IndependentReadingDialecticalJournals

Name:AmandaCordero
Date:10/12/14
Period:3
TitleofNovel:HeartofDarkness
Author:JosephConrad

DialecticalJournalsPart1(125)
No Pg.# Quote
.

Response

Classificatio
n

47

...indeednothingiseasierforaman, Thisquoterevealsthat
TI
whohas,asthephrasegoes,followed becausetheyareseamen,
theseawithreverenceand
theyobviouslyhaveadeep
affection...(Conrad,1996,pg.47). senseofrespecttowardthe
ocean.Theseamens
reverencefortheocean
maybebecauseitisavery
unpredictableand
dangerouspartofnature.
Sincethemenhaveliveda
greatpartoftheirlifeand
manyoftheirexperiences
havetakenplaceinthesea,
theyseetheoceanastheir
home.Thepurposeof
thispassageistogivesome
backgroundinformation
aboutthethoughtsandlives
ofseamen.

48

Theworstthatcanbesaidofhimwas Conraddescribesthelifeof DI
thathedidnotrepresenthisclass.He seamenasidleandinactive
wasaseaman,buthewasawanderer, relaxed.Theseseamenidly
too,whilemostseamenlead,[...],a sitontheshipandletsit
sedentarylife.Theirmindsareofthe takethemwhereveritmay
stayathomeorder,andtheirhomeis go.However,Conradis
alwayswiththemtheshipandsois describingMarlowasa
theircountrythesea(Conrad,1996, wanderer,anexplorer
pg.48).
whoventuresouttofind
meaningbehindcertain
things.BecauseMarlowis
awandererandan
explorer,hewillprobably
setoff,inhiscuriosity,to
findcertaintruthsout
evenifhedoesntlikewhat

hecomesacross.He
cannotsitbyandletthe
shiptakehimwhereitmay,
hemustmakethe
discoverieshimselfevenif
whatthosediscoveries
entaildisturbhim.
3

49

Landinaswamp,marchthroughthe
woods,andinsomeinlandpostfeel
thesavagery,theuttersavagery,had
closedroundhim...(Conrad,1996,
pg.49).

Conradusesimageryand TT
certainwordsthatconnect
tothebooktheLordof
theFlies.Usingwordslike
savageandmarch
throughthewoods,
Conradconjuresanimage
ofamanstrugglingwith
savagery,beithisownor
someoneelses.Perhaps
thesavagerycouldbethe
darknessinmenshearts,
asseenintheLordofthe
Flies.Themotifofsavagery
isbecomingprominentin
theHeartofDarknessas
itwasintheLordofthe
Flies.However,whilethe
LordoftheFlieswas
mostlycivilizationvs
savagerymotif,wherethe
instincttolivebytherules
rivaledthedarkdesiresto
enforceoneswill.Heart
ofDarknessis,asthetitle
entails,exploringthe
savagerywithinamans
heartandtheirdarker
desires.

50

Theconquestoftheearth,which
Marlowisreferencinghow TW
mostlymeansthetakingitawayfrom theconquestoftheearth
thosewhohaveadifferentcomplexion basicallymeanstakingit
orslightlyflatternosesthanourselves, awayfromthosewholook
isnotaprettythingwhenyoulookintodifferentfromothers.The
ittoomuch.Whatredeemsitisthe stealingofNative
ideaonly.Anideaatthebackofitnot Americanslandbywhite

asentimentalpretencebutanideaand settlerswouldbeagood
anunselfishbeliefintheidea
example.TheTrailofTears
somethingyoucansetupandbow
and3,500Nativesdied
downbefore,andofferasacrificeto becauseoftheIndian
...(Conrad,1996,pg.50).
RemovalActtoobtain
moreland.Marlowis
sayingthattheideaof
takingitawayfrom
someonewhotheythinkis
inferior,isincredibly
enticingandmenwill
devotethemselvestothis
likereligiontheybow
downbefore,andoffera
sacrificeto.However,
Marlowstatesthatwhen
theideaisfollowed
through,themeansby
whichtheyhadtogetthere
isntaprettythingwhen
youlookintoittoomuch.
Toclarify,thepartthat
makestheideanotso
prettyanymoreisthe
peoplekilledforitthe
sacrifice.
5

51

Itseemedsomehowtothrowakind Manyofthemotifsand
TT
oflightoneverythingaboutmeand ideasthatarebecoming
intomythoughts.Itwassombre
prominentinthisbook
enough,tooandpitifulnot
connectstotheLordofthe
extraordinaryinanywaynotvery Flies.Forexample,the
cleareither.No,notveryclear.And ideaofgoodvsevilinthe
yetitseemedtothroughakindoflightLordoftheFliesandthe
(Conrad,1996,pg.51).
ideaoflightvsdarkinthe
HeartofDarknessare
verysimilartoeachother.
IntheLordoftheFlies,
theideaofbeingbornevil
orbeingmadeeviland
beingborngoodor
becominggooddirectly
connecttotheHeartof
Darknessinthatbothsides

mixtogether.Lightand
darkandgoodandevilblur
linesinbothbooks.
Marlowissayingthat
althoughcertainthings
aboutKurtzareclear,there
aresomethingsthatarent.
Marlowisfeelingthatlines
betweenlightanddarkare
blurring.InLordofthe
Flies,goodandevilblur
togetheraswellafterthe
murderofSimonthe
symbolforpureand
goodinthebook.
6

51

Iwouldputmyfingeronitandsay, IrecognizeMarlowsallure TS
WhenIgrowupIwillgothere
ofgoingintotheunknown
(Conrad,1996,pg.51).
foradventureanddanger.
Heiscuriousandlikesto
explorethingsthatarent
known,likeme.However,
Marlowseekstofindthe
truthandmeaningbehind
things.Ijustliketoexplore
forthesakeofknowledge
notunderstanding.Marlow
isanexplorerinevery
senseoftheword.Hewill
seekunderstandingbehind
thingsevenifhedoesnot
likewhathefinds.

52

Ialwayswentmyownroadandon Asthenarratorexplained TS
myownlegswhereIhadamindtogoearlierinthebook,Marlow
(Conrad,1996,pg.52).
isawandererwhochooses
togohisownpath.Ifeel
likeMarlowandIhavethat
incommon.Weareboth
independentandfollowour
ownpaths.Marlowisnot
usedtowarningpeopleof
hisdeparturebecauseofhis
exploratoryandcurious
nature.Heisusedtodoing

thingshiswayanddoing
thosethingsalonemuch
likeme.Ithinkthathisway
ofdepartinganddoing
thingshiswaymakeshima
lotmoremysteriousand
aloof.Heseemslikea
disturbedindividual
becauseofallthethingshe
experiencedwhengoinghis
ownpath.
8

55

Sheseemeduncannyandfateful.
Darknessisarecurring
TI
OftenfarawayIthereIthoughtof
themeinConradsnovel.
thesetwo,guardingthedoorof
TheDarkness,inthis
Darkness,knittingblackwoolasfora context,meansthe
warmpall,oneintroducing,introducingsymbolicreferencetothe
continuouslytotheunknown,theotherUnderworldinGreek
scrutinizingthecheeryandfoolishfacesmythology.Marlowis
withunconcernedoldeyes.[...]Old feelinganxiousabouthis
knitterofblackwool.Moriturite
voyage.Theknitting
salutant.Notmanyofthoseshe
womensunconcernfor
lookedateversawheragainnothalf, thesemenonlyaddstohis
byalongway(Conrad,1996,pg. anxiety.Itseemsasifthey
55).
knowwhatwillhappento
themanditdoesntseem
good.Theknittingwomen
representtheFatesin
Greekmythology.Itis
believedthattwooutofthe
threeFatesknit/spinthe
lifethreadofeachliving
humanbeing.Oneofthe
otherfatescutthethread
whenanindividualwas/is
dying/dead/closetodeath.
Marlowdescribesoneof
thewomenasuncanny
andfateful.TheFatesare
mostoftendescribedas
oneofthewomenbeing
youngtosymbolizebirth,
theothermiddleagedto
symbolizemiddlelife,and

theotheroneasoldto
symbolizedeath.However,
oneoftheFatesismissing
inMarlowsdescription.I
thinkitcouldbethe
middleagedoneto
representthattheyarestill
goingthroughtheirmiddle
lifeorthatmaybetheywill
dieearlierandwontreach
theirmiddlelife.Thephrase
Morituritesalutantis
madebyMarlowasjoke
butitmeans:Hail,
Emperor,thosewhoare
abouttodiesaluteyou.
9

57

10 61

Areyouanalienist?Iinterrupted. Analienististheformer TW
Everydoctorshouldbealittle,... nameforapsychiatrist.
(Conrad,1996,pg.57).
Frommypriorknowledge,
analienistwasa
psychiatristwhoassessed
thementalstateofa
defendantinacourt.The
doctorissayingthatevery
doctorshouldthinkina
waythatallpsychiatrists
thinkeveryoneisntas
competentastheyappear
tobe.
Hangedhimself!Why,inGods
ThistiesintohowMarlow DI
name?Icried.Hekeptonlookingout isatruthseekerandhow
watchfully.Whoknows?Thesuntoo hewantstounderstandthe
muchforhim,orthecountry
meaningbehindthings.This
perhaps(Conrad,1996,pg.61).
quotereflectshowthe
Congo/Africacouldbetoo
muchforaman.Corruption
andunfairtreatmentofthe
Congopeoplecantakea
tollonsomeone.The
Swedishmansimply
couldnttaketherealityin
thecountry.Marlowis
startingtoseekthemeaning

behindthings,butatthis
point,heisnotlikingwhat
heishearing.Perhapsthis
quotereflectshow
Marlowsreactionswill
evolve.Maybehewillnot
beasshockedanymore
andwillbecomemore
desensitizedaboutthe
circumstancesofthe
country.
11 62

Afterall,Ialsowasapartofthegreat Inthisquote,Marlowis
TT
causeofthesehighandjust
justifyinghisfutureactions.
proceedings(Conrad,1996,pg.62). Heisstatingthathe,too,
didthethingshedidfora
higherpurpose.
However,Iamnotsure
whetheritwasforreligion
Marlowdoesnotseem
devoutlyreligious.Even
thoughMarlowdoesnot
seemveryreligious,this
statementremindsmeof
Nathanfromthe
PoisonwoodBible.Both
NathanandMarlow
believedthattheiractions
wouldserveabetterand
justpurpose.However,
Nathanthoughtofitas
religionwhileMarlowis
thinkingofitasajust
cause.

