TRANSFORMATION OF ‘IDENTITY’ AND ‘SELF’ IN ISOLATION: AN ANALYSIS OF JOSEPH CONRAD’S SELECT WORKS

Abstract

Isolation means living in separation or alone. Isolation can be voluntary or involuntary, it is the synonym of alienate. Alienation is a feeling of being estranged or neglected. The term isolation by definition refers to being apart or to cut off from others, or from the society as a whole. People isolate themselves for various reasons, some try to recharge or heal themselves, or isolate themselves for escapism, atonement, search for identity or just for being peaceful beings all for themselves. The positivity of isolation teaches self-help, patience, gives you the experience and wisdom of your actions, makes you feel the value of your home country and your family and the value of the sweet moments, but unfortunately for people who are driven into isolation struggle in its emptiness and its haunting darkness, it is observed that people who are isolated are driven and compelled to isolate themselves by the circumstances in their lives. In the Heart of Darkness, Lord Jim and Under Western Eyes the themes of isolation and solitude are very prominent through which the author discusses the psychological condition of his characters and the challenges that human beings by nature are meant to endure, he has even lived those psychological conditions and endured the pangs of alienation. He makes his characters acquaint with this kind of phenomena and that they become the agents to rectify and overcome these obstacles and impediments, another perspective is that isolation and solitude can simply just resonate with the thought of atonement, or to experience a sense of freedom and peace in isolation, escapism or urge for the search of one’s identity.