An Analysis of James Wait in Conrad’s Nigger of the “Narcissus”
             Joseph Conrad’s Nigger of the “Narcissus” depicts the homeward voyage of seamen navigating the ship “Narcissus”. James Wait, an African American who is last to board the ship in Bombay Harbour, immediately incites controversy among the other seamen. His character is one that arouses controversy among the crew because nobody knows whether or not Wait is physically ill. Unlike the storm, which unites the men through their struggles to make it to shore safely, James Wait triggers disorder and hostility aboard ship. Throughout the novel, Wait serves as a catalyst that evokes powerful emotions among the seamen and causes them to react in various ways to his mysterious presence onboard.
             In the very beginning of the novel, Wait makes his presence aboard ship well known as he articulates his name with an unreserved air of confidence. He asks the men to help him carry his luggage in somewhat of a condescending manner, such that the crew is unable to refuse. However, not all of the crew remains tolerant of the new seaman on board. Wait’s first fit of thunderous coughing wakes up the sleeping men, who proceed to heatedly inform him that perhaps his illness is more than a mere cough. In another instance, the men are stamping their feet and shouting on deck while Wait tries to sleep. When Wait peers out from his cabin, the laughter dies down and men turn their backs on him.
             Wait stirs up turbulence simply by discussing and exhibiting the symptoms of his illness. The seamen detest hearing Jimmy complain about his health and view him as an overbearing and obnoxious presence on the ship. Having Wait onboard hinders the
             crew’s daily activities. Because of Jimmy’s illness, the singers on the ship are forced to become mute, and seamen are unable to hammer a nail to hang up their rags. “We...