IL Conde, A Short Story by Joseph Conrad
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ม.ค. 2025
- "Il Conde" by Joseph Conrad is a short story that delves into the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death, told through the encounter between a narrator and an elderly Italian nobleman, the Count, during a carriage ride in Naples. The Count, dignified yet touched by a personal melancholy, reveals his fear of death after a recent assassination attempt, which has profoundly affected his outlook on life. Throughout their conversation, the narrator perceives the Count's deep-seated vanity and his struggle to maintain a semblance of youthfulness and vitality despite his advancing age. The story is marked by Conrad's characteristic exploration of human psychology, offering insights into how individuals cope with their mortality.
Yes, things are not clearly spelled out, are they? I will listen to it again. But I was reminded of something Alice Munro, another master short story writer, said in an interview. She said that her goal is simply to look very, very well at what is. Perhaps that's a way to look at this story: the cultured, gentle character of the Count; his encounter with some human evil in the midst of a refined event; the effect that has on him, and on the narrator. It makes me think of the mysterious strangeness of the world, and what a challenge it is to be at ease in it. But I will listen again . . .
I enjoyed this story, however, I’m not sure I truly understood the meaning or the ending. I’d appreciate hearing from anyone who has any comments or explanations.
I just listened again. It's such brilliant writing! This time I felt there was a certain inevitability that the Count's cossetted existence would be disturbed. Perhaps there was a hint of that early on when the narrator observed that the Count had not made his fortune himself, for the making of fortunes requires a degree of roughness. I like that Conrad does not pass judgment however, he just describes.
I'm not sure what to make of the ending. The Count, having discovered the perfect place to live, is now compelled to leave for fear of death. But returning to his home climate will also lead to his death. And is the young capo simply evil? Is he also the product of his family history? Many questions to ponder.
The old count, living in Naples for health reasons, is robbed by a young man who turns out to be a member of the Neapolitan mafia (Camorra). When the robber finds put that the Count had managed to hold back some gold coins during the robbery, he threatens him and the Count returns North, choosing the manner of his own death (the cold northern climate) rather than waiting to be killed. It was clear enough to me.