The Lagoon
Tongyoo 1
Varattha Tongyoo
2202234 Introduction to the Study of English Literature
Acharn Rongrat Dusdeesurapot
September 18, 2010
Final Paper
Arsat : Life that hanging on the moral, traditional values and blind love
Joseph Conrad’s “The lagoon” portrays the life of a Malaysian man “Arsat” who afraid to live forward, just waiting for the bright future which is not likely to come, even at the dawn of the new day after the death of his wife. In this short story of Conrad, intensely describes the dramatic feeling of Arsat , suffered by his own decision which result in the sad ending of his brother and wife. As the story proceeds, it gradually revealing many point of view which have powerful effect on Arsat’s life.
Arsat, as an ordinary man, has affection toward Diamelen (his lover, who was previously a servant of the Rajah's wife). But his desire some how not easily to be completed. As one’s life is not only depend on itself, it has to adjust itself with others life in the world, containing variation of livings. Social is one of the powerful factor that effecting Arsat’s life, if there is no social there might not have the elopement. Social always has its own way of administration such as social judgement and traditional values which were used as an organization of the society. Arsat, too, is one of the victim of the society because of its self-organization, being a victim in traditional valuation bringing the great mistake to his decision. In Conrad’s works, he always contrasts Eastern and Western attitude, describing Western as an area of modern civilization and Eastern as an ancient civilization. Therefore, Eastern countries are full of out-of-date, undeveloped and impractical tradition. The duty of Arsat as the
Varattha Tongyoo
2202234 Introduction to the Study of English Literature
Acharn Rongrat Dusdeesurapot
September 18, 2010
Final Paper
Arsat : Life that hanging on the moral, traditional values and blind love
Joseph Conrad’s “The lagoon” portrays the life of a Malaysian man “Arsat” who afraid to live forward, just waiting for the bright future which is not likely to come, even at the dawn of the new day after the death of his wife. In this short story of Conrad, intensely describes the dramatic feeling of Arsat , suffered by his own decision which result in the sad ending of his brother and wife. As the story proceeds, it gradually revealing many point of view which have powerful effect on Arsat’s life.
Arsat, as an ordinary man, has affection toward Diamelen (his lover, who was previously a servant of the Rajah's wife). But his desire some how not easily to be completed. As one’s life is not only depend on itself, it has to adjust itself with others life in the world, containing variation of livings. Social is one of the powerful factor that effecting Arsat’s life, if there is no social there might not have the elopement. Social always has its own way of administration such as social judgement and traditional values which were used as an organization of the society. Arsat, too, is one of the victim of the society because of its self-organization, being a victim in traditional valuation bringing the great mistake to his decision. In Conrad’s works, he always contrasts Eastern and Western attitude, describing Western as an area of modern civilization and Eastern as an ancient civilization. Therefore, Eastern countries are full of out-of-date, undeveloped and impractical tradition. The duty of Arsat as the