Today's Elites

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Thoughts on Joseph Conrad

What really is at the bottom of all worthwhile literature? Take the case of one Polish ex-patriot in the heart of darkness of her majesty's Empire. To put a fine point on it, the literary tradition of combating the evils of the Empire is nowhere so evident for those that read not merely to be entertained than in the writings of Joseph Conrad. Take for instance the creation of the proverbial lone assassin zombie (derivation: see Old Man of the Mountain) in his novel The Secret Agent. Jump to Lee Harvey Oswald's curious declaration before his prearranged demise "I am a patsy." Or read his Nostromo for how an intelligence asset goes off the reservation. Then see Qaddafi's curious career starting at the royal Sandhurst academy. Now we hear of Qaddafi's loyal cooperation in the spooky practice of renditions of al Qaeda operatives. Ah, Perfide Albion.
See The Bravo by James Fenimore Cooper for the Venetian roots of today's City of London wetworks.

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