Lord Jim Lesson Plan

What does Conrad mean when he talks about "Ability in the abstract?"

Conrad lingers on this notion of "Ability" a bit in the novel's opening chapter. Ask students what this abstract notion of "Ability" might mean. What is the significance of capitalizing the word? Early on, it's made clear that something distinguishes Jim from the other sailors, but it's not one specific skill that we can put our finger on.

Ask the class to consider what this "Ability" looks like in practice: Jim is a man of action, able to institute change in the world around him and carve out a path for himself. From the outset, he's painted as a competent man who recognizes his own capabilities, and...