# Author's Note explained — The Arrow of Gold

> Chapter companion for The Arrow of Gold by Joseph Conrad.

## What happens

In this Author's Note, Joseph Conrad explains the origins and intentions behind The Arrow of Gold. He addresses critics' suspicions about concealed facts and inadequate motives, asserting that the narrative is based on his own imperfect knowledge and understanding. He clarifies that the story is framed between two notes, which establish the historical circumstances of the twelve months covered. Conrad reveals that the book was written during the darkest hours of World War I, from autumn 1917 to summer 1918, and that the subject had long been a part of his memory. He acknowledges the connection to his earlier work The Mirror of the Sea, noting that the same Dominic and balancelle Tremolino appear, but that the new book explores a different kind of love—an initiation into a life of passion. He insists that the story is given complete, with all its imperfections, and that he chose sincerity over invention.

## Themes in this chapter

### Memory and Nostalgia

Conrad discusses carrying the subject of the book for many years, as an inherent part of himself, and the risk of spoiling the bloom of memory when bringing it to the marketplace.

### Sacrifice and Devotion

The author's commitment to sincerity and unadorned truth, even at the cost of appearing incomplete, reflects a devotion to ethical storytelling.

## Character check-ins

### Dominic

Mentioned as the same Dominic from The Mirror of the Sea, appearing under his own name in this book.

### George

Referred to as Mr. George, the protagonist who plies his trade in the balancelle Tremolino.

## Key lines

> because, amidst much sympathetic appreciation, I have detected here and there a note, as it were, of suspicion. Suspicion of facts concealed, of explanations held back, of inadequate motives.

Despite receiving much sympathetic appreciation, I have noticed occasional hints of suspicion that I have hidden facts, withheld explanations, or provided insufficient motives.

_Conrad addresses critics' doubts about the completeness of his narrative._

> In plucking the fruit of memory one runs the risk of spoiling its bloom, especially if it has got to be carried into the marketplace.

When you draw on your memories, you risk damaging their freshness, especially if you expose them to public scrutiny.

_Conrad uses a metaphor to explain his hesitation in writing this book._

> The Arrow of Gold is my first after-the-war publication. The writing of it was begun in the autumn of 1917 and finished in the summer of 1918. Its memory is associated with that of the darkest hour of the war, which, in accordance with the well known proverb, preceded the dawn⁠—the dawn of peace.

This is my first book published after the war. I wrote it between autumn 1917 and summer 1918, during the war's darkest period, which, as the proverb says, came just before the dawn of peace.

_Conrad situates the writing of the book in a specific historical moment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/author-s-note
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters