To Be, Or Not To Be :: essays research papers

According to Merrion-Webster Inc. Dictionary, a doppelgnger is a double, an often ghostly or evil counterpart to a character. It comes from the German language, doppel- double + -gnger goer. It might be asked, What does a doppelgnger have to do with a paper on Joseph Conrad? The answer is a lot, especially if Conrads The Secret Sharer is being discussed. In this short story, the two characters, the original and Leggatt, share many similarities, as well as differences. When comparing the similarities and differences, they can be used to show the duality between the captain and Leggatt. Conrad used Leggatt as a doppelgnger to help the captain come terms with himself.In 1880, Conrad was part of the crew of the Cutty Sark. On this ship, Sidney Smith killed a black man, John Francis. The captain of the Cutty Sark secretly helped Smith to an American ship, the Colorado. Four days later, Smith committed suicide (Daleski 171). Smith had not wanted to be tried for his murder. This experienc e is particularly provoke when one compares it to Conrads short story, The Secret Sharer. Conrad directly used his knowledge of the occurrences aboard the Cutty Sark for that particular story.The Secret Sharer is a psychological masterpiece that dramatizes the act of sympathetic denomination with an outlaw. Also, it deals with the achievement of self-mastery when the secret self is exorcised (Graver 150). In it, the character Leggatt is the embodiment of the captains personality yet, he is not any higher or lower than the captain. Hes only different. He is one side, to a double-sided coin.In the story, the captain of a ship discovers a man named Leggatt. Leggatt had committed murder on the Sephora, on which he was first mate. non wanting to face a trial, he escaped. The captain and Leggatt form an immediate bond (Conrad 702). Comparing the two, they are both of the same stature, same background. The captain steady refers to Leggatt as his double, other self, or secret sharer alm ost 40 times (Graver 152). Conrad specifically implies that Leggatt is a doppelgnger, or the captains double.They do, however, possess striking differences in their personalities. Where the captain is apprehensive and uncertain of himself, Leggatt is rise of calmness and self-confidence (Conrad 702). In fact, part of the attractiveness that Leggatt has, is based on his obvious self-possession (Graver 152). Yet, it must be remembered that Leggatt killed a man.