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
Marlow, who has this entire time still been telling the story of Jim’s life after dinner at a party in the present, says that eventually he would see Jim become a hero, loved and admired by many. The last time Marlow saw Jim, Jim was in a forest; he looked powerful, happy, and at one with nature. Marlow is glad of this outcome for Jim, although for his own peace of mind, a part of him regrets standing between Jim and Chester’s offer—it turns out Chester and a crew of 22 all disappeared during a hurricane, providing a sad but definitive ending. Marlow says Jim was “too interesting or too unfortunate” to meet a fate like Chester’s.
Most chapters in the middle of the book are told almost entirely in quotation marks, as a monologue by Marlow. This looks strange on the page, raising the question of why the novel doesn’t just have Marlow as a first-person narrator. Perhaps the frame story in the middle of Lord Jim calls attention to Marlow’s role as teller of the story, putting additional emphasis on how he is merely giving one personal perspective and is not some all-knowing authority commenting on the events from a distance.
Themes
Marlow resumes his story where he left off. Jim leaves the veranda and reenters Marlow’s bedroom. Marlow is very afraid of what Jim will say at that moment, but Jim just asks for tobacco. Jim starts talking in half sentences about how he’s glad the inquiry is over but is still uncertain about what’s to come. Slowly, Jim becomes more confident, saying that if the Patna affair can’t touch him, nothing can. He thanks Marlow for being so good to him the whole time.
This passage helps cement the bond between Jim and Marlow. Jim’s pride makes it difficult for him to trust new people, but Marlow’s inviting Jim into his bedroom shows a willingness to be vulnerable, which is perhaps what wins Jim over. Marlow’s patience and kindness contrasts with how the rest of the world has treated him. In the outside world, Jim feels constant pressure to always be a hero—but with Marlow, he can be himself.
Themes
Jim suddenly decides to leave, even though it’s pouring rain outside and dark. Marlow tries to invite him to dinner, but Jim stands in the open doorway.
Jim once again nearly makes a rash decision. The harsh conditions outside contrast with Marlow’s gentle treatment of Jim.
Themes