12 64

TheblackbonesreclinedatfulllengthConradsdescriptionofthe TW
withoneshoulderagainstthetree,and Africanboyisverygrim
slowlytheeyelidsroseandhesunken anddeathlike.His
eyeslookedupatme,enormousand descriptionoftheboy
vacant,akindofblind,whiteflickerin conjuresanimageofdeath
thedepthoftheorbs,whichdiedout orthegrimreaper.
slowly(Conrad,1996,pg.64).
However,thedescriptionis
veryaccuratetohowmany
ofthepeopleinAfricalive
todayandeveninthepast.

About26%ofthe
malnourishedchildreninthe
worldliveinAfrica.Ifthese
childrendontdiefrom
hunger,theydieofdisease,
violence,andotherhorrific
deaths.Theflickerthat
diedoutslowlydescribed
byConradmeansthe
flickerofhope,whichis
slowlydiminishingorhas
alreadydiminished.
13 65

HisappearancewascertainlythatofaThisquoteisthedefinition DI
hairdressersdummybutinthegreat ofcorruptioninAfricaand
demoralizationofthelandhekeptup inmanyotherplacesinthe
hisappearance(Conrad,1996,pg. world.Whilethepeople,
65).
citizens,ofAfricaaredying
ofhunger,exposure,and
violence,peoplewhoclaim
tohavecometohelpare
livinglivesofluxuryand
excess.Thismaniskeeping
hisappearanceandluxury
whiletheactualpeopleof
thiscountryaredying.The
purposeofthispassageis
toshowtheironyandthe
unfairness.Conradisjust
showingapreview,ataste,
ofwhatothercorruption
willoccurinlaterevents.

14 69

OnthefifteenthdayIcameinsightofWheretheCentralStation TW
thebigriveragain,andhobbledinto wascalledLeopoldville.
theCentralStation(Conrad,1996, However,todayitisknown
pg.69).
asKinshasa.Kinshasais
thelargestcityofthe
DemocraticofCongo.Itis
alsothecapitaloftheDRC
today.Thebigriverthat
Marlowisreferencingisthe
CongoRiver,whichisthe
deepestriverintheDRC.

15 70

Heinspireduneasiness.Thatwasit!
Uneasiness.Notadefinitemistrust
justuneasinessnothingmore
(Conrad,1996,pg.70).

Thisquotegivesthegeneral DI
anidentityofan
unimportantperson.Hehas
noinitiative,talents,
purpose,orintelligence.He
is,simplyput,anempty
individual.SinceMarlowis
amanwhovalues
understandingthepurpose
ofthings,thegeneralmakes
himuneasybecausehehas
nopurpose.Thisishooked
toothereventsinthebook
becausethegeneralis
emptyandMarlowis
apprehensiveofthatthere
ismorefearbeinginstilled
inMarlow.Thisuneasiness
couldbeforeshadowing
otherfutureeventsaswell
maybethegeneralisan
actualmajorcharacterin
thebook.

16 71

HesealedtheutterancewiththatsmileThiscanleadtothe
DI
ofhis,asthoughithadbeenadoor revelationofwhatMarlow
openingintoadarknesshehadinhis iscallingthedarkness.
keeping(Conrad,1996,pg.71).
Maybethedarknessis
havingnopurposeorthe
eventthathappenstocause
apersontohaveno
purpose.

17 72

Theywanderedhereandtherewith Thissimile,observedby TI
theirabsurdlongstavesintheirhands, Marlow,comparesthese
likealotoffaithlesspilgrimsbewitchedsoldierstomindless
insidearottingfence(Conrad,1996, robotswhodosomeone
pg.72).
elsesbidding.Theyfollow
mindlesscommands.The
factthatMarlowuses
faithlesspilgrimsisironic
becausepilgrimswere
devoteeswhowentona
journeyforreligious
freedom.Marlowis

becomingfearfulofthe
strangethingsheisseeing
andcallingthemfaithless
pilgrimsmeansdevotees
whovelosttheirfaithin
religion.Marlowseemsto
dislikethembecauseof
theiraimlesswanderingand
nosenseofpurpose.
Obviously,Marlowisvery
setandkeentowhathis
purposeisandwhathe
needstodotoaccomplish
it.
18 74

Theyintriguedandslanderedand
Thisquoteremindsmeof TS
hatedeachotheronlyonthataccount, themanypeoplethatIhave
butastoeffectuallyliftingalittle encounteredduringhigh
fingeroh,no.Byheavens!thereis school.Therearemany
somethingafterallintheworldallowing
peoplewhowouldrather
onemantostealahorsewhileanother cheatandliethanjustdo
mustnotlookatahalter(Conrad, thework.Theycomplain
1996,pg.74).
andinsultworkorother
things,butwhenitcomes
downtoit,theydonothing.
Thesepeopledonotdo
anyworkandjustletothers
pickuptheirslack.Marlow
issayingthattheres
somethingaboutthisworld
thatallowssomeoneto
stealanotherpersons
thingsthattheyworkedso
hardforbutcandonothing
about.

