Research Paper on:
Human Qualities in Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
very British view of life that the most important thing that one can ever do is be self-sacrificing and become a hero. This is Jims lifelong ambition and one that  has traditionally been highly prized by society. However, throughout the novel, Jims romantic, hero-worshipping nature is demonstrated by Conrad to be less mature, less admirable than Marlows more realistic view  of life. Not that Conrad is denigrating self-sacrifice -- quite the contrary -- but, rather he shows that the heroic ideal is something that men like Marlow simply do because  it is the right thing to do, while Jim runs into trouble because he hesitates and hedges his bets, until the last, when he finally achieves h is goal of  behaving heroically only to meet his death. As an adolescent, Jim was aboard an English training vessel during a severe storm. He held the position of "first stroke" in the  lifeboat drill, which was a position of honor. During the storm, the lifeboat is called upon to rescue the crew of anther ship that is foundering. Jim is suppose to  race to his post, but, instead, he hesitates for just a moment, and another boy is able to grab his spot. The lifeboat achieves its goal and returns safely and  all the boys are acclaimed as heroes. Jim regrets having missed his chance to be a hero and resolves to be ready the next time. The next chance occurs  when he is first mate on a dilapidated steamer, the Patna. This ship goes aground on top of the submerged wreck of a Norwegian boat. The Patnas rusty bulkhead gives  way immediately, and the crew, including the captain, abandons ship even thought there are 800 passengers onboard. Jim is horrified at the thought of his loss of life, but there