Shaping the self

Short Story

The potential for self-discovery, complemented by capacity for transformation, lies latent within each man. When circumstances start a strong government for alter, man discovers a way to motivate his innate potential. In Joseph Conrads The Secret Sharer, the overly rational chief finds him self lacking the courage required for his new position from the fullest responsibility (677). This individual impulsively carries out his anxious [self-]appointed process of [change] (677) when ever catalyzed by Leggatt, a murderer to whom he illegitimately protects. By simply breaking free from hesitancy and rationality and hurling him self into a alarmingly intense trial of his own features, the captain emerges as a matured and balanced individual.

The captain is actually a logical person of restraint and mind who is pushed into his position of leadership consequently of specific events of no particular significance (677). The producing responsibilities, yet , are of immense magnitude, and this individual doubts his ability to simultaneously handle the crew, the ship, and himself. Now that the peaceful communion [and comfort of subordination is] gone forever (677), the captain looks the incontrovertible fact that he is not just a stranger to the ship [but, more significantly, ] a stranger to [himself] (677). With his self deprecation and hesitancy reinforced by suspicion and lack of respect from the staff, the captain isolates himself.

This physical and psychological isolation forces the captain to live as someone rather than as being a mere element of a contemporary society (703). Alone with the acknowledgement that he must be always perfectly self-controlled [and] more than calm almost invulnerable (692) in order to succeed on his initially command (701), the captain furthermore desires to gain the respect and acceptance of his team and himself. He anxiously reaches inward for his potential to modify, in this quest to turn out devoted to that great conception of [his] very own personality [which he] creates for himself secretly (677), the captain sees Leggatt as the prime embodiment from the self-assurance and stubborn determination he demands and is lacking in, Leggatt is definitely an unrepentant murderer, the epitome of acting impulsively, recklessness, and self-confidence.

However , it is not through immediate association with Leggatt that the captain is able to bring out and integrate comparable qualities from within himself, not necessarily through a servile and cowardly imitation of Leggatt but rather through the high-risk feat of protecting Leggatt that they can become an integrated whole. Permitting his interest and feeling of kinship pertaining to Leggatt override his customary rationality, the captain impulsively commits him self to harboring the murderer. This strong disregard of the moral code of society, supplemented by the prioritization of his personal feelings, provides the captain together with the opportunity to fully exert himself.

Fearing the constant danger of discovery, the captain forces him self to maintain an unflagging vigilance. He combines his original shrewdness and caution with his developing boldness to keep Leggatt hidden. Coming from deceiving the captain of the Sephora to intimidating his steward and asserting him self, the captain stretches his abilities for the very limit. This process is definitely physically striving, and he painfully endures this much miserable time (693). Additionally, it is emotionally exhausting, for the impending danger of discovery is equally nerve-trying (691) and maddening (693). The effects of discovery, which include mutiny and conceivable death intended for the captain, are all too near and real. This individual selflessly surrender his very own stability, reassurance, and even sanity to protect Leggatt.

Indeed, the power of both the external and self-imposed stresses almost forces the captain to lose his sanity, he ha[s] arrive creeping gently as close to insanity every man who has not truly gone over the border (694). So stressful are these trials the captain is usually unconsciously enticed to return to the simple and familiar, paradoxically, the best danger is definitely not the threat of discovery, but rather the tempting comfort of rationality and certainty. In case the captain abandons his dependence upon feelings and disillusions himself too early, the intense molding of his psyche will go irretrievably to pieces (696). However , this individual manages to restrain rationality and persevere in his selfless and complete loyalty to Leggatt and thus meet the best per se (703), pertaining to, as Rob Waldo Emerson said, no man can sincerely make an effort to help one other without supporting himself.

By safeguarding Leggatt, the captain finally realizes the complete extent of his capabilities and gains confidence from this knowledge. His development in an integrated complete is completed when he mentally and physically slides open himself by Leggatt by dropping him off around Koh-ring. Disregarding the unwillingness of his crew and his own uncertainness, the captain recklessly and unyieldingly orders the dispatch to be helped bring dangerously and unnecessarily near to shore. To do so , he proves to himself that he features successfully included impulsiveness and confidence.

Afterwards, the captain safely and securely steers the ship faraway from shore and wins the confidence, trust, and value of his crew and himself, therefore achieving the perfect communion of a seaman along with his first control (701). With this feeling of completion, he no longer needs arsenic intoxication his secret sharer (701). In fact , the captain requires independence in order to prevent the emergence and the usage of any longer impulsiveness and reckless boldness which could otherwise whelm the fragile balance with his original rationality and reasonable restraint.

Ironically, the captain offers reached a state of well balanced wholeness and self-knowledge just to become a total stranger (700) once more, though he has come to terms with himself as the captain of a ship, fate will continue to present fresh and different circumstances. Consequently, the accompanying procedures of self-discovery and personal change are cyclical, and the captain has completed one cycle only to get started another, therefore striking to a new lives (701).