# XIII explained — The Secret Agent

> Chapter companion for The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad.

## What happens

Comrade Ossipon is haunted by the newspaper report of a lady's suicide, which he knows to be Winnie Verloc. He struggles with guilt and fear, avoiding his usual women. The Professor visits Michaelis and discusses his philosophy of exterminating the weak. Ossipon, now in possession of Verloc's money, feels ruined and walks aimlessly, while the Professor remains a detached, deadly force.

## Themes in this chapter

### Isolation and Alienation

Ossipon is isolated by his guilty knowledge; the Professor walks alone, despised by mankind.

### Moral Squalor and Corruption

Ossipon's inheritance of secret-service money and his descent into drinking and ruin.

### Futility of Violence

The Professor's dream of extermination is presented as a mad, futile ideal.

### Psychology of Crime

Ossipon's psychological torment over Winnie's suicide and his fear of insanity.

## Character check-ins

### Comrade Ossipon

Haunted by Winnie's suicide, he avoids women and feels his revolutionary career is ruined.

### The Perfect Anarchist

Visits Michaelis, advocates extermination of the weak, and remains a detached force.

### Michaelis

Writing a book divided into 'Faith, Hope, Charity,' living on raw carrots and milk, unaware of Verloc's death.

### Mr. Verloc

Mentioned as having been murdered by the police, his secret-service money now inherited by Ossipon.

### Mrs. Verloc

Her suicide is the subject of the newspaper report that torments Ossipon.

## Key lines

> An impenetrable mystery seems destined to hang forever over this act of madness or despair.

The newspaper says the suicide will remain a mystery forever.

_This phrase obsesses Ossipon throughout the chapter._

> He was becoming scientifically afraid of insanity lying in wait for him amongst these lines.

Ossipon fears he is going mad from reading the report.

_Shows his psychological deterioration._

> The weak! The source of all evil on this earth!

The Professor believes weakness is the root of all evil.

_Central to his philosophy of extermination._

> I remain—if I am strong enough.

The Professor sees himself as the only survivor after the weak are eliminated.

_Highlights his megalomania._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/chapters/xiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/chapters