Name: Lord Jim
Author: Joseph Conrad
ISBN: 9780194631778

Lord Jim

Joseph Conrad

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Author Description

A level 4 Oxford Bookworms Library graded reader. This version includes an audio book: listen to the story as you read.Retold for Learners of English by Clare West.A hundred years ago a seaman’s life was full of danger, but Jim, the first mate on board the Patna, is not afraid of danger. He is young, strong, confident of his bravery. He dreams of great adventures – and the chance to show the world what a hero he is.But the sea is no place for dreamers. When the chance comes, on a calm moonlit night in the Indian Ocean, Jim fails the test, and his world falls to pieces around him. He disappears into the jungles of south-east Asia, searching for a way to prove himself, once and for all...

Menrva's Summary

THE PULSE

Jim, a young and ambitious first mate, faces a moral crisis that shatters his reputation and forces him to seek redemption in the remote jungles of Southeast Asia. Driven by a desire to prove his heroism, Jim abandons his post during a critical moment of danger, an act that haunts his conscience and dictates his subsequent search for atonement. The narrative operates through a complex, layered structure, often utilizing a narrator named Marlow to reconstruct Jim's life through fragmented accounts and retrospective analysis. This framework emphasizes the psychological weight of honor and the difficulty of maintaining one's self-image when confronted with personal failure.

INSIDE THE PAGES

Retold for English language learners with simplified vocabulary and syntax
Inclusion of an integrated audio component for auditory reinforcement
Exploration of the psychological consequences of cowardice and guilt
Use of a frame narrative structure to present the protagonist's history
Setting shifts from the high seas of the Indian Ocean to the isolated jungles of Southeast Asia
Focus on the internal conflict between romanticized ideals and harsh reality
Examination of the social codes governing maritime life in the late nineteenth century
Character study of a man attempting to escape his past through self-imposed exile

THE COLLECTIVE ECHO

Readers and critics frequently highlight the effectiveness of the frame narrative in creating a sense of mystery around Jim's true character. Discussion often centers on the moral ambiguity of the protagonist's actions and whether his ultimate sacrifice constitutes genuine redemption. The pacing is noted for being deliberate, prioritizing philosophical inquiry over rapid action sequences. Many appreciate how the simplified language in this edition maintains the core thematic weight of the original text while remaining accessible to a broader audience.

Page Count:
104

Publication Date:
2014-01-01

Publisher:
Oxford University Press

ISBN-10:
019463177X

ISBN-13:
9780194631778

Literary Fiction

Adventure

classic

English speakers

English & College Success

Sea Stories

Study Aids