Under Western Eyes

Under Western Eyes is Joseph Conrad's penetrating novel of political idealism, betrayal, and moral isolation, set against the turbulent world of early twentieth-century Russian revolutionary movements. Dark, introspective, and psychologically complex, the novel offers a profound exploration of conscience under the weight of political extremism.



The story follows Razumov, a reserved and ambitious university student in St. Petersburg whose quiet life is shattered when a revolutionary assassin seeks refuge in his room. Faced with an impossible moral dilemma, Razumov makes a choice that binds him irrevocably to the revolutionary cause he neither believes in nor fully understands. His decision leads to exile, surveillance, and a life governed by fear and self-betrayal.



Narrated by an English teacher living abroad, the novel unfolds through layered perspectives that emphasize misunderstanding, cultural distance, and moral ambiguity. Conrad deliberately distances the reader from certainty, mirroring Razumov's growing alienation and inner turmoil.



As Razumov becomes entangled with exiled revolutionaries in Geneva, Conrad exposes the contradictions of political idealism and the emotional cost of living under constant suspicion. The novel scrutinizes the destructive power of ideology—on individuals, relationships, and moral integrity.



Somber, ironic, and intensely reflective, Under Western Eyes stands alongside The Secret Agent as one of Conrad's most important political novels. It is a haunting meditation on guilt, responsibility, and the price of silence in a world dominated by ideological conflict.