"Le Nègre du 'Narcisse'" by Joseph Conrad is a novella written in the late 19th century. The story is set aboard a ship called the Narcisse and primarily revolves around James Wait, a black character who joins the crew and his interactions with the predominantly white sailors. The work explores themes of race, class, and the human condition against the backdrop of maritime life. At the start of the novella, we are
introduced to the ship and its crew as they prepare to set sail. The second-in-command, Mr. Baker, is conducting a roll call, ensuring that all crew members are aboard. James Wait, the newly arrived black sailor, joins just in time for the count, prompting a mix of curiosity and apprehension among the other crew members. Through a vivid description of the diverse characters and their interactions, we see the onset of tensions and dynamics that are set to unfold, particularly influenced by Wait's presence amid the existing racial hierarchies and the struggles of life at sea. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
