Identity and Ethics in crisis: A Postcolonial Reading on Joseph Conrad Lord Jim

This study analyses Joseph Conrad's Lord Jim as a critique of colonial structure, arguing that colonial power damages the morals of both the colonizer and the colonized within a shared system. While traditional interpretations often focus on Jim's personal guilt and redemption, this reading highlights the colonial structure that creates these moral dilemmas. Utilizing a postcolonial framework grounded in the theories of Edward Said, Leela Gandhi, Homi K. Bhabha, and Frantz Fanon, the study addresses three central questions: How do imperialist principles shape colonial power? How does Jim's identity crisis reflect psychological dilemmas? And why does the novel depict mutual moral conflict for both parties? Textual analysis reveals that Jim's romantic idealism leads to his failure as a leader, while the indigenous community of Patusan maintains a distinct moral code. The study concludes that Conrad portrays colonialism as a system devoid of true morality, leaving behind only shattered promises and tragedy.