JOSEPH CONRADBy:Cristian, Alan, Aaron, Raoul

Early Life

Born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski in 3rd of December 1857. * Born in Berdychiv, Kiev Governorate, Russian Empire but originally belonged to Poland.

Although he considered himself Polish, Conrad always wrote his stories in English, and also later became a citizen of England

He was the only child of Apollo Korzeniowski and Ewelia Bobrowska

His family constantly moved around because of his fathers political influence in the fight to regain polish independence.

His father was later imprisoned and the family exciled to Vologda, north of Moscow.

His mother would later die of tuberculosis and his father tried his best to educate him but followed her four years later.

Conrad was orphoned to his uncle who decided to send him to become a sailor because of Conrads poor grades but great knowledge in geography at the age of 14.

Due to his fathers influence Conrad read much literature and spending time at sea, greatly influenced his later writings.

Historic Background

* During the time of Joseph Conrads life, Poland was parted.

* It was parted into Russia, Prussia and Austria

* Although occupied the Polish people were willing to fight for freedom

small countries also occupied by Russia who joined the fight for independence as well.

* They had two failed uprisings in 1830 and 1846 where the people attempted to regain independence.

* Resulting from failed independence movements, the polish people hoped to gain freedom with Napoleons invasion on Russia.

* Towards the end of the 19th century communism gained support because of its strong movement towards polish independence.

* The uprisings often led to the polish people being overpowered and having many casualties.

* However the influence of fighting for freedom spread to other

Writing Career

Joseph Conrad traveled to England with the intention of becoming an officer on a British ship. When he was not at sea, writing letters or journals, he would look for business opportunities. Once the author had worked his way up to shipmaster, he made a series of eastern voyages over three years. Conrad remained in the English port of Mauritius for two months, during which time he unsuccessfully courted two women. Frustrated, he left and journeyed to England. In England in the summer of 1889, Conrad began the crucial transition from sailor to writer by starting his first novel, Almayer's Folly. Interestingly, he chose to write in English, his third language. This novel was dedicated to the memory of Tadeusz

Bobrowski, Joseph’s maternal uncle. A journey to the Congo in 1890 was Joseph's inspiration to write Heart of Darkness. The major part of his career spanned from 1897-1911, where he wrote The Nigger of the Narcissus, Youth, Heart of Darkness, Lord Jim, Nostromo, The Secret Agent, and Under Western Eyes. His publication of the book Chances, was a success. As the quality of his work declined, he became satisfied with his wealth and status. He traveled to America and died of a heart attack in 1924, at the age of 67. Conrad's work influenced a lot of writers including T.S. Eliot, Graham Greene, Virginia Woolf, Thomas Mann, Andre Gide, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and William Faulkner.

Similarities between Joseph Conrad and Charlie Marlow

Joseph Conrad and Marlow began sailing at a young age. the narrator on the Nellie describes Marlow as “the only man of us who still follows the seas”, and he began sailing at the age of 13.Joseph Conrad experienced the life of a sailor when he was 17 and joined French merchant marine for four years. Conrad sailed on the Palestine in 1881-1882 when he was 20.Joseph Conrad and Marlow Being sailors enabled them to make a voyage to Africa.Both Marlow and Joseph Conrad had family members who influenced their lives. Marlow's aunt helps him get the job of being a skipper of a river steamboat when nobody else will. He states, "I Charlie Marlow, set the woman to work-

to get a job". Marlow's aunt, "a dear enthusiastic soul", thought it would be a "glorious idea" and was willing to do anything for him. "Conrad the Orphan was placed under the guardianship of his doting grandmother, Theophilia Bobrowski, and his uncle Count Ladislaw Mniszek, but it was Conrad's uncle, Thadeus Bobrowski, Eva's widowed brother, who took full responsibility for his nephew". Bobrowski was a second father to him and he always was there for him when he needed anything, he even sent him money. Bobrowski was Conrad's best friend. Bobrowski was the only person in his family that thought Conrad should be a merchant seaman and he helped him become one.

MLA

Bloom. Joseph Conrad Bloom. Heart of Darkness