Jim and Marlow’s Analysis of Jim
The exact time when Jim decided to pursue his dreams was not specifically listed in the book, but it does say on page 9, “after a course of light holiday literature his vocation for the sea had declared itself, he was sent at once to a training-ship for officers of the mercantile marine.”Jim’s story and the series of events leading up to the analysis from Marlow starts at that moment. While training on the ship Jim starts to “live in his mind the sea-life of light literature…saving people from sinking ships, cutting away masts in a hurricane, swimming through surf with a line…” and is presented with his first chance to be heroic. In the world today I believe there are two types of people, one that will protect others at all costs and one that will do anything in their power to save themselves. In Jim’s case he often thinks “with the contempt of a man destined to shine in the midst of dangers.”(pg 9) Jim is given two chances to be heroic but fails to do so. His first test was aboard a training mercantile ship, “A coaster running in for shelter had crashed through a schooner at anchor, “Jim hesitates which shows when he istested his true character causes him to look after himself and not others first. The other time Jim was aboard the Patna and jumps ship, again choosing to save himself instead of the people. So after Jims two tests Marlow starts to analyze him in a courtroom while knowing of his past. Both Jim and Marlow notice each other due to the way they stick out in the community. Jim notices "a white man who [sits] apart from the others, with his face worn and clouded, but with quiet eyes," while Marlow analyzes Jim saying “The third was an upstanding, broad-shouldered youth, with his hands in his pockets, turning his back on the other two who appeared to be talking together earnestly…The young chap, making no movement, not even stirring his head, just stared into the sunshine. This was my first impression of Jim.”(28)...