The Secret Agent - A Simple Tale

Synopsis

The Secret Agent is a novel based on the life of a spy written by Joseph Conrad, a Polish writer remembered for his narrative style and portraying anti-heroic characters. His notable works include Heart of Darkness, An Outcast of the Islands, and Nostromo.

The story narrates the life of a spy who ruined his family to save his profession. Mr. Verloc, a businessman lives with his wife Winnie and his brother in law Stevie who has a mental disability. Mr. Verloc, also had been appointed as a secret spy long back and his job is under threat from the newly appointed ambassador Mr. Vladimir, who considers him to be unfit for the job. 

Mr.Verloc under tremendous pressure for proving his skill has been asked by Mr. Vladimir to blowup Greenwich Park, a science laboratory. After his assignment, the city witnesses Greenwich Park was exploded and a man found dead unidentified wearing a blue coat. Mr. Verloc is under the radar and has been arrested.

Mr. Verloc later confesses to his wife, he has exploited Stevie, to fix the bomb but it was exploded prematurely before the set time. Winnie, realizing her brother’s death, stabs her husband and runs away to seek help from Ossipon, a friend of Mr. Verloc. Ossipon who is obsessed with Winnie saves her initially, but abandons her later. Few days passed Winnie committed suicide jumping from steamer.

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