Agent has been noted as one of the most cited literary works in the American media post September 11th. This novel can be see as both pro and anti terrorist. A complicated view into a dark and dangerous world.

Ratings (4)

Loved It (1)
It Was OK (2)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (15):

Read It (4)
Want To Read (8)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (2)

1 comment(s)

Bekahpaige

Loved It

4 months

Read this for a Modern British Novel class. Very memorable and disturbing, like Conrad novels are. Very frightening look at terrorism. The main character is disabled and exploited by the terrorists to commit an awful crime.

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About the Author:

Joseph Conrad was born in Berdichev, Ukraine, in 1857. After both of his parents died of tuberculosis, Conrad went to live with his uncle in Switzerland. After attending school in Kraków, he joined the French and then the British merchant marines,…

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