The Secret Agent - Week 4 - Ch 11-end

[Robin P, Moderator]

This section ends the book with several dramatic events. Were you surprised by any of them?

There is a series of misunderstandings and miscommunications. What do you think of the interactions between Verloc and Winnie? Between Winnie and Ossipon?

Was the tragic ending inevitable? Even Ossipon, who ends up with the money, feels cursed.

Is the ending cynical? The Professor goes on as before, looking squalid and helpless, but harboring a secret danger to the world.

[Lori, Moderator]

It was just weird. It was one of those that made me wonder "what the heck am I reading?" kind of like Steppenwolf. This book had been on my to-read shelf for a long time, and I'm glad I read it, but I can't say I actually enjoyed much of it. The Professor was the most interesting character for me, followed by Stevie.

I kept wondering why the book was called The Secret Agent. The title refers to Verloc, right? But he seemed to be a very passive character in the book's events. Maybe that was Conrad's point - the people we think are "in charge" of a situation are often not, and we have to see who is moving behind them.

[Rafael]

Lori wrote: "I kept wondering why the book was called The Secret Agent. The title refers to Verloc, right? But he seemed to be a very passive character in the book's events. Maybe that was Conrad's point - the people we think are "in charge" of a situation are often not, and we have to see who is moving behind them. "

Good point, Lori.

[Frances, Moderator]

I was somewhat taken aback by how Winnie, who had been so placid or stoical throughout the book, who had been able to be so calculating in her life so far, completely fell apart and gave over all agency to Ossipon. It seemed very out of character. While Conrad implies it is because of the loss of her brother for whom she had sacrificed so much, the complete collapse of her ability to take care of herself seemed unlikely, given what we had seen of her previously.

I agree with Lori-this was not what I'd anticipated and I can't say I particularly enjoyed it. The only other Conrad I've read is Heart of Darkness and that when I was in high school but I don't recall enjoying that either (and I was a reader).

the interesting history, given in the introduction of my version, was that in 1894 anarchists did try to blow up the Greenwich Royal Observatory, killing themselves in the process. One possible reason was that, as Britain was a relatively open society and therefore attracting many of the anarchists fleeing more oppressive regimes, Russia's government wished to turn British society against anarchists by inciting a particularly outrageous bombing that would be attributed to them (and hence Vladimir's actions).

There was also the interesting spectacle of society ladies patronizing anarchists such as Michaelis, who wish to strip them of their wealth and position.

As someone who has been enjoying a modern espionage series, Mick Herron's Slow Horses and others, this was an interesting glimpse at it's turn of the (last) century equivalent.

[Emma]

By the end, the book seemed to have changed from a political to a psychological thriller. I agree with Lori that the title seems inappropriate since Verloc was neither particularly secret nor a very effective agent.

However, his wife Winnie was both of these things. Effectively she was a 'sleeper', perfectly inserted into Verloc's life with all the appearance of being a loving wife, while actually, unknown to him, she was only there for Stevie's sake. You might say she's Stevie's agent.

And once Stevie's killed through Verloc's unfeeling use of him, she comes to life with catastrophic effect. Although the Professor is the one wandering around complacently with a detonator in his pocket, she is the only truly explosive character who actually kills for the sake of her beliefs.

No wonder Ossipon is haunted by the newspaper report of her death as an 'impenetrable mystery.' She's been a mystery - because largely over-looked - to all the anarchists around her. Even her death seems destined to have a devastating effect, as Ossipon fears 'insanity lying in wait for him amongst those lines' and feels himself set on the way to ruin.

So for me the secret agent is Winnie.

[Jenny]

I was very surprised and unprepared for Winnie’s actions. From the moment of Verloc’s death, she feels like a main character. I think a clue to her odd behavior is that she feels complete “freedom,” “released from all earthly ties.”

A great line: “Her personality seemed to have been torn into two pieces, whose mental operations did not adjust themselves very well to each other.”

Along with the Professor, Winnie becomes a true anarchist. It reminded me of Crime and Punishment where “everything is permitted.” Except that what she has done with this freedom scares the hell out of her and she gives over her freedom to the first person she meets. And that person, Ossipon, immediately betrays that trust.

It felt like a very cynical ending written by a man who must have been very disturbed by the events he saw going on in the world around him.

[Jenny]

Emma wrote: "By the end, the book seemed to have changed from a political to a psychological thriller. I agree with Lori that the title seems inappropriate since Verloc was neither particularly secret nor a ver..."

Didn’t see your post until after I’d posted mine. Completely agree. I like how you termed Winnie a “sleeper.”

[Robin P, Moderator]

Emma wrote: "By the end, the book seemed to have changed from a political to a psychological thriller. I agree with Lori that the title seems inappropriate since Verloc was neither particularly secret nor a ver..."

Great points, Emma, about Winnie as a secret agent with explosive actions!

[Gem , Moderator]

Jenny wrote: "I was very surprised and unprepared for Winnie’s actions.

I couldn't agree more. She seemed so passive to me throughout the previous parts of the book that I never expected her to take action against Verloc.

Her suicide did not surprise me. Stepping into her shoes, she not only was somewhat estranged from her mother but she lost Stevie who was, in essence, her child, then she behaved in a way that shocked her. It appeared to me that she just couldn't live with herself, especially under the circumstances.

[Jenny]

Wow, Gem, you really sped through this book!

[Brian E]

I read this some years ago and didn't like it enough for a re-read. I have read many Conrad novels but, with their more political subject matters, I thought I'd really enjoy The Secret Agent and Under Western Eyes. Even now, when I review the plot of The Secret Agent I think it sounds interesting.
However, I found it a sluggish read as I struggled to grasp the nuances of the events and character motivations. I did not find it enjoyable. I felt the same about Under Western Eyes. I gave both novels 3 star ratings, but have given 6 other Conrad novels 4 star ratings.
When I read Conrad's books, I somehow feel I'm reading something important about mankind even though it's just a story about a few characters in a remote land area and/or sea. The feeling of importance normally makes me appreciate what I read even if it is not an easy read. it was just harder than usual with the Secret Agent.

[Gem , Moderator]

Jenny wrote: "Wow, Gem, you really sped through this book!"

Hehe, audiobooks at 1.5 speed while I'm hanging with my grandbabies and knitting. I listen while they watch a movie or are playing independently. I really want to "read" this story and knew I wouldn't physically be able to read it before the month was over so this was my alternative.

[Frances, Moderator]

Brian wrote: "I read this some years ago and didn't like it enough for a re-read. I have read many Conrad novels but, with their more political subject matters, I thought I'd really enjoy The Secret Agent and Un..."

Brian-this sums up my reaction to the novel very well. I was really glad to read it in company as I don't think I would have persevered on my own, and I felt that Conrad had a lot to say which is still relevant today, so was glad I finished it in the end.

[Emma]

This was only my second Conrad novel (the other was Heart of Darkness, which I found a bit grim) and like Frances I don't think I would have read it without the book group. While it wasn't my favourite book, I enjoyed the writing and would like to try another Conrad novel. Does anyone have any recommendations?

[Natty]

I think Secret Agent has multiple meanings here. There's Verloc as the secret agent or representative of the embassy. But agent can also mean someone or thing that causes an effect. It can also be a chemical or biological agent. So there are multiple "secret agents" in the book. As Emma says, Winnie is a secret agent. Conrad seems to suggest at the end that perhaps the Professor is a secret agent in terms of someone who can cause terrible things. Manipulation is a secret agent in terms of why/how Stevie ends up blown up.

Loved your comments, Jenny, about Winnie becoming an "anarchist" and tying that into Doestoyevsky. It made me think of Demons (also known as The Possessed) and the way, to Doestoyevsky, too much freedom leads to violence and madness.

It took me some time to get into this novel, but I found the chapter between Winnie and Verlock mesmerizing (loved the symbolism of the beef dinner that she serves him, referencing back to Heet describing the corpse of Stevie as a heap of meat). That said, he does go on a bit, doesn't he? The chapter with Ossipon just went on way too long. I mean, you know he's going to abandon her and take the money. All I could think of was, just get on with it, Joe!

[Jenny]

Great point about the multiple definitions of the word ‘agent.’
While I gave this book 5 stars for its depth, it did plod along a bit in the middle!

[Rafael]

Finally I finished it. And I was happy that I finally did because was a labor to read it, but the end was the best part. I was not expecting this end, but wow. What an end! I don't remember if is stated before this section that Stevie's death was not Verloc's fault but was good to know it. He did not deserve it, but Winnie did not either so it's understandable her actions. A sad end.

[Frances, Moderator]

Agreed, a much more dramatic finish than the slow beginning led us to expect.