Anomie in Joseph Conrad's Early Fiction

The main objective of this book is to explore the concept of anomie in selected works by Joseph Conrad guided by Robert Merton's theory of anomie. The book focuses on Conrad's often neglected early fiction. The first part of the book discusses anomie as a lack of balance between the cultural goals of individuals and the institutional means set by society. The second part shows how far anomie can lead to the downfall of individuals as well as the destruction of societies. By doing so, the book aims to show that Conrad, though implicitly, directs the attention of his readers to positively examine the oppressive social norms that may lead to anomie. Both case studies present reasonable solutions that can modify the oppressive social elements that cause man's suffering in life. An understanding of these elements is an attempt to evade an inevitable clash between man and his society.