The Point of Honor by Joseph Conrad
The novel revolves around the theme of honor and its corrupting influence on individuals. It is set in a Spanish-American community in Cuba during the late 19th century. The story centers around an old aristocrat who seeks to protect his family's reputation by upholding a point of honor, even if it means sacrificing personal relationships and dignity. His actions are driven by a sense of duty and loyalty to his family's legacy. As the narrative unfolds, the protagonist's rigid adherence to this code of honor leads to a series of tragic events that ultimately destroy the very thing he sought to preserve. The novel explores the tension between individual desire and societal expectations, highlighting the dangers of allowing honor to become an all-consuming force in one's life. Through its exploration of this complex theme, the novel raises questions about the nature of morality, loyalty, and the human condition.
By Joseph Conrad · First published 1902 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Historical Fiction · 4 chapters · 36,303 words
First lines
Napoleon the First, whose career had the quality of a duel against the whole of Europe, disliked duelling between the officers of his army. The great military emperor was not a swashbuckler, and had little respect for tradition.
What this Textopian page supports
The Point of Honor is listed on Textopian as a novel by Joseph Conrad, dated 1902 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Joseph Conrad
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Historical Fiction, Adventure Fiction, Drama
- Length: 36,303 words
- Structure: 4 chapters, 556 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Point of Honor by Joseph Conrad
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of honor, morality, and human psychology, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the inner thoughts and motivations of characters, emphasizing psychological depth.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and context reflect historical elements, providing a backdrop that influences character actions and themes.
- Adventure Fiction — The plot involves elements of conflict and personal struggle, typical of adventure narratives.
Tags
Spanish-American War · Historical Fiction · Literary Fiction · Psychological Insight · Social Commentary · Morality Play · Cultural Clash · National Identity · Honor System · Code of Conduct · Class Conflict · Ethnic Tension