The Nigger of the “Narcissus” (Masterplots, Revised Second Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Joseph Conrad
- First Published: 1897
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Symbolic realism
- Time of Work: Nineteenth century
- Setting: Bombay to London
- Principal Characters: James Wait, Donkin, Singleton, Mr. Baker, Captain Allistoun
- 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
The Story:
The British freighter Narcissus lay in Bombay harbor on a hot, sticky tropical night in the 1890’s. Already loaded, it was to sail the next morning on its homeward voyage. The last crew member to come aboard was a huge black man, James Wait. Wait had a severe cough and asked his shipmates to help him in stowing his gear. A little later, the men were in their bunks, and the only sound was snoring, interrupted at times by Wait’s fits of coughing.
At daylight, the Narcissus sailed. That evening, as the sailors gathered in little groups about the...
[The entire page is 2454 words long]
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