Razumov’s Moral Grayness In Conrad’s Under Western Eyes

Under Western Eyes is the last novel of Conrad’s famous political trilogies. It is aboutthe tragic fate of the populace who are trapped between imperious autocracy and violentrevolution. The protagonist Razumov, a student from Saint Petersburg University, isaccidentally involved in a political plot. To save his own life and rescue his future, he turns in,against his will, his schoolmate Haldin, and is sent to Geneva as a spy for the government.However, later, he falls in love with Haldin’s sister Natalie, which recalls his memory ofbetrayal. Guilt, a sense of loss of identity, and etc. all become so unbearable that he has toconfess himself. His confession causes him eternal physical paralysis, but finally relieves hismental tortures.Though a political novel, Under Western Eyes reflects Conrad’s focus on such issues asmoral degradation, identity crisis, spreading anxiety and concern over the populace. Therefore,this thesis employs the concept “moral grayness” prompted by Ayn Rand to analyzeRazumov’s multiple moral dilemmas.The first chapter discusses Razumov’s struggle between the choice of betrayal andloyalty. Razumov is unwilling to inform against his schoolmate Haldin. Nevertheless, heknows how easy it is for the government to destroy individuals’ existences. He has no way outbut to take sides with the government. His conversion does not mean he is loyal to thegovernment, but merely helpless individual seeking shelter from an overpowering regime.The second chapter analyzes Razumov’s dilemma between instrumentalization and hissubjectivity. After informing, Razumov is sent by the government as a spy and turned into aserving tool of the autocracy. Yet, to become a mild reformer who advocates liberty anddemocracy has always been his dream. The reality collides with his pursuit, and retains him ina gray zone where no attempt is possible. The third chapter explores the causes which lead toRazumov’s confession of his crimes. The pure affection from Natalie offers an incentive,while the desire to reconstruct his deconstructed identity constitutes the deep-rooted reason.After his confession, Razumov regains a balanced psychology; what’s more, he gets rid of thetangling gray morality and finds the true self.At last, the thesis tries to draw the conclusion that disorder of social norms traps individuals in a moral gray zone where the distinction between white and black, namely goodand evil, is blurred. But the resulting anxiety, doubt and exploration also constitute anenlightening lesson of human’s existence and purposes, and offer an inspiration for the futurelife.