Sometimes in life, people have expectations of themselves that are simply unattainable. This is the case of the main character of Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad. Jim aspires to be a hero when it's clear he's not meant to be. He tries so desperately to become a hero that his quest leads to his tragic death. Over the course of the novel, it becomes clear that the racial barrier is a problem when trying to establish a relationship based on trust. Jim's desire to gain the trust of the natives also contributes to his death. Through Jim's actions and the boundary that race creates between two groups of people, it is evident that people should not make promises they cannot keep. First in Jim's path to downfall is his undying desire to be a hero. Ever since Jim was sent to sea school, he knew the only place for him was the water. Thanks to his love for the sea, he can very easily climb the ranks to become a very high-ranking officer on an important ship. Growing up on the sea, Jim hears many stories of sailors becoming heroes and heroes....