In Joseph Conrad's works Lord Jim and "Youth," the topic of a young male's development is central. In their respective stories, our main characters Jim and Marlow, are faced with trials by sea; the tales depict relatively inexperienced men of their profession, and our protagonists encounter elemental struggles in a natural environment. We shall see how the prospects of adventure and glory appeal to our heroes; however, the obstacles they face promise only self-discovery. The following will discuss the character of youth as portrayed by Conrad, pertaining to Jim and Marlow. Firstly, we will analyze Lord Jim's romantic impulse, perpetual ambition for glory and how his youth plays a factor in his decisions. He commits questionable actions yet possesses simple motives, universal and conducive to his young age. Secondly, Marlow's simpler, eager character in "Youth" will be interpreted, in relation to Lord Jim. Conrad gives both men similar ambitions; only the failure of Jim's situation shows how the author illustrates the theme of youth in two different lights.
             Although we first view him to be a resolute character, Jim's youth has a fanciful quality about it. He holds grandiose hopes and dreams, and acts impulsively. His initial inspiration, desiring a life on the sea, is just that: "After a course of light holiday literature his vocation for the sea had declared itself, he was sent at once to a 'training-ship for officers of the mercantile marine' " (Lord Jim, 47). The entire course of Jim's life depends crucially on the whim-like suggestion of some inconsequential reading; the irony lies in that this "holiday literature" has a substantial effect in determining Jim's role in the story. The impulsiveness of Jim's actions, and consequent pride arising from his visions of glory, are points well illustrated throughout Lord Jim. The romantic noti...