Abstract

Joseph Conrad is a distinguished writer of English modernistic literature in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. His wealth of sailing experience provides plentiful writing materials for sea stories. Honored as “Author of the Greatest Sea Stories”, Conrad is of great international influence. Youth, one of Conrad’s famous short stories, truly reflecting his sailing experience in 1882, is called “Modern English epic of the Sea” by English famous writer and critic Edward Garnett. This paper is to discuss three striking enlightenments of Youth. First, Marlow’s marine spirit highlights his sense of adventure and indomitable will of never giving up. In the face of difficulties, we should be brave enough to confront them. Second, the contrastive study on Santiago’s and Marlow’s struggles against nature redefines success and failure. Failures are inevitable on the way forward; however, so long as we are able to draw experience from process and perfect ourselves continuously, success is within reach. Third, adolescence is in no company with failure. Young people should be confident enough to pursue their dreams bravely. Only dare to make mistakes, face challenges and take lessons from failures can we youth keep forging ahead. It’s meaningful to guide the construction of contemporary teenagers’ positive spiritual outlook.

Key words: youth; marine spirit; success and failure

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1 Introduction.1 

2 Literature review.2 

3 Marlow’s marine spirit3 

3.1 Strong sense of adventure4 

3.2 The indomitable will of never giving up5 

4 The definition of success and failure6

4.1 Two struggles between man and nature.7

4.2 Marlow’s attitude towards success and failure8

5 The significance of youth9

5.1 No failure in adolescence.10

5.2 Youth—the cradle of dreams11

6 Conclusion.12

References 14