The Inwardness of Things

""The Inwardness of Things is a landmark book that simultaneously opens vast doors of possibility for a new generation of Conrad scholarship, while revealing the 'voice of poetry' that has been there in Conrad, crucially if elusively, all along. Working across a sweeping array of Conrad's writings, Debra Romanick Baldwin brilliantly innovates key concepts of 'inwardness' and 'narrative solidarity' through which to reimagine Conrad - and to see anew the philosophical, narrative/aesthetic, ethical/political, and global questions raised so generatively by his work.""--Peter Mallios, Associate Professor of English, University of Maryland ""In this remarkably lucid, comprehensive book, Debra Romanick Baldwin shows us how and why Conrad's voice of poetry contains a startlingly relevant appeal to us now in our own deeply polarized historical moment. Baldwin brilliantly elucidates Conrad's poetic voice in the ancient quarrel between poetry and philosophy while clearing new pathways through long-standing debates about his artistic vision. In this compelling, readable book Conrad emerges as a strikingly contemporary voice - an urgent, deeply human appeal to our sense of wonder and shared humanity.""--Alexia Hannis, author of The Discerning Narrator: Conrad, Aristotle, and Modernity ""In this important book, Debra Romanick Baldwin brings Joseph Conrad's poetics into fruitful correspondence with his philosophy and, in the process, offers fresh insights into the man and the works. Among the book's many attractions is the synthesis of modern literature and classical philosophy, sustained through meticulous close reading. Baldwin's exemplary approach should appeal to scholars of all levels across the humanities and critical studies.""--Allan H. Simmons, Emeritus Professor, St Mary's University, Twickenham