Heart of Darkness Assignment 2 - Through Pg. 43 Honors / AP
Apply your knowledge of Feminism to Marlow's Aunt. How might she be viewed as a progressive stance by Conrad? Or is Conrad identifying the power that women frequently have, even if they are not typically accredited this power?
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Marlow’s adventure and acquaintances in Heart of Darkness, reflects many of Conrad’s personal experiences and associates. Marlow’s aunt, likewise, is the virtual image of Conrad’s real aunt, who helped Conrad getting the job in Africa. Although briefly mentioned in the book, Marlow’s aunt presents quite an impact and character.
While all his male relatives shrug off Marlow’s plea for his job, his aunt, willingly and ardently supports Marlow. “She was determined to make no end of fuss to get me [Marlow] appointed skipper of a river steamboat, if such was my [Marlow’s] fancy” (Conrad 23). Due to her efforts and connections, which she uses effectively and prudently, Marlow easily gets the job he has lusted for.
I don’t really believe that Conrad portrays his aunt as a peculiar character in Heart of Darkness. Rather, I think Conrad identifies general aspects of women, which people often overlook. For a long time, women are restricted to domestic affairs. However, I believe this very restriction has caused women to develop peculiar authority over it, and depends on her personality, could be wielded at the time of needs. To my opinion, Marlow’s aunt is just another example of strong willed women who knew how to be in control. She might have not been a normal feeble housewife, but still not too much of an errant character.
In addition to above reasons, I have seen several cases of strong willed women around or before Conrad’s time– even more passionate than Marlow’s aunt – in other literature works, such as Betsey Trotwood from David Copperfield, or Aunt March from Little Women. Since numerable literature works mention about influential female figures, I believe there were moderate chances of spotting those characters in real life.
Lastly, I don’t honestly think that Conrad actually appreciated his or Marlow’s aunt to that much of an extreme.
It’s queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in a world of their own, and there had never been anything like it, and never can be. It is too beautiful altogether, and if they were to set it up it would go to pieces before the first sunset. Some confounded fact we men have been living contentedly with ever since the day of creation would start up and knock the whole thing over (Conrad 28).
The description above indicates inevitable frame and limits regarding women at the time of Conrad, and slightly implies Conrad, or Marlow’s annoyance with sententious attitude of women. I assume that this aspect might have derived from prejudice of Conrad, or inexorable limits set by the time period.
Marlow's aunt is a caring individual, who is wailing to do anything for Marlow. She is potrayed as a motherly, quick worker, who, unlike men, is eager to work: "Then - would you believe it? - I tried the women. I, Charlie Marlow set the women to work - to get a job. .... I got my appointment - of course; and I got it very quick (Conrad 22)." Though Conrad understands some qualities of women that differentiates them from men, "It's queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in the world of their own, and there had never been anything like it, and never can be. It is too beautiful all together, and if they were to set it up it would go to pieces before the first sunset (Conrad 28)." The fact that a woman, in this case Marlow's aunt, finds Conrad an appointment for a job is somewhat a progressive stance to view women at the time period. The world was a masculine society and therefore, women were not as respected or did not have the position they do now.not re
When we look back in history we usually can see how women were not treated as equals to men. As we all know, women back in history were not allowed to have domestic affairs. Their job was to mainly stay in the house and do the house chores and take care of the children. Women like this were known to “good” housewives and the ones who had domestic affairs were the ones “disliked” by many men and people.
In the book the Heart of Darkness, Marlow`s aunt is portrayed as a women who is eager to help and to work. “It will be delightful. I am ready to do anything, anything for you. It is a glorious idea.” (Conrad 23) From her connections and her efficient work Marlow is easily able to get his job. Though Marlow was the one who asked his aunt to “work,” Conrad portrays how Marlow was not really willing to do this. “Then- would you believe it?- I tried the women. I, Charlie Marlow, set the women to work- to get a job. Heavens! Well, you see, the notion drove me” (Conrad 23). After being rejected by many people he turns to his aunt for help. She soon gets an appointment for Marlow and though this is a “good” thing for him it can somewhat be viewed as a progressive stance for women during this time.
Unlike many men back in time, I think that Marlow understands some of the good qualities in women. Unlike many men who disliked the idea of women getting a job and women being treated equal to men, Conrad writes how women can be in help and work. "Its queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in a world of their own, and there had never been anything like it, and never can be” (Conrad 28). Still the fact that women had limitations during this time did make Marlow`s aunt kind of stand out in the book.
