Death and Denial in Conrad's the Nigger of the “Narcissus”

Abstract

This essay is concerned with the themes of death and denial in Joseph Conrad's third novel, The Nigger of the “Narcissus.” Although this subject has received some attention in the past, it has not been explored from a modern psychological viewpoint, particularly as it relates to Weisman's concepts of denial and acceptance of death. The central conflict in the novel centers around man's response to the inevitability of death as represented by the crew of the “Narcissus” in its relationship to James Wait, a black man dying of tuberculosis aboard the ship. When the crew is unable to handle its denial and is confronted with the inevitability of death, disruption and mutiny occur. With final acceptance of Wait's death there is resolution of the conflict and a maturation of the crew.