Under Western Eyes by Joseph Conrad
"Under Western Eyes" is a novel by Joseph Conrad, published in 1911, that explores themes of identity, betrayal, and the complexities of political ideology through the experiences of its central character, Razumov. A student at St. Petersburg University, Razumov is portrayed as introspective and ambitious, yet he remains detached from the revolutionary fervor consuming those around him. His life takes a dramatic turn when he is drawn into a political crisis involving his acquaintance Victor Haldin, who has committed a politically motivated assassination.
As Razumov grapples with the moral and ethical dilemmas posed by his association with Haldin, he is thrust into a web of deception and espionage that challenges his sense of self and belonging. The narrative delves into the repercussions of betrayal, not only within the political landscape but also in personal relationships, particularly as Razumov navigates his interactions with Haldin's family in Geneva. Ultimately, the novel reflects on the individual's struggle within oppressive political structures and the search for personal integrity amidst external chaos.
Conrad's work is noted for its rich psychological depth and intricate character development, inviting readers to ponder the broader implications of loyalty, patriotism, and the human condition in times of turmoil.
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Under Western Eyes by Joseph Conrad
First published: 1911
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Psychological realism
Time of plot: Early twentieth century
Locale: St. Petersburg, Russia; Geneva, Switzerland
Principal characters
Razumov , a Russian studentVictor Haldin , a revolutionistNathalie Haldin , his sisterMrs. Haldin , the mother of Victor and NathalieThe English Professor , a friend of the Haldins
The Story:
A student at the St. Petersburg University, Razumov, while not talkative or gregarious, is generally respected by the other students. His silences are attributed to profundity of thought, and his behavior inspires confidence and good opinion. Absorbed in his studies, Razumov remains largely indifferent to the impression he makes on his fellow students. He dreams of winning scholarly honors, and he has no wish to become involved in the revolutionary activities that occupy the minds of such acquaintances as Victor Haldin, a youth in whose company he occasionally spends some time. Razumov’s mother is dead; his father, Prince K——, acknowledges his illegitimate son only to the extent of sending him money secretly, through an intermediary. As a result, the unspent feeling that Razumov is unable to direct toward parents or toward family finds its way into other channels. He lavishes much of it on his country and feels, in his loneliness, that if he were not a Russian, he would not be anything.
The pattern of Razumov’s life is abruptly altered by a strange turn of circumstances. On a snowy morning in St. Petersburg, a sensational event occurs—a political terrorist assassinates a prominent government official and then escapes. An hour or two later, the unsuspecting Razumov returns to his apartment to find a visitor awaiting him. The guest is Victor Haldin. Presuming on his casual acquaintance with Razumov, Haldin selects the latter’s quarters as a place of temporary refuge. When pressed for an explanation, he confesses that he is the killer sought by the police. He asks Razumov to help him in making his escape from the city.
Razumov is dismayed and knows he will be compromised and ruined by Haldin’s visit if it ever becomes known. He goes, nevertheless, in search of a driver who might spirit Haldin away, but he finds one helplessly drunk. His dismay and despair deepen; finally, Razumov decides that he cannot continue to shield Haldin. In his extremity, he breaks an unwritten rule by calling on Prince K—— to ask his advice and beg his protection. Prince K—— immediately contacts the authorities, and Haldin is promptly apprehended and executed. After an extended interrogation by General T—— and Councilor Mikulin, Razumov is released, but not before he is marked down by the councilor’s sharp eyes as a tool of great potential usefulness to the government.
Meanwhile, in Geneva, Haldin’s mother and sister wait anxiously for news of him. When word of his execution arrives, they are grief-stricken and bewildered. Their efforts to find out the exact circumstances of his end are blocked by the mystery and vagueness that shroud the whole affair. Nathalie, Victor’s sister, is relieved when she hears that a Russian named Razumov arrived in Geneva. According to rumors that were circulating, this man is an escaped colleague of her brother, a fellow conspirator and revolutionist. Surely he, better than any other, will be able to solve the puzzle of her brother’s arrest and execution.
