ODU Journal of Social Sciences Research

Abstract

In terms of modernism, human’s search for meaning and attempt to position themselves in the universe enables the
emergence of a universal code of meaning as regards matter-human, human-human and human-society relations.
One of the most significant signs of human’s defeat by the social system, life and civilisation, in which s/he must
have the central position, is that the matter/object is regarded as more important than the human. Joseph Conrad, a
Polish author in origin, who constructs his novels in both isolated seas and multi-national cities where socialisation
between people from different culture can be observed, presents the story of the individual and reflects human
nature. He portrays the human in his relations with the society, and depicts the conflicts between the human soul
and the outer world, the inward look of the individual in his deep loneliness and the vicious çirle he finds himself in
the existential struggle. In his novel, Victory, he creates Axel Heyst character, who has been raised as a person with
no confidence in humanity since his childhood. Through Heyst, Conrad examines the East-West conflict, human
behaviours in isolation, loneliness and human behaviour in social interaction. Even though Conrad creates almost no
ideal character in order to present a realistic picture of the human and the world and tries to paint a picture of their
behaviours and what they feel deep inside their hearts, still he makes it possible for the reader to make comparisons
through such binary oppsitions as good and evil, nature and city, civilisation and savagery. In the novel, such themes
as loneliness, alienation, love, hatred, greed, violence, helpfullness and treachery are dealt with and a general view
of humanity is portrayed through the observation of individual behaviours. In this article, Heyst, the protagonist of
Victory, a novel ironically titled, will be analysed in his relation with other characters on the basis the plot.