This collection of major critical readings of Conrad's work addresses crucially important and in many cases controversial issues within contemporary theory and criticism. The opening section looks at how the study of Conrad's work has been politicised since the 1970s, with subsequent sections covering 'Narrative, Textuality and Interpretation', 'Imperialism', 'Gender and Sexuality', 'Class and Ideology', and 'Modernity'. Each contain critical excerpts that offer contrasting and complementary accounts of the fiction. Headnotes and introductions clarify both the theoretical issues and the interpretation of Conrad's fiction.