This clear and practical guide shows the reader how to organise a critical response to Joseph Conrad's novels and short stories. It provides systematic guidance on how to analyse Conrad's major works, showing students how to discuss the themes, characters, settings, plots, and tone of his fiction. In addition, it deals with the historical context of Conrad's writings and provides advice on how to discuss such matters as his complex use of narrators and narrative time, his views on politics, and his use of satire and irony. Particular works analysed include Youth, Heart of Darkness, Nostromo, The Secret Agent, Victory and The Shadow-Line. The final chapter offers a step-by-step guide to how to write an essay or examination answer on a Conrad novel. If you are a student looking for help in understanding and writing about Conrad this is the one book you need to read.