Lord Jim Lesson Plan

Why is Marlow so affected when he hears about Jim's barroom brawl?

Ask students to consider what makes Jim's encounter with the drunken Dane different from the rest. Most obvious is the fact that the confrontation actually escalated to violence, resulting in Jim shoving the man into the water. How does Marlow react? He begins to worry about the degradation of Jim's character - this is the first time his anger and disappointment has manifested itself outwardly, and Marlow may recognize that Jim is beginning to grow bitter.

Marlow understands Jim's frustration at not being given another opportunity to thrive, and so he reaches out to Stein to find his friend work that...