The political economy critique in Conrad's novels reveals the profound impact of capitalist commodity production relations on human nature and society. Conrad designs plots and shapes characters from a political economy perspective, and his works present politics as a nightmare for characters, reflecting his conservative political stance. Kurtz in "Heart of Darkness" was driven by economic interests to pursue his political ideals in Africa and ultimately died in the dark wilderness, reflecting his fear of darkness. Marx's critique of political economy revealed the relationships between people behind the relationships between things in capitalist society, while Lenin emphasized that Marx revealed the relationships between people that bourgeois economists overlooked. This article analyzes the transformation of interpersonal relationships caused by capitalist commodity production relations in Conrad's novels from three aspects: merchant ship interests and interpersonal relationships, material interests and subject alienation, and colonial interests and trust crisis.

Merchant ship interests and interpersonal relationships

Conrad's nautical novels showcase the tradition of British merchant ships by depicting the spirit of unity among crew members in storms. However, the operation of merchant ships is essentially for economic benefits, and ship owners pursue profits by paying wages, while the profit driven nature of capital determines the behavioral norms on board. In Blackwater, the three main characters embody the racial, labor, and social hierarchy of the late Victorian era. Although capital does not directly appear, it invisibly drives the narrative and the actions of the crew. Marx's concept of commodities is reflected in the use value and value of merchant ships, while the essence of capital is the social relationship between people, which is concealed under the spirit of cooperation in merchant ships and is actually an exploitative production relationship.

Material interests and subject alienation

Explored the impact of material interests on character relationships and individual alienation in Conrad's novels. Conrad reveals through his works how material interests pervade narratives, shape character values, and lead to character alienation. From the perspective of political economy, the value relationship in commodity production is transformed into the relationship between things and things, and things to people. People become slaves to material things, a phenomenon similar to idol worship in religion, which Marx called commodity fetishism. In Nostromo, the characters Nostromo and Gould respectively represent the conflict between tradition and capitalism, as well as the image of agents of the bourgeoisie. Their stories demonstrate how material interests can undermine interpersonal relationships and the moral center of individuals. De Caude's nihilistic views and suicidal behavior further reveal the impact of material interests on individual fate. Dr. Monieham's cynical worldview emphasizes the inhumane laws of material interests and how they lead to social unrest and individual alienation. Conrad criticized the destructive impact of material interests on individuals and society in capitalist society through these characters and plots, reflecting the essence of Marxist political economy. In "The Spy," Conrad satirizes the nihilism and hypocrisy of society, as well as the organic claims of the political system, by depicting obscene and politically provocative commodities. The novel portrays the division and alienation of individuals in the face of material interests, as well as the role of politics as a catalyst for value orientation in social relationships. Conrad's novels reflect his profound critique of the political economy of capitalist society.

Colonial interests and crisis of trust

Explored the complexity of the relationship between material interests and trust pursued by colonizers in Conrad's novels. Mr. Jim reveals the lack of trust at both personal and professional levels, as well as the damage it causes to the marine business operation system, through Jim's abandonment of the ship during a crisis. Trust was seen as the key to simplifying the complexity of imperial trade, and Jim's breach of trust had a negative impact on the colonial commodity market. Captain Bradley's surprise reflects the fragility of capitalist production relations. The trial of Jim in the novel is an institutionalized response to the lack of trust, aimed at repairing trust in the merchant fleet rather than personal trust. Jim became a metaphorical figure of the trust crisis, reflecting the impact of the trust crisis on the colonial superstructure at the end of the 19th century. The colonial cause relies on the fragile bond of trust to maintain its production relations. Once trust is compromised, the entire production relations may face a crisis. Jim's process of subjectification is closely related to cultural practices and symbols, and the dynamism and practical foundation of trust are crucial for subject construction. Jim's blind trust in the white robber Brown further proves that he is not a trustworthy person. The novel implies through Jim's story the uncertainty of trust in social change and interest demands, which may become a destructive element. In Nostromo, trust is closely linked to material interests, and the trust of Gould and American financiers in Nostromo was ultimately betrayed by his compromise on material things. The novel reveals the impact of material interests on morality and humanity, as well as the theory of the inhumanity of capital. Conrad criticized the material interests between people in a commodity society and praised the spirit of the merchant ship society by contrasting colonial interests with the crisis of trust. He reflected his criticism of capitalist political economy and his expectation for the construction of an organic society through the game and compromise between economic interests and the fate of characters.