The Secret Agent

The Secret Agent is a novel written by Joseph Conrad telling the story of the attempted bombing of Greenwich Observatory. Mr. Verloc is an agent provocateur that is posing as an anarchist. He lives a domestic life with his wife, Winnie Verloc and her family. In the beginning of the novel, Mr. Verloc is called to the Embassy to have a meeting with his superior Mr. Vladimir. During the meeting Vladimir severely reprimands Verloc and tells him to attack the Greenwich Observatory and to make it look like an act of sheer madness. Mr. Vladimir says, ““Madness alone is truly terrifying, inasmuch as you cannot placate it by threats, persuasion, or bribes.” Mr. Verloc feels this meeting is the beginning of the end for him. If he cannot complete this act of the madness then he will lose his way of life. This quote foreshadows how Mr. Verloc will actually lose his life. When Winnie discovers that Mr. Verloc was responsible for her brother Stevie’s death, she goes into a trance of madness. Her entire being is filled with the thought that Mr. Verloc killed Stevie and he must pay. In that state of madness Winnie stabs Verloc. The quote foreshadows this event because while Winnie is dealing with her grief and mourning Mr. Verloc is continuously talking about the future and their plans to live abroad. He assures her of his fondness for her and the security of their future together. These words do nothing to soothe Winnie, and actually cause her more suffering. In her mental state of madness Winnie is terrifying and powerful. She will not be soothed by any words but is simply a force of nature. Her madness will not be placated by Mr. Verloc’s words and there is only one course of action for her to take. Winnie takes the carving knife and plunges it into her husband’s chest.