19 76

Ilethimrunon,thispapiermach Mephistophelesisa
TW
Mephistopheles...(Conrad,1996, demon,accordingto
pg.76).
Germanfolklore,who
workedforSatan.He,
however,didnotcorrupt
othermen'ssouls.
Mephistophelescollected
thesoulsofmenwhowere
alreadydamned.Marlow

realizesthatthe
brickmakerswordsare
emptyandholdnotruth.
WhenMarlowcallshim
papiermach,hemeans
thatheshollowandfake
inside.Marlowcallshima
fakeMephistopheles,who
doesnthaveanybasisfor
hiswordsoractions.
20 77

YouknowIhate,detest,andcant AlthoughMarlowhates
TI
bearalie,notbecauseIamstraighter lies,asheclaimsitmakes
thantherestofus,butsimplybecause himsick,hesortofliesto
itappalsme.Thereisataintofdeath,athebrickmaker.Heletsthe
flavourofmortalityinlieswhichis brickmakerbelievethathe
exactlywhatIhateanddetestinthe isinfluentialinEurope.But,
worldwhatIwanttoforget.[...].
Marlowadmitsthatheis
Well,Iwentnearenoughtoitbylettingjustlikethosebewitched
theyoungfooltherebelieveanythinghepilgrimsandknowsthathe
likedtoimagineastomyinfluencein isntbetterthananyone
Europe.Ibecameinaninstantasmuchelse.Heacknowledgesthat
ofapretenceastherestofbewitched hedoes,infact,lie.
pilgrims(Conrad,1996,pg.77).
However,Marlowdoes
notlikethefactthathelies
anddoesdetestthat.He
sincerelyregretsit.

21 78

Welive,aswedreamalone...
(Conrad,1996,pg.78).

Iagreewiththisquotein TS
thebook.Ithinkthat
certainpersonal
experienceshappentous
alone.Certainexperiences
canmakeyourealizethat
sometimesyoucanonly
countonyourself.Marlow
seemstograspthat,and
perhapsfutureeventswill
makehimrealizethisfact.
Maybehisexperienceswith
Kurtzwillmakehisviews
shifttoreflectthemeaning
ofthequote.

22 80

Idontlikeworknomandoesbut Marlowisstatingthathe TI
Ilikewhatisinthework,thechance likesworkbecausehecan
tofindyourself.Yourownrealityfor findhisownrealityinit.He
yourself,notforotherswhatnoother claimsthatnobodyelse,
mancaneverknow.Theycanonlysee excepttheworker,cansee
themereshow,andnevercantellwhat whataworkersees.Also,
itreallymeans(Conrad,1996,pg. nobodyelseotherthanthe
80).
workercanfeelwhat
workingfeelslike.Claiming
whatyouworkedonas
yourownissomethingthat
apersonlookinginward
cannotexperience.They
onlyseetheprocessofthe
hardworkbeingdone,but
willneverexperiencehow
accomplishedtheworker
feels.Theideaofhard
workandothersnot
understandingisbecoming
amotifthroughoutthe
book.Also,Marlowseems
likeheskindofblabbering
onaboutthings.Maybehe
isntsaneatthispointand
hisaccountofthingscanbe
biased.

23 82

Thisdevotedbandcalleditselfthe Eldoradowasthenameof TT
EldoradoExploringExpedition,andI thefamousmythicalcountry
believetheyweresworntosecrecy. believedtobefilledwith
theirtalk,however,wasthetalkof
unimaginableriches.Itwas
sordidbuccaneers:itwasreckless
believedtobelocatedin
withouthardihood,greedywithout
SouthAmericaandmany
audacity,andcruelwithoutcourage... sixteenthcenturyjourneyed
(Conrad,1996,pg.82).
offtofindit.Theideaof
unimaginablerichesreminds
meofTheGreatGatsby.
Also,whenMarlowsays
thatthesepeoplewere
recklesswithout
hardihood,greedywithout
audacity,andcruelwithout
courage,itisasifhewas

sayingthattheyarenot
whattheyseem.These
peoplearetheoppositeof
whattheyseemorthey
lackcertaincharacteristics.
Gatsbylackedcertain
characteristicsthathemade
upforbyfakingit.
However,hispurposewas
toaccomplishadreambut
thisbandhasnodreamsor
motivesjustgreed.Greed
inthisbookandinThe
GreatGatsbyarealso
veryimportantthemes.
24 86

Noone,asfarasIknow,unlessa Thisquoteremindsmeof TS
speciesofwanderingtradera
whenIsawachildhood
pestilentialfellow,snappingivoryfrommoviecalledElDorado.
thenatives...(Conrad,1996,pg.
NowthatIthinkaboutit,
86).
theycharacterizedthe
Spaniardasinchargeof
everything.Thewayhe
stoodontheboatwithall
hisarmorandtheslaves
rowingtheboatmadehim
seemlikeasortofgod.I
thinkthatthisquoteis
alludingtothewhitemenor
othercolonistsstealingthe
richesfromthenatives.

25 87

...gethimhanged!Whynot?AnythingThissectionofthebookis TT
anythingcanbedoneinthiscountry. similartoTheCrucible.
ThatswhatIsaynobodyhere,you Thegeneralissayingthat
understand,here,canendangeryour theyshouldjustkillothers
position.Andwhy?Youstandthe
forrevengeorforgain,
climateyououtlastthemall(Conrad,whichiswhatessentially
1996,pg.87).
happensinTheCrucible.
InTheCrucible,manyof
thecharacterskilledtheir
neighborsforrevengeor
forgainandthegeneralin
theHeartofDarknessis
displayingsomeofthe

samecharacteristicsofthe
accusers.Heissayingthat
itshouldntmatterifthey
killthisperson,nobodys
goingtosayanythingabout
itbecauseintheCongo,no
onewillreallycare.Itsas
iftheCongoisagreyarea
wheretheycangetaway
withthingsthatthey
couldntintheirreal
world.

DialeticalJournalsPart2(2550)
No.

Pg.
#

Quote

Response

Classificat
ion

26.

98

'Toyou,eh?'Iasked Ithinkthattheauthorsuseof
TI
'whatwouldyoudo
languageandhowheframesthe
withthem?''Eat'im!'he waythischaracterissayingthe
saidcurtly...(Conrad, dialogueisveryinteresting.Itis
1996,pg.98).
revealingjusthowtiredandhungry
thesemenarefeeling.Thejourney
waslongandmerciless.Theway
thatthemansaysEatim!,
revealshowcarelesstheyarewith
theirdecisionofturningto
cannibalism,justlikehowcareless
theirlanguageis(Conrad,1996,
pg.98)..

27.

98

So,unlessthey
swallowedthewire
itself,ormadeloopsof
ittosnarethefishes
with,Idon'tseewhat
goodtheirextravagant
salarycouldbeto
them(Conrad,1996,

Thisquoteisimportantbecauseitis DI
anexampleofhowtherichesthey
aresoproudofanddesperateto
possessareessentiallyuselessin
Congo.Thisquoteremindsof
Darwinstheoryofevolution:
certaintraitsarefavorableincertain
environmentbutcouldbe

pg.98).

disadvantageousandeven
detrimentalinotherenvironments.
Thebrasswireisuselessandit
seemslikeitjustmakesthemen
evenmoredesperate.Thispassage
ishookedtoothereventsinthatthe
mendontrealizethateverythingis
goingtochangeandtheyeither
needtoadaptorperish.

28.

99

Whyinthenameofall Thisquotemakesmethinkofthe TT
thegnawingdevilsof eventsthatunfoldedinIntoThin
hungertheydidn'tgo Air.Althoughthesurvivors/hikers
forustheywere
werestarving,dehydrated,and
thirtytofiveandhave essentiallyfreezingtodeathinthe
agoodtuckinfor
highestsummit,theydidnotlose
once,amazesmenow theirhumanity.Although,itseems
whenIthinkofit
thatMarlowscrewwasonthe
(Conrad,1996,
brinkoflosingtheirsanity.
pg.99).
However,inbothTheHeartof

DarknessandIntoThinAir,the
survivorswereabletohangonto
whatevershredofhumanitythey
hadleft.

29.

99

Ilookedatthemas
youwouldonany
humanbeing,witha
curiosityoftheir
impulses,motives,
capacities,
weaknesses,when
broughttothetestof
aninexorablephysical
necessity.Restraint!
Whatpossible
restraint?Wasit
superstition,disgust,
patience,fearor

ThisquoteremindsmeofoneoftheTT
charactersinThePoisonwood
Bible.Morespecifically,itreminds
meofAdahPrice.LikeMarlow,
Adahisveryperceptive,almostlike
anomniscientnarrator.Shesees
thingsforwhattheyreallyarelike
Marlow.Inthisquote,Marlowis
observingtheactionsofhiscrew.
Adahalsoobservestheactionsand
reasonsbehindtheactionsofher
familymembers.And,likeMarlow,
Adahdoesntexpresswhatshe
thinksoutloud.However,theonly

somekindofprimitive
honour?Nofearcan
standuptohunger,no
patiencecanwearit
out,disgustsimply
doesnotexistwhere
hungerisandasto
superstition,beliefs,
andwhatyoumaycall
principles,theyareless
thanchaffinabreeze
(Conrad,1996,
pg.99).

30.

100 Well,Ido.Ittakesa
manallhisinborn
strengthtofighthunger
properly.It'sreally
easiertoface
bereavement,
dishonour,andthe
perditionofone's
soulthanthiskindof
prolongedhunger.Sad,
buttrue(Conrad,
1996,pg.100).

differenceisthatnowMarlowis
voicinghisthoughtstotheunknown
narratorofthestory.Marlowis
tryingtofigureouttherestraintsof
hiscrewmembers.Inotherwords,
heistryingtofigureouttheir
weaknesses/reasonsbehindtheir
behaviors.Adahalsolikestostudy
herfamilymembersandwhat
pushestheirbuttonsandtheir
weaknesses.

ThisquotebyMarlowremindsme TT
ofthereligiousstruggleinLifeof
Pi.PiPatel,whenheisstrandedon
theboat,isstrugglingwithhunger.
However,itwasagainsthismany
religionstokilllivingthingsandhe
sufferedgreatlybecauseofit.Itwas
hardforPitoholdbackfromthe
hunger.Pieventuallygaveinand
killedalivingthingforsustenance.
Marlowandhiscrewaregoing
throughthesamesituation.Theyare
strandedbythefogandbygoing
downtherivertomeetKurtz.
Marlowandhiscrewarestarvingto
death,muchlikePiandRichard
Parker.Piwouldvesufferedthe
hungerthansinningaganisthis
religion.ItissimilartoMarlowand
hiscrewtheydratherfacethe
consequencesoftheirsins,
dishonours,etc.thanliveonwith
thepanginghunger.

31.