Conrad’s Aunt is a model for Marlow’s Aunt, who is really caring woman. In the story of Heart of Darkness, Marlow’s Aunt positively supports Marlow to get a job. “She(Marlow’s Aunt) wrote: “It will be delightful. I am ready to do anything, anything for you…” She was determined to make no end of fuss to get me appointed skipper of a river steamboat, if such was my fancy.”(pg23)
In my opinion, I think Conrad is somewhat identifying the power that women have. Though, in the book he also mentions about his Aunt, who actually is a little bit different than other women. This is in a positive way, and he described her as a caring woman who is stronger comparing to other women. “I(Marlow) had an aunt, a dear enthusiastic soul.”(pg23) Marlow also respects her, who has more strength and a power than other women, but he obviously mentions the different between man and a woman.
Mai Ikushima B1 Conrad gives Marlow’s Aunt no name and treats her like a minor character in The Heart of Darkness, just like any other male author of his time. However, unlike others, he portrays the power that women truly have, the strings that they pull amidst ignorant men and their oppression. I had an aunt, a dear enthusiastic soul. She wrote: ‘…I know the wife of a very high personage in the Administration, and also a man who has lots of influence with,’ &c., &c. She was determined to make no end of fuss to get me appointed skipper of a river steamboat, if such was my fancy. ‘I got my appointment – of course; and I got it very quick. At first glance, this seems like a typical, prejudiced description of a woman, told from a man’s perspective. However, the true meaning is hidden behind Conrad’s delicate diction and syntax. “The wife of a very high personage in the Administration” means that this wife has a strong hold of her husband’s opinions and choices. She is capable or steering men towards her wants whenever necessary. Women’s power does not stay within the boundaries of holy matrimony. “I know…a man who has lots of influence,” means that the aunt, a normal woman of the time, knows how to pursue men in power to do her biddings. The final hint of women’s true power is hidden in the last phrase, “’I got my appointment – of course; and I got it very quick.” Not only did the Aunt get the task done, she got it done quickly. Any task involving many people can be done with slight influence, but without true power, nothing can be done quickly. This means that Conrad is hyper-aware of women’s authority, and is, perhaps, trying to start or help with the feminist movement by putting the underlying center of social gravity out in the open.
Marlow himself believes women to be naïve and incapable of achievement on their own “It’s queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in a world of their own, and there had never been anything like it, and never can be. It is too beautiful altogether, and if they were to set it up it would go to pieces before the first sunset.” (Conrad 21). With his chauvinistic mindset, Marlow felt somewhat desperate and degraded when he had to turn to his aunt, a woman, for help obtaining a job, something he, a man, could not do himself “Then- would you believe it? - I tried the women. I, Charlie Marlow, set the women to work- to get a job.” (Conrad 22/23). In depicting the dissatisfaction Marlow has towards a scenario where a man not only must resort to asking a woman for help, but also where the fate of his job lies in the hand of a woman, Conrad has identified the power that women frequently have; that is, incapable of holding any power to a man which in this case, was reversed. In this way, Marlow’s aunt could be considered a progressive, feminist stance.
Conrad illustrates Marlo's aunt, in the feminist perspective, almost in a contradicting way making his stand towards feminists fairly ambiguous. Conrad gives Marlo's aunt a pro-feminist role in the story in the sense that she is in a position to have enough power to provide Marlow with a decently prestigious Job. But, Conrad contradicts that anti-stereotypical tone entitled to Marlow's Aunt as she refers to the imperialistic abominations as “weaning those ignorant millions from their horrid ways”. All in all, I must say that the vibe presented is that Conrad's illustration pf Marlow's aunt is likely to get the feminists all rallied up.
Marlow's aunt is depicted as a progressive feminist stance by Conrad, due to her rare capability as a woman in her time to hold such authority and influence on men and society. She is an exception from other women, since she knew "the wife of a very high personage in the administration, and also a man who has lots of influence with &c., &c."(Conrad, 23). Conrad acknowledged the existence of a limited number of female authority figures, and their power. Therefore in the story Conrad describes Marlow getting the job easily through his aunt's power. "I got my appointment-of course; and I got it very quick" (Conrad, 23).
Although Marlow's aunt plays a crucial role in helping Marlow gain a job as a skipper of a river steamboat, she is given no name and is referred to as just an aunt in the novel by Conrad. Therefore, you can infer that Conrad is anti-feminist and believes that women in general plays a minor role in society. Marlow and Conrad himself was disappointed and disgusted when he had to resort to his aunt to get a job. "Would you believe it? I tried the women. I, Charlie Marlow set the women to work- to get a job" (Conrad, 23). The tone Conrad used to describe this situation clearly implies that he viewed women's power to be subordinate to men, always.
Conrad doesn’t set Marlow’s aunt as a remarkable character in the story, but if an extreme feminist who would do anything to find a minute thing that relates to women and tackle it is there to read this book, she will be satisfied how Conrad pictures this aunