억압과 구원

Repression and Redemption in Under Western Eyes

This paper is to investigate Razumov's repression and redemption by analyzing his relationship with the male and female figures whom he encounters in the contrasting settings in Under Westem Eyes, with St. Petersburg representing the autocratic repression and Geneva the western democratic tradition. Male figures are the principal characters who appear in the St. Petersburg section of the novel. They exercise enormous power over Razumov with the patriarchal authorities. Female characters who are virtual nonexistence in the first part of the novel take a preeminent position in the Geneva section. Razumov is greatly touched by Natalia's love with truthful eyes. And he is spiritually atoned by confessing his identity to Natalia and revolutionists. Therefore he is redeemed by female figures who have maternal love. In conclusion, Razumov is repressed by male figures with paternal authority and is redeemed by female figures with maternal love. This represents Conrad's view which puts a great emphasis on women's roles in his later works.