The haunting story of an old captain awaiting the return of his only son, ‘To-morrow’ is a melancholic tale of human psychology, blind hope, and doomed longing. Conrad’s delusional portrayal of Captain Hagbeard, the omnipresence of the sea, and his nod to absurdism render this short story an immensely entertaining read.
Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) was a Polish-born author who left Poland in his teens to avoid enlistment in the Russian Army. He settled in England after learning English aboard British ships. Many of his works were inspired by his own experiences as a merchant seaman, including his most notable novel ‘Heart of Darkness’ (1899). His characteristic vivid descriptions appeal to fans of James Joyce, Jack London, and Charles Bukowski.