Quotes from bookUnder Western Eyes
Under Western Eyes is a novel by Joseph Conrad. The novel takes place in St. Petersburg, Russia and Geneva, Switzerland and is viewed as Conrad's response to the themes explored in Crime and Punishment; Conrad was reputed to have detested Dostoevsky. It is also, some say, Conrad's response to his own early life; his father was a famous revolutionary imprisoned by the Russians, but, instead of following in his father's footsteps, at the age of sixteen Conrad left his native land, only to return briefly decades later. Indeed, while writing Under Western Eyes, Conrad suffered a weeks-long breakdown during which he conversed with the novel's characters in Polish.This novel is considered to be one of Conrad's major works and is close in subject matter to The Secret Agent. It is full of cynicism and conflict about the historical failures of revolutionary movements and ideals. Conrad remarks in this book, as well as others, on the irrationality of life, the opacity of character, the unfairness with which suffering is inflicted upon the innocent and poor and the careless disregard for the lives of those with whom we share existence.
“Words, as is well known, are the great foes of reality.”
Joseph Conrad book Under Western Eyes
Pt. I
Source: Under Western Eyes (1911)
Context: Words, as is well known, are the great foes of reality. I have been for many years a teacher of languages. It is an occupation which at length becomes fatal to whatever share of imagination, observation, and insight an ordinary person may be heir to. To a teacher of languages there comes a time when the world is but a place of many words and man appears a mere talking animal not much more wonderful than a parrot.
“Perhaps life is just that… a dream and a fear.”
Joseph Conrad book Under Western Eyes
Pt. IV, ch. 2
Under Western Eyes (1911)
“I take it that what all men are really after is some form or perhaps only some formula of peace.”
Joseph Conrad book Under Western Eyes
Pt. I
Under Western Eyes (1911)
“Let a fool be made serviceable according to his folly.”
Joseph Conrad book Under Western Eyes
Pt. I, ch. 3
Under Western Eyes (1911)
“A man's most open actions have a secret side to them.”
Joseph Conrad book Under Western Eyes
Pt. I, ch. 2
Under Western Eyes (1911)
Joseph Conrad book Under Western Eyes
Pt. I
Under Western Eyes (1911)
Context: Words, as is well known, are the great foes of reality. I have been for many years a teacher of languages. It is an occupation which at length becomes fatal to whatever share of imagination, observation, and insight an ordinary person may be heir to. To a teacher of languages there comes a time when the world is but a place of many words and man appears a mere talking animal not much more wonderful than a parrot.
