Table of Contents
Summary of the Story
Miss Bessie Carvil, a young woman living with her blind and irritable father, Mr. Carvil, often interacts with Captain Hagberd. She listens to his tales and hopes, humoring him but also feeling the weight of his delusion. Her life is marked by the duty of caring for her father, whose blindness has made him bitter and demanding.
One day, a man who claims to be Harry returns, but his motives are unclear, and he seems to be more interested in getting money from Bessie than reuniting with his father. This encounter leaves Bessie feeling distressed and trapped between the expectations of Captain Hagberd and the harsh reality of her own life.
Understanding the Text
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What is the consistency one finds in the old man’s madness?
- The consistency in Captain Hagberd's madness lies in his unwavering belief that his son, Harry, will return "tomorrow." This belief is so strong that it shapes his entire life and actions, providing him with a sense of purpose and hope despite the passage of time and the improbability of the event.
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How does Captain Hagberd prepare for Harry’s homecoming?
- Captain Hagberd prepares for Harry’s homecoming by making various practical arrangements. He builds two cottages, one for himself and one for Harry. He maintains a hopeful and expectant demeanour, continually talking about Harry’s imminent return and making plans for their future together.
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How did Bessie begin to share Hagberd’s insanity regarding his son?
- Bessie begins to share Hagberd’s insanity regarding his son by gradually becoming involved in his delusions. Her frequent interactions with Hagberd and her sympathy for his plight lead her to humour his beliefs, and over time, she becomes emotionally invested in the idea of Harry’s return, despite recognising the improbability of it.
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What were Harry’s reasons for coming to meet old Hagberd?
- Harry’s reasons for coming to meet old Hagberd were primarily financial. He was not interested in reuniting with his father out of affection or a desire to mend their relationship. Instead, his motives were selfish, as he was seeking money and possibly trying to exploit the situation to his advantage.
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Why does Harry’s return prove to be a disappointment for Bessie?
- Harry’s return proves to be a disappointment for Bessie because he does not live up to the idealised image that Captain Hagberd had created. Instead of being the long-lost son returning to fulfil his father’s dreams, Harry is revealed to be self-serving and uninterested in the reunion, shattering the hopes and delusions that Bessie had begun to share.
Talking about the Text
1. ‘Every mental state, even madness, has its equilibrium based upon self-esteem. Its disturbance causes unhappiness’.
- Discussion: This statement suggests that even in a state of madness, there is a certain balance that is maintained by an individual's self-esteem. Disturbing this balance can lead to unhappiness and further psychological distress. In the context of the story, Captain Hagberd’s belief in his son’s return provides him with a sense of purpose and maintains his self-esteem. If this belief were disturbed, it would likely lead to a collapse of his mental state and profound unhappiness.
2. Joyce’s ‘Eveline’ and Conrad’s ‘Tomorrow’ are thematically similar.
- Discussion: Both stories deal with the theme of waiting and the paralysis that can come with it. In Joyce’s “Eveline,” the protagonist is stuck in a state of indecision about leaving her home, much like Captain Hagberd is stuck in the delusion of his son’s return. Both characters are unable to move forward with their lives, trapped by their circumstances and their own mental states.
Appreciation
1. Comment on the technique used by the author to unfold the story of Captain Hagberd’s past.
- Answer: Joseph Conrad uses a gradual revelation technique to unfold the story of Captain Hagberd’s past. Through the interactions and conversations between the characters, particularly between Captain Hagberd, Bessie, and Harry, readers slowly learn about Hagberd’s long wait for his son and the impact it has had on his life. This method keeps the readers engaged and builds suspense as the layers of the story are peeled back bit by bit.
2. Identify instances in the story in which you find streaks of insanity in people other than Hagberd. What implications do they suggest?
- Answer: One instance of insanity in the story is found in Bessie’s growing belief in Captain Hagberd’s delusion. Despite knowing the improbability of Harry’s return, she begins to share in Hagberd’s hope, indicating how prolonged exposure to someone’s madness can affect others. Another instance is in Harry’s erratic behaviour and his self-serving motives upon his return. These examples suggest that madness can be contagious and that everyone has the potential for irrational behaviour under certain circumstances.
Task
Language Work
A. Figures of Speech: Allusion
Example 1:
- Allusion: Captain Hagberd is compared to Father Neptune.
- Comparison: The comparison highlights Hagberd's maritime background and his current disheveled state. Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, symbolizes power and authority over the ocean. By comparing Hagberd to a "deposed sea-god," Conrad underscores Hagberd's fall from a commanding sea captain to a delusional, land-bound old man who has exchanged his former power (the trident) for a humble tool (the spade), signifying his loss of status and control.
Example 2:
- Allusion: "The hopeful madness of the world had broken out."
- Comparison: This phrase alludes to the idea that the world is filled with irrational hope and madness, reflecting Captain Hagberd’s unrealistic and obsessive hope for his son's return. This comparison suggests that his delusion is not unique but part of a broader human condition characterized by irrational hopes and dreams.
B. Pronunciation
Complete the columns below and mark the syllable that receives primary stress.
| Verb | Noun |
|---|---|
| present | presentation |
| examine | examination |
| produce | production |
| calculate | calculation |
| distribute | distribution |
| specialise | specialisation |
