Leggatt as an Independent Character in Joseph Conrad's "The Secret Sha

Leggatt as an Independent Character in Joseph Conrads The Secret sh arr This essay examines Leggatt as an independent person, rather than as a sign connected to the headman-narrator, a view shared by many another(prenominal) critics. Leggatt is not a negative influence on the captain per se. From an objective point of view, it can be seen that Leggatts portrayal depends entirely on how the captain (as narrator) perceives him, and that he deserves to be treated as the individual existence that he is. Many of Conrads critics, most notably Albert J. Guerard , Robert W. Stallmann , have interpreted the view that Leggatt, of the novella The Secret Sharer, is either some sort of symbolisation of the captains dark side, a kind of role manikin for the captain, or that he is part of the captain. In this essay I lead outset examine the captains portrayal of Leggatt, then present that Leggatt is none of these, rather, he is a complete person in and of himself, and not simply part of the captains personality deficiencies. At first glance it would seem that Leggatt is either the antagonist or provides a barbarous influence on the captain. By no means are Leggatts decisions and actions exemplary.

Murdering mutinous crew members is hardly an acceptable practice, and avoiding justice, and ones penalisation?all of which Leggatt do?only worsen the issue. The captain claims that in swimming to the island Koh-ring, his double had lowered himself into the water to take his penalization (Conrad 193). However, as Cedric Watts argues, this is only true because Leggatt, by escaping justice, will face an dubious future marooned on an island (134). In reality, Leggatt is doing the opposite; he is lowering himself into the water to escape from the law, for it is un ilkly that he would get off scot-free in court. The captain describes Koh-ring as a towering black mass like the very gateway of Erebus, (Conrad 193) Erebus being the cavern through which the souls of the dead entered the pits... If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay

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