To the Haldins, Razumov proves to be an elusive and an enigmatic quarry. He loses himself at once in a circle of revolutionists in exile, including the celebrated Peter Ivanovitch, the legendary Madame de S——, and the sinister Nikita. Among them, he is admired as a hero. Razumov finds this role increasingly difficult to maintain, especially after he meets Nathalie and falls in love with her. Razumov finally breaks under the strain of maintaining his deception. Through his journal, which he sends to Nathalie, she learns his true relationship to her brother. On an impulse, he then confesses to the revolutionists the fact that he is a government spy. He is brutally beaten by Nikita, and his hearing is destroyed. Stumbling in front of a tramcar, he suffers from two broken limbs and a crushed side and is picked up by passersby and carried to a hospital.
The tragic story of Razumov might end there, but his will to live proves too strong. Nursed back to partial health by a motherly revolutionist, he eventually returns to his homeland. There, in the south of Russia, he shares a two-room cottage with his Good Samaritan friend, the devoted Tekla. Some of the revolutionists come to regret the cruel treatment Razumov received at their hands. Periodically, they visit his cottage to be stimulated by his intelligent and original views on politics, on society, and on morality.
Bibliography
Carabine, Keith. The Life and the Art: A Study of Conrad’s “Under Western Eyes.” New York: Rodopi, 1996. A study of the relationship between Conrad’s life and his art as demonstrated in Under Western Eyes. Focuses on Conrad’s creation of the novel he described as “without doubt” the “most deeply meditated novel that came from under my pen.”
Hay, Eloise Knapp. The Political Novels of Joseph Conrad. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1963. Studies the variety of political thought and themes in Conrad’s work. The chapter on Under Western Eyes calls it Conrad’s “last great political novel.”
Kaplan, Carola M., Peter Mallios, and Andrea White, eds. Conrad in the Twenty-first Century: Contemporary Approaches and Perspectives. New York: Routledge, 2005. Collection of essays that analyze Conrad’s depiction of postcolonialism, empire, imperialism, and modernism. Includes two essays focusing on Under Western Eyes.
Peters, John G. The Cambridge Introduction to Joseph Conrad. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006. An introductory overview of Conrad, with information on his life, all of his works, and his critical reception.
Rieselbach, Helen Funk. Conrad’s Rebels: The Psychology of Revolution in the Novels from “Nostromo” to “Victory.” Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1985. Discusses the consequences of Razumov’s speech and silence. Calls the novel “Conrad’s most extensive treatment of the theme of betrayal—the psychological motivations behind it and its consequences.”
Robert, Andrew Michael. Conrad and Masculinity. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2000. Uses modern theories about masculinity to analyze Conrad’s work and explore the relationship of masculinity to imperialism and modernity. Under Western Eyes is discussed in the chapter entitled “Masculinity, ’Woman’ and Truth: The Secret Agent, Under Western Eyes, Chance.”
Schwarz, Daniel R. Conrad: “Almayer’s Folly” to “Under Western Eyes.” Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, 1980. Contains an excellent chapter on Under Western Eyes, focusing on the novel’s “rejection of political commitment in favor of personal relationships and private commitments.”
Smith, David R., ed. Joseph Conrad’s “Under Western Eyes”: Beginnings, Revisions, Final Forms. Hamden, Conn.: Archon Books, 1991. Five essays by Conrad specialists trace the development of the novel from manuscript to finished work and cover a variety of topics related to the book.
Stape, J. H., ed. The Cambridge Companion to Joseph Conrad. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1996. Collection of essays discussing Conrad’s life and analyzing his work, including discussions of the Conradian narrative, Conrad and imperialism, Conrad and modernism, and Conrad’s literary influence. Keith Carabine’s essay focuses on Under Western Eyes.
Watts, Cedric. A Preface to Conrad. 2d ed. New York: Longman, 1993. A good starting point for Conrad scholarship, with general biographical and cultural background on the writer.