Nostromo

By: Joseph Conrad

Great Quotes:

“A man betrayed is a man destroyed.”

“A transgression, a crime, entering a man’s existence, eats it up like a malignant growth, consumes it like a fever.”

Analysis: 

            Nostromo is a phenomenal book.  But, be warned, you must be patient and persistent to get to the good parts of the book.  Observing how the silver corrupts Nostromo is fascinating.  We can relate to the book because we all face temptations.  This book is about self-mastery.  Nostromo expounds on Christ's piercing question, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"  Matt. 16:26.  Here, Nostromo’s integrity failed him and he became the silver’s slave.  By stealing the silver from the Gould's mine, Nostromo betrays and destroys his "incorruptible" self-image.  In time, the silver betrays and leads to Nostromo's destruction. 

            I also loved Conrad’s case study of a flawed character.  Nostromo has so many good qualities; he is brave and generous.  But he also becomes a thief.  The tension between Nostromo’s selfish and selfless attributes is enthralling.  And it makes Nostromo infinitely more human.  Joseph Conrad has written one of the most interesting and thought-provoking characters that I have ever read. 

            Suffice it to say, that the book is deeply thought-provoking and worthy of its high praise.  Conrad develops his characters and the country of Costaguana wonderfully.  I highly recommend this book.

           

 Things to take note of:

1.      Joseph Conrad is an inspiration for aspiring writers everywhere.  He is one of the greatest novelists of the English language, but did not learn the language until he was an adult.

2.      In one of the most intriguing parts of the book, Nostromo has his girlfriend cut the silver buttons off of his coat.  Comparing this to the end of the book demonstrates how the silver has corrupted Nostromo.