Introduction. Objects of consciousness in Conrad's impressionist world

Abstract

“The unwearied self-forgetful attention to every phase of the living universe reflected in our consciousness may be our appointed task on this earth.” A Personal Record In this book, I investigate the far-reaching effects of impressionism in the works of Joseph Conrad. In particular, I look at the sources and implications of his impressionism in order to argue for a consistent link between his literary technique, philosophical presuppositions, and sociopolitical views. The same core ideas concerning the nature of human existence and human experience run throughout his works. In the process of investigating these issues, I present a generally unified Conrad that contrasts with the fragmented Conrad popular in some circles. Furthermore, I posit a much-needed definition of literary impressionism based upon philosophical groundings rather than upon the visual arts. In this way, I hope to demonstrate literary impressionism's broad power and significant influence and by so doing argue for a much more important role for this movement in literary history than is generally accorded it. Running in the background of this study will be an attempt to show that Conrad's narrative techniques and philosophical inquiries result in part from the intellectual environment in which he wrote. Nevertheless, it would be misleading to suggest that my reading of Conrad is either an attempt at cultural studies or intellectual history.