Conrad's Vision of Global Modernity

By Mohammed Akram Nacif

This book examines Joseph Conrad as a prescient critic of early globalization, arguing that his novels anticipate today's global capitalist order rather than merely reflect nineteenth-century imperialism. Combining Conrad's psychological insight with a politicized worldview rooted in his traumatic childhood, the study explores how global modernity transforms individual subjectivity and restricts human agency. Drawing on theoretical frameworks from Hardt and Negri's Empire and Christopher GoGwilt's The Invention of the West, it analyzes three canonical works: Heart of Darkness, Lord Jim, and Nostromo. The book examines symbols of global capitalism, forms of biopolitical control, and the ways in which legal and socio-cultural forces shape individual behavior. It also considers the attempts of Kurtz, Jim, and Nostromo to resist these pervasive systems. The concluding discussion explores Conrad's complex ethics, balancing his bleak diagnosis of global capitalism with an enduring commitment to human values.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 6630353897
• ISBN13: 9786630353891
• Release Date: August 2026
• Publisher: Scholars' Press
• Length: 116 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"