100 Hewasjustthekind
ofmanwhowould
wishtopreserve
appearances.Thatwas
hisrestraint(Conrad,
1996,pg.100).

Inthisquote,Marlowissayingthat TT
whatthemanagerhadsaidwas
sincere.However,itisonlysincere
becauseofthemanagersneedto
keepupappearances.Thisreminds
meofJayGatsbyinTheGreat
Gatsby.Gatsbyissuperconcerned
withkeepingupwithhisfalseimage
ofbeingextremelyrich,
welleducated,andsophisticated.
Marlowrecognizedthattryingto
keepupwithappearanceswasthe
managersweaknessthatheldhim
back.Likethemanager,Gatsbys
weaknessisthesame.

32.

101

Theapproachtothis
Kurtzgrubbingfor
ivoryinthewretched
bushwasbesetbyas
manydangersas
thoughhehadbeenan
enchantedprincess
sleepinginafabulous
castle(Conrad,1996,
pg.101).

Ifoundthisquoteamusingbecause TS
heiscomparingKurtztoaprincess
thatneedsrescuing.Lateroninthe
book,Marlowmentionsthat
Kurtzsnamemeanstallandstrong.
Kurtzisdepictedasaverytalland
intimidatingindividual.Ihave
experiencedimagingwhataperson
maylooklikebeforeImeetthem.
Marlowisverycurioustowhatthis
famousKurtzislike.MarlowandI
sharethesamecuriousnature.

33.

108

Thewildernesshad
pattedhimonthehead,
and,behold,itwaslike
aballanivoryballit
hadcaressedhim,
andlo!hehad
witheredithadtaken
him,lovedhim,
embracedhim,gotinto
hisveins,consumedhis

Ithinkthatthisquoteissayingthat TI
maybegreedorsorcery/ritualsthat
Kurtzpracticesisconsuminghim.
Thebaldnessdoesntseemnatural.
Marlowissayingthatthe
wildernesshadtouchedhishead.
Itcouldmeansymbolicallyor
literallyconsumedhimfromhishead
(maybehisthoughtsordreams).
Marlowissayingthatsomething

flesh,andsealedhis
soultoitsownbythe
inconceivable
ceremoniesofsome
devilishinitiation
(Conrad,1996,
pg.108).

hadconsumedKurtzthatheno
longerresembledawholehuman
being.Heisasemblanceofa
humanbeing.Kurtzsfleshwas
consumedandhissoulwas
sealedbysomedemonicthing.

34.

109

Youshouldhave
heardhimsay,'My
ivory.'Oh,yes,Iheard
him.'MyIntended,my
ivory,mystation,my
river,my'everything
belongedtohim
(Conrad,1996,
pg.109).

Thisquoteisimportantin
DI
characterizingKurtz.Marlowis
pointingoutthatKurtztalkslike
everythingalreadybelongstohim,
whichmakesKurtzseemlikean
egotistical,greedy,andambitious
person.Kurtzthinksthateverything
belongstohimandheisdrivento
possesseverything.However,thisis
ironicbecauseKurtzhimselfhas
alreadybeenovertakenbythe
darknessthatMarlowkeepstalking
about.Thisquoteessentiallyreveals
thefigurativemeaningofthe
darknessMarlowisconcerned
about.

35.

109

Thethingwasto
knowwhathe
belongedto,howmany
powersofdarkness
claimedhimfortheir
own.Thatwasthe
reflectionthatmade
youcreepyallover.It
wasimpossibleitwas
notgoodforone
eithertryingto
imagine.Hehadtaken
ahighseatamongstthe

IthinkthatMarlow,inthisquote,is TI
describingthenativesasthedevils.
Kurtzisgoingmad,asMarlowhas
observed,bytakinghisplace
amongthenatives.Thisquote
revealstheongoingmotifofthe
darkness.AsKurtzaccepts
worshipfromthenativeAfricans,
Marlowthinksthatheisquickly
becomingconsumedbythe
darkness.Marlowthinksthatby
Kurtztakinghisplaceamongthe
natives,hehastakenaseatamong

devilsofthelandI
meanliterally
(Conrad,1996,
pg.109).

thedevilsandstraightintothe
darkness.

IagreewithwhatMarlowissaying. TS
Kurtzistoosmarttobetakenby
thedarkness,buthewasanyways.
Marlowisalsoimplyingthat
althoughthosewhohadntmadea
bargainwiththedevilarepure,they
aremissingpartoflife.Ihave
missedmanyexcitingadventures
becauseIdidntdoanything
exciting.AlthoughIdidnt
participateindangerousactivities,I
stillmissedoutonanexperienceto
learn.

36.

110

Itakeit,nofoolever
madeabargainforhis
soulwiththedevilthe
foolistoomuchofa
fool,orthedeviltoo
muchofadevilI
don'tknowwhich
(Conrad,1996,
pg.110).

37.

110

Yourstrengthcomes ThisquoteremindsmeofNathan TT
in,thefaithinyour
PriceinThePoisonwoodBible.
abilityforthediggingofMarlowmentionscertainkeywords
unostentatiousholesto thatmakesomeonethinkofreligion
burythestuffinyour suchasfaith.Nathanisextremely
powerofdevotion,not religiousanddevotedandhethinks
toyourself,buttoan itishissolepurposetolivebyand
obscure,
spreadthewordoftheLord.
backbreaking
Marlowissayingthatthepowerof
business(Conrad,
devotiontosomethinggreaterthan
1996,pg.110).
youkicksinalongwithyour
strength.

38.

