The Return by Joseph Conrad (1926)
The novel revolves around a man who returns to his homeland after years abroad, bringing with him a sense of disillusionment and moral decay. He is haunted by the memories of his past actions and struggles to reconcile himself with the society he once knew. As he navigates the complexities of his own psyche, he becomes increasingly isolated from those around him, unable to form genuine connections or find redemption. His return serves as a catalyst for self-reflection, forcing him to confront the darkness within himself and the emptiness of his existence. Throughout the narrative, themes of alienation, guilt, and the search for meaning are explored in depth, raising questions about the nature of identity, morality, and the human condition.
By Joseph Conrad · First published 1926 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Adventure, Psychological Fiction · 25,064 words
First lines
The inner circle train from the City rushed impetuously out of a black hole and pulled up with a discordant, grinding racket in the smirched twilight of a West-End station. A line of doors flew open and a lot of men stepped out headlong. They had high hats, healthy pale faces, dark overcoats and shiny boots; they held in their gloved hands thin umbrellas and hastily folded evening papers that resembled stiff, dirty rags of greenish, pinkish, or whitish colour. Alvan Hervey stepped out with the rest, a smouldering cigar between his teeth. A disregarded little woman in rusty black, with both arms full of parcels, ran along in distress, bolted suddenly into a third-class compartment and the train went on. The slamming of carriage doors burst out sharp and spiteful like a fusillade; an icy draught mingled with acrid fumes swept the whole length of the platform and made a tottering old man, wrapped up to his ears in a woollen comforter, stop short in the moving throng to cough violently over his stick. No one spared him a glance.
What this Textopian page supports
The Return is listed on Textopian as a novel by Joseph Conrad, dated 1926 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: 1926 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Adventure, Psychological Fiction, Historical Fiction, Philosophical Fiction
- Length: 25,064 words
- Structure: 1 section, 290 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Return by Joseph Conrad
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Return?
- How does this novel by Joseph Conrad fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Victory by Joseph Conrad
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- The Tale by Joseph Conrad
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes and character development, focusing on the human experience.
- Adventure — The narrative involves journeys and exploration, central to the plot.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the inner thoughts and emotions of characters, revealing their psychological states.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and context reflect historical elements that influence the narrative.
Tags
Adventure · Colonialism · Coming-of-age · Identity · Isolation · Maritime · Moral ambiguity · Psychological complexity · Rebellion · Self-discovery · Social commentary · Societal critique