A Study of Hegelian Dialectical Embodiment in “Nostromo” written by Joseph Conrad

Abstract

The present study investigates Hegel’s theory of dialectic consisting of thesis, antithesis and synthesis, considering social, political and moral concerns in the well known novel written by Joseph Conrad, namely Nostromo. Using Dialectic theory, the famous theory of George Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, the German philosopher, the novel is evaluated in terms of the Dialectical features. In general, Conrad’s Nostromo novel is investigated here since it is deeply suspected to be closely associated with Dialectic and Hegel’s Dialectic theory based on which, everything is transient and finite, existing in the medium of time; everything is composed of contradictions (opposing forces); gradual changes lead to crises, turning points when one force overcomes its opponent force (quantitative change leads to qualitative change); and finally, change is helical (spiral), not circular (negation of the negation).