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Chapter 14
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Lord Jim, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Fantasy vs. Reality
Justice and Duty
Racism and Colonialism
Truth and Perspective
Summary
Analysis
In the aftermath of Jim’s inquiry, Marlow wants to see Jim right away but gets delayed by other appointments. Finally, he sees Jim down by the quay. Jim looks to Marlow like someone with nowhere in the world where he can withdraw and be lonely. Marlow lets Jim stay in his bedroom while Marlow starts writing letters to various acquaintances.
Jim’s inability to be lonely reflects how Jim constantly seeks approval from others. It’s possible to read homosexual innuendo in certain parts of Conrad’s writing, such as this scene where Marlow invites Jim to his bedroom (although Conrad himself was private about his personal life and wasn’t openly gay or bisexual).
Themes
Suddenly, while Marlow is writing his letters, he hears the sound of Jim going out on the veranda. Marlow is afraid Jim will commit suicide by jumping off (although a part of him also wonders if that would be the simplest solution to everyone’s problems). He considers whether maybe he should let Jim know about Chester’s offer after all.
Marlow has been afraid of suicide ever since he heard about Brierly’s sudden, unexpected suicide. If Jim were to commit suicide by jumping, it would make a grimly fitting parallel to how he jumped off the Patna.
Themes
