The Secret Agent · Theme
Anarchism and Terrorism
How The Secret Agent develops Anarchism and Terrorism.
The book explores the motivations, futility, and moral squalor of anarchist activities, centered on a plot to blow up the Greenwich Observatory, revealing the criminal stupidity and philosophical pretenses behind political violence.
Where it surfaces
- Author's Note
The entire note revolves around anarchist activities, the Greenwich bombing, and Conrad's view of anarchist mentality as 'half-crazy pose' and 'brazen cheat.'
- Chapter IV
The Professor advocates for indiscriminate violence and destruction as a means to overthrow social order, contrasting with Ossipon's more cautious approach.
- V
The chapter contrasts Heat's view of anarchism as mere disorder with the Professor's fanatical belief in violence as a tool to destroy social order.