Youth : Then & Now Essay, Research Paper

Youth : Then & Now

The spirit of youth has changed dramatically since the days of Joseph

Conrad and his story, “Youth.” Conrad strongly emphasises the desire and strong

will of the young crewmen. Whereas, today’s youth do not posses he drive and

motivation of their ancestors. All in all, it is clear through the passing time,

attitudes have changed.

1 “O Youth! The strength of it, the faith of it, the imagination of

it!” Conrad’s example of youth powerfully describes the greatness of it all.

Marlow and the other young crewmen possessed this quality of youth and

powerfully exemplified it on the treacherous voyage of the Judea. The youth of

today, as many feel, do not have the strong characteristics of past generations.

One hundred years ago, a young man may have gone on a dangerous voyage like

Marlow, but a young man today leads a more secure, cushioned life.

The changes in attitudes over time may be due to the fact that today’s

generations do not have nearly as many hardships as in the past. With all the

technology and scientific breakthroughs, have it easy. To conquer a problem in a

modern lifestyle today, is to have a steady source of income. In retrospect,

today’s youth benefit much greater than the youth of the past. Although the

youth of the past benefit in the fact that they accomplished thier goals, and

have many special memories to reflect on, as Marlow did.

1. Joseph Conrad, “Youth,” Story and Structure Laurence Perrine (ed) (Toronto,

Harcourt & Brace, 1966) p. 14

Bibliography

Conrad, Joseph “Youth” Story and Structure. Perrine, Laurence. Toronto.

Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc. 1966