English 216
The Short Story
O'Hara/Salomon
Midterm Examination: Conrad Section 

Choose ONE and only one of the questions below. Answer it in a complete and thoughtful essay.
You are encouraged to use the text where appropriate, but do not merely summarize plot. You
need not consult secondary sources, but if you do, document as necessary and provide a "Works
Cited" page.

This essay must be typed and double-spaced. Proofread your answers. It will be collected at the
in-class portion of the midterm on Wednesday, October 22. Absolutely, no exceptions will be
made for late papers; if it is not handed in before the end of class on the 22nd, this portion of your
midterm exam will receive a 0. This portion of the exam will count for approximately 40% of the
exam grade; Gardam will count for 40% and Potter for 20%.

You are encouraged to bring in drafts of this essay before it is due. Read all questions carefully.


                                                            1) Consider the following passage from "Youth":             
                    She was tired--that old ship. Her youth was where mine is--where
          yours is--you fellows who listen to this yarn; and what friend would
          throw your years and your weariness in your face? We didn't
          grumble at her. To us aft, at least, it seemed as though we had been
          born in her, reared in her, had lived in her for sages, had never
          known any other ship. I would just as soon have abused the old
          village church at home for not being a cathedral. (9) 
How is this passage indicative of the story as a whole? What does it tell us about the narrator?

2) Discuss in detail to which aspects of the story "Typhoon" the title relates?

3) The narrator of "The Secret Sharer" refers to himself as "a stranger to myself" (84). In fact,
earlier titles for the story (before it was published) were "The Second Self," "The Secret Self,"
and "The Other Self." Discuss the theme of alienation or "otherness" in Conrad's "The Secret
Sharer." Your essay should include some discussion of the title's significance in the story.