Recap for the Close Reading

Passage 2: Camille
Passage 3: Claire
Passage 5: Laure-Abeille
Passage 12: Veronica
Passage 13: Ann-Sophie
Passage on page 50-51 (which is not one of the passages on the HOD/PB link): Anais


PS: Passage 5 and 17 are the same.

RR Part III

Marlow makes clear that he believes Kurtz to have gone mad. Marlow states that Kurtz was “hollow at the core…”, on page 72. As he hears more and more about Kurtz through the Russian man, Marlow becomes disgusted, he shouts, “I don’t want to know anything of the ceremonies used when approaching Mr Kurtz” […] “Mr Kurtz was no idol of mine”, p.72-73. It is when Marlow sees Kurtz for the first time that we finally see him through criticizing eyes, for what he has truly become: “It was as though an animated image of death carved out of ivory had been shaking its hand with menaces at a motionless crowd of men made of dark and glittering bronze.”, page 74. Although this description is dark and horrible, it is so symbolic with him as death for he can kill who he wants, but he himself has died inside; for ivory is white like him, but also what he has become, what he wants, his reason to live, and because it is “old ivory”, it has lost its worth. Although Kurtz came to the Congo with good intentions, opposing to everybody else’s greed, he has become obsessed with ivory in his quest to prove himself to his fiancé’s parents. Marlow still does respect him, “I think Mr Kurtz is a respectable man”, but the manager answers him coldly, “He was”, page 77. Although Marlow seemed obsessed with Kurtz throughout his journey, I feel that thinking of him was a way of putting aside all the horrors happening around him, having a goal. However, Marlow is still confused about his feelings for Kurtz, sensing disgust as well as respect for him.

RR # 3

[Excerpt]

At this point in the novel, Marlow has reached the Inner station, and it seems as if the reader has reached the inner darkness of the Congo’s heart. Kurtz has become this powerful figure, admired by he natives, and distinguishes himself form the rest of the members of the company, taking Marlow along with him. We discover Kurtz has a lover, and Marlow seems to dive deeper and deeper in the nightmares of his journey.

[...]

Marlow still occupies the same ambiguous position like in the beginning of the novel when he was ironic at times, and not so much at other times. In the end, although he is obviously disturbed by his journey in the African continent, he has acquired something the other men had not been seeking when they decided to board on the Nellie: experience, almost wisdom. It seems as if Marlow has deeply changed, matured during his expedition. However, he still views the events that have occurred during the journey as justifiable, because he has reached a certain status by confronting such hardships. In fact, he feels elevated by his experience, and feels he can judge and excuse the horror and violence of colonialism, because the men that participate in this mission come out of it with something bigger than wealth. This notion is very controversial, and Conrad concludes by leaving us to think about this outrageous issue.

Close Reading- RR #1

Firstly, Marlow describes with great detail the appearance of the “chain-gang”. The choice of words of Marlow paints a frightening and impressive portrait of the natives: “erect”, “criminals”, “outraged”, “violently”, “deathlike” (p.18). This creates a great contrast with Marlow: while they seem tall, strong, and dangerous, Marlow is alone, and seems much weaker; however, Marlow is not chained.

Moreover, the group is led by a white man: “ Behind this raw matter one of the reclaimed, the product of the new forces at work, strolled despondently, carrying a rifle by its middle.” Therefore, on top of the fist sentiment of indifference is added that of fear and incomprehension: Marlow seems unsympathetic of the bond that naturally exists between the white leader of the group and himself simply because of the color of his skin. Marlow emphasizes this with an ironic tone: “ After all, I also was a part of the great cause of these high and just proceedings.” (p.19). It is as if Marlow is automatically considered an ally because he is European, and is therefore expected to fully support the colonizing mission in the African continent.

DIBS ON.....

PASSAGE 12!!!!!

The Intended and Marlow's last lie

The Intended is Kurtz' fiancée who had spent years living away from her husband-to-be. Then when news came of his death, it's of no surprise the poor girl was heartbroken. But to the audience and to Marlow, who have been on this journey through the depths and dangers of the Congo's heart of darkness, listening to the Intended's whining and sobbing seems more obnoxious than sad. She is the perfect representation of Western ignorance towards the horrors of imperialism. I'm sure she admired her fiancé's piece of writing a great deal and probably only saw it from that aspect. Considering what could be interpreted as Kurtz' change of heart towards the African Congo, she still maintains this idea that all there is the Congo is brutes, savages, cannibals, disease, and heretics.
Which brings us to Marlow's last lie. Why did Marlow lie to the Intended about what her husbands last words were? I think several interpretations should be considered here rather than just the obviously clichéd like, he wanted her to keep a good memory of what once was. In the beginning of the story, Marlow describes pretty explicitly his opinions about women who apparently live in a separate kind of fantasy world full of castles and unicorns, and that once sprinkled with fairy dust, even the most horrid of places or things or people becomes (almost) worthy of the Gumdrop Forest. In a way, the lie preserved this supposed female fantasy. Especially since the Intended agreed with him and admitted it's what she expected. Also, in the most simplest of terms, it could be that Marlow decided not to tell her the truth because he would have to go into an elaborate explanation of why "the horror, the horror;" that would also take away from the symbolism of that exclamation. It would ruin the most famous quote of the book and I think Conrad did that on purpose in order to bring more weight and more mystery to Kurtz' last words.

Oh and I pick passage 5!