111

Hebeganwiththe
argumentthatwe
whites,fromthepoint
ofdevelopmentwehad
arrivedat,'must
necessarilyappearto
them[savages]inthe

Marlowisrecountinghis
DI
conversationwithKurtz.Kurtzwas
sayingtothewhitementhatthey
shouldapproachthenativesasif
theyweregods.Thiswouldmake
thenativesworshipthemasgods
becausetheyaresuperior.Thisis

natureofsupernatural
beingsweapproach
themwiththemightof
adeity,'andsoon,and
soon.'Bythesimple
exerciseofourwillwe
canexertapowerfor
goodpractically
unbounded,'etc.,etc
(Conrad,1996,
pg.111).

importantandhookedtoother
eventsbecauseKurtzthinkshecan
makeagodworshiperrelationship
withthenativesthatcantbe
broken.Marlowalsoadmireshow
eloquentlyKurtzcouldexpresssuch
anidea.Themeaningofthewords
frightenMarlowbuttheeloquence
ofthewordswerewhatmovedhim.

39.

111

Itwasverysimple,
Thisquoteisconnectedtomany TW
andattheendofthat instancesofethnocentrisminmany
movingappealtoevery partsoftheworld.Manyupsetting
altruisticsentimentit eventssuchastheTrailofTears,
blazedatyou,luminous theHolocaust,andslaveryare
andterrifying,likea expressedthroughExterminateall
flashoflightningina thebrutes!(Conrad,1996,
serenesky:
pg.111).Marlow,whowasso
'Exterminateallthe
fascinatedbytheeloquenceof
brutes!'(Conrad,
Kurtzswords,issuddenlybrought
1996,pg.111).
backtorealitybythosefourwords.
Beneaththecharmingandfancy
wordsliesKurtzstrueintentions.
Hewantstoeithertakethe
savageoutfromthenativesor
commitagenocide.

40.

112

NoIcan'tforgethim, UnliketheRussian/harlequin,
DI
thoughIamnot
MarlowacknowledgesKurtzs
preparedtoaffirmthe powerbutisntattractedtoit.Hes
fellowwasexactly
notblindlyattractedtoKurtzs
worththelifewelostin powerliketheRussianseemstobe.
gettingtohim
TheRussianisdescribedasa
(Conrad,1996,
harlequinbecauseheblindlyand
pg.112).
foolishlyfollowsKurtzbecauseof
thepowerhepossesses(also

becauseofthewaytheRussian
dresses).Thisisimportantin
identifyinganotherthemeinthe
story:powerandthedarknessthat
canconsumeyouifyoublindly
chaseit.TheRussianisovercome
bydarkness,literallyblind,because
hecantseeKurtzforwhathe
reallyis.Kurtzisconsumedby
darknessbecausehecravespower
bydominatingthenatives,thinking
heownseverything,andbeing
obsessedwiththeideaof
Imperialism.
41.

112

Andtheintimate
profundityofthatlook
hegavemewhenhe
receivedhishurt
remainstothisdayin
mymemorylikea
claimofdistantkinship
affirmedinasupreme
moment(Conrad,
1996,pg.112).

ThisquoteremindsmeofAdahand TT
OrleannaPriceinThePoisonwood
Bible.IfeellikeMarlow,inaway,
abandonedhishelmsman.Thisis
similartohowOrleannaabandoned
AdahandsavedRuthMayinstead
fromtheants.Theonlydifferenceis
thatMarlowwasntrelatedtothis
manbybloodOrleannaabandoned
herowndaughter.Orleanna
decidedtosavetheyoungest,
perfectdaughterinsteadofthe
daughterhowneededthemost
help.Marlowabandonedhis
helmsmanbynotmourningforhim
properlyandnotbeingbyhisside
whenhedied.BothMarlowand
Orleannaabandonedsomeonein
theirtimeofneedwhenitmattered
themost.

42.

119

Therehewasbefore Marlowissurprisedandconfused TI
me,inmotley,as
attheRussianandhisattire.He
thoughhehad
usesmetaphorstosuggestthat

abscondedfroma
troupeofmimes,
enthusiastic,fabulous.
Hisveryexistencewas
improbable,
inexplicable,and
altogether
bewildering
(Conrad,1996,
pg.119).

maybehecamefromacircusact
becauseofhisclothes.Marlowis
probablywonderinghowKurtz
couldkeepsuchcompanyifheisas
importantaseveryoneseemsto
describehim.Marlowmaybe
feelingabitdupedbecauseaman
wholookslikeacourtjesteris
goingtotakethemtosomeonethey
riskedtheirlivesjusttocomesee.

43.

123

Theywouldhavebeen Theheadsonthestakesiscalled TW
evenmoreimpressive, headhunting.Throughoutthebook,
thoseheadsonthe
therehavebeensomehorrificthings
stakes,iftheirfaces
seenalready.However,theheads
hadnotbeenturnedto aretheultimateclimacticscene.
thehouse(Conrad,
Headhunting,especiallyinEcuador
1996,pg.123).
andAfricanculture,arecommonin
tribes.However,theactofhead
shrinkingisonlypracticedinthe
northwesternregionofthe
Amazonianforest.Thefactthat
therearerotting,decapitatedheads
andareturnedtowardsthehouse
symbolizesKurtzsmadnessand
excessivebrutality.

44.

123

...thereitwas,black, Marlowisobviouslysurprisedand TW
dried,sunken,with
horrifiedatthesightofheads
closedeyelidsahead impaledonastake.Marlowhas
thatseemedtosleepat probablyneverseenanythinglikeit
thetopofthatpole,
andconsidersitfascinatingbut
and,withtheshrunken terrifyingatthesametime.
drylipsshowinga
Headhuntingispracticedbyatribe
narrowwhitelineofthe decapitatingtheheadsofenemy
teeth,wassmiling,too, tribes.Theheadsarethenimpaled
smilingcontinuouslyat onastakeandshowedoffinfront
someendlessand
ofthetribeshouses.Marlowis
jocosedreamofthat seeingtheheadsmilingwhich

eternalslumber
(Conrad,1996,
pg.123).

addsmoreofahorrificfeelingtothe
scene.Asmentionedbefore,
Kurtzsmadnessandbrutalityis
madeobviouswiththeheads.

45.

123

...ithadwhisperedto MarlowissayingthatthewildernessDI
himthingsabouthimselfisalmostlikealovertoKurtz.It
whichhedidnotknow, whispersandtemptsKurtzandhe
thingsofwhichhehad isntabletoresist.Thisisimportant
noconceptiontillhe tofutureeventsbecauseKurtzwill
tookcounselwiththis becompletelyconsumedbyhis
greatsolitudeandthe obsessionwithpower,Imperialism,
whisperhadproved
etc.Kurtzisweaktoresistthe
irresistiblyfascinating. darknessthatconsumeshimevenin
Itechoedloudlywithin hisdeath,Kurtzisconsumedbythe
himbecausehewas
darknesswhenMarlowturnsout
hollowatthecore.... thelight.
(Conrad,1996,
pg.123).

46.

124

'Youdon'tknowhow ThisquoteandtheRussianmango TS
suchalifetriesaman againstwhatIbelieveaperson
likeKurtz,'cried
shoulddointheirlife.TheRussian
Kurtz'slastdisciple. thinksheisnothingcomparedto
'Well,andyou?'Isaid. Kurtzheisdeliberatelyputting
'I!I!Iamasimple
himselfdownwhenheiscompared
man.Ihavenogreat toKurtz.Marlowseesthisand
thoughts.Iwant
determinesthatthisistheRussian
nothingfromanybody mansweakness.Ithinkthatyou
(Conrad,1996,
shouldntblindlyfollowaperson
pg.124).
youshouldmakeyourownpath

andfollowit.

47.

128

...she opened her Iamnottoosurewhattheexotic TS

bared arms and threw womanisdoinginthisscene.I
themuprigidaboveher believesheisaddressingKurtz
head, as though in an perhapsshehadarelationshipwith
uncontrollable desire to Kurtz(lover).Sheseemstobe
touch the sky, and at mourning,inherownway.Thisisa

the same time the swift hugecontrastbetweenKurtzs

shadows darted out on Intended.KurtzsIntendedweeps
theearth,sweptaround andpitiesexcessivelythatyouhave
on the river, gathering tofeelbadforher.However,this
the steamer into a Africanwomanconveysthedepth
shadowy embrace. A ofherlossbysimplythrowingher
formidable silence hunghandstothesky.Althoughasimple
over
the scene act,IthinkthatIwouldactas
(Conrad,
1996, neitherwoman.Ibelievethat
pg.128).
KurtzsIntendedgrievedinherown
wayjustastheAfricanmistressdid.

48.

133

IthoughtIwould
nevergetbacktothe
steamer,andimagined
myselflivingaloneand
unarmedinthewoods
toanadvancedage
(Conrad,1996,
pg.133).

Marlowfeelslikehislifeisflashing TS
beforehiseyes.Ididfeellikethis
onceinmylifewhenIalmost
drowned.However,itsnotlikein
themovieswhenyourlifeflashes
beforeyoureyes.IthinkMarlow
wasprettycalmandwasjust
thinkingaboutthethingshemight
notbeabletodo.

49.

133

Ablackfigurestood
up,strodeonlong
blacklegs,wavinglong
blackarms,acrossthe
glow.Ithad
hornsantelopehorns,
Ithinkonitshead.
Somesorcerer,some
witchman,nodoubt:it
lookedfiendlike
enough(Conrad,
1996,pg.133).

Ithinkthisquotegivesoffavery TS
ominousfeeling.LikeMarlow,Ifeel
likethisisdescribingadevillike
creature.Hedescribesthefigureas
black,withhorns,andfiendlike
(Conrad,1996,pg.133).However,
likeMarlow,Iamfascinatedbythe
waythisfigurelooksandis
describedbyConrad.Ihavenever
seenafigurelikethisbutMarlow
saysitlookedlikeasorcereror
withman,whichIwouldprobably
do,too.

50.

142

Hebecamedarkly
menacingatlast,and

TheCompanythatMarlow
TW
mentionsisBelgium.However,its

withmuchheatargued
thattheCompanyhad
therighttoeverybitof
informationaboutits
'territories(Conrad,
1996,pg.142).

notcalledBelgium.Inthebook,its
stressedthatKurtzwasshapedby
allofEurope.However,thismeans
thatallofEuropewouldbecorrupt
andexploitativebecauseitshaped
thegreedyandambitiousKurtz.
Europe,especiallyBelgium,was
knowntocolonizeAfrica.The
Belgiancolonialempiretreatedthe
peopleofAfricaunfairy.Under
Belgianrule,Africasricheswas
stolen.