The Nigger of the “Narcissus” (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Joseph Conrad
- First Published: 1897
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Psychological
- Time of Work: Nineteenth century
- Setting: Bombay to London
- Genres: Long fiction, Psychological fiction, Sea story
- Subjects: Voyages, Nineteenth century, Storms, India or East Indian people, London, Sailing or sailors, Atlantic Ocean, Sea or seafaring life, Mortality
- Locales: London, England, Oceans, Bombay, India
Characters Discussed
James Wait, an indolent and malingering black man from St. Kitts, the last crew member to report aboard the “Narcissus” as it prepares to get under way from Bombay to London by way of the Cape of Good Hope. A kind of Jonah, his emphasis on his illness and approaching death elicits from the crew a subtle and mistaken sympathy which is demoralizing except when work or great danger, such as the storm, draws them together. Wait dies when in sight of land, thereby lifting a burden from the crew and ship, and the ship reaches port without further...
[The entire page is 613 words long]
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