The the same hides real motives of

The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale by Joseph Conrad being a crime thriller, deals with the plot in complex manner. The author of the novel has used the title of the novel allegorically which entails the same as simple. It is obvious from the summary and the analysis of the novel that it is not a simple novel. Various critics commented that the subtitle of the novel has been used by the author to attract to towards the novel in terms of contradicting the same with the title of the novel.

It is noteworthy that the novel uses the title “ The Secret Agent” whereas the subtitle is “ A Simple Tale”. However, it is definite that a tale of secret agent cannot be simple and must be contained with complexities. The readers are capable of understanding from the title of the novel that it is a tale of thriller, suspense and mystery. Therefore, the subtitle contradicts the title. ? On the other hand, it is possible that Conrad has uses cynicism and sarcasm in his subtitle for creating an immense and mysterious attraction for the readers towards the novel.

Of course, the study of the novel will make the readers understand allegorical tone of the title. The allegory lies in the subtitle as the same hides real motives of the story depicted by Conrad. The novel deals with the various themes and the tone of the novel is dark, deep and gloomy. There works a constant and consistent suspense for the readers as the author knots the incidents in a complex manner (Conrad, 1995). At the first glance of the novel, it will seem to the readers as a general thriller story. Contradictorily, the complete reading of the novel will reveal the actual tone of the story as well as the title. It may seem that the readers have been fooled by the subtitle. However, critics argued that the author tricked the readers to read the novel.

? Considering the fact of the significance of the subtitle, the same is linked with the title of the novel. In fact, the significance lies in the connection between the title and the subtitle in terms of the depiction of the story. Conrad had aptly and ironically used the title of the novel in terms of depicting the story. It is remarkable that the novel consists of anarchism and terrorism as one of the major themes. The concept of anarchism and terrorism are itself complex ideas and therefore, using the same as the themes of the novel makes it more complex.

On the other hand, the novel being a crime thriller deals with various incidents and characters which makes the plot of the novel more complex (Conrad, 1995). According to various critics the importance of the title is understood only through the reading of the novel. ? It must be mentioned that the original title of the novel was Verloc, which is the name of the protagonist of the story. Theauthor changed his mind at the time of publication and changed the name of the novel into the present one. The reader may seem the title as provocative as the story deals with complex and complicated issues while the subtitle states it as simple. Considering the fact of the significance of the subtitle, the contradiction lies between the title and subtitle.

The reader will be able to understand that the novel deals with brutal and extremely complex incidents with the unfolding of the plot. One the other hand, it is also possible that the author wanted to present the idea that though the plot of the novel is complex but the message reflected by the novel is simple which is the importance of the human being as perceived by them, does not match with the reality. ? Apart from that, the changing of the name also suggeststhat the author wanted to focus on the corruption, terrorism and anarchism of the society. It is noteworthy that Conrad wanted to focus on the lifestyle, social structure, and contemporary social practice of the society rather than only focusing on the protagonist of the novel. According to literature critics, the changing of the title from the name of the protagonist to the present one signifies the intention of the author for being sarcastic and ironic at the same time. The idea of presenting a subtitle is that Conrad wanted to shift the attention of the readers towards the book. Also Conrad felt that the name “ The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale” will be able to attract the attention of the people rather the name of the protagonist Verloc.

? However, the simple aspect of the novel is the theme of the novel, whereas the plot of the same is complex. The theme of the book is based on the crime thriller whereas the plot consists anarchism, terrorism, betrayal and may more. The complexities of the plot unfold with the progress with novel and the readers are gradually provided with the idea of the story being complex. Conrad toned the novel with darkness which is a sharp contrast with the subtitle (Conrad, 1995). Of course the tale is not simple and comprises of complex issues and incidents.

It may be the strategy of the author to use such a subtitle to make the readers to read the novel. On the other hand, the using of the two contradictory words as the title and subtitle to provide the readers with the ideas of the novel being different. ? In regard to the importance of the subtitle, several stories and novel can be referred. In general, the subtitle of the story presents a basic and little idea about the theme of the novel. For example, Bartleby The Scrivener, A Tale of Wall Street by Herman Melville also focuses on the subtitle as one of the major part of the novel. The readers are able to understand that what the story is about. Another example is She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith with the subtitle of The Mistake of A Night, which presents the hint of the central idea of the novel. The Mayor of Casterbridge is another example which presents the subtitle The Life and Death of a Man of Character.

Thomas Hardy, the writer of the novel presents the hint of the idea of the basic theme of the novel. The readers are able to understand that the author wanted to present his novel which centralizes idea of character. There are many more examples in the literature which provides significance of using the subtitles in literary writings. Therefore, the use of subtitle in the novel of Conrad is apt and necessary for providing the writers with the hint of the story. Along with this, this is also noted that the significance of thetitle differs in terms of author and the theme of the story. Exemplifying the chosen novel, the use of the subtitle is ironic and contradictory, whereas the subtitle of The Mayor of Caterbridge supports the title of the novel.

Therefore, it can be concluded that the importance of the subtitle lies in its presentation and the idea of the author for writing the story.