(Ebook) Joseph Conrad and Postcritique. Politics of Hope, Politics of Fear by Jay Parker, Joyce Wexler, (Editors) ISBN 9783030724986, 3030724980

(Ebook) Joseph Conrad and Postcritique. Politics of Hope, Politics of Fear by Jay Parker, Joyce Wexler, (Editors) ISBN 9783030724986, 3030724980

This book takes a postcritical perspective on Joseph Conrad’s central texts, includingHeart of Darkness, The Secret Agent,Under Western Eyes, andLord Jim. Whereas critique is a form of reading that prioritizes suspicion, unmasking, and demystifying, postcritique ascribes positive value to the knowledge, affect, ethics, and politics that emerge from literature. The essays in this collection recognize the dark elements in Conrad’s fiction―deceit, vanity, avarice, lust, cynicism, and cruelty―yet they perceive hopefulness as well. Conrad’s skepticism unveils the dark heart of politics, and his critical heritage can feed our fear that humanity is incapable of improving. This Conrad is a well-known figure, but there is another, neglected Conrad that this book aims to bring to light, one who delves into the politics of hope as well as the politics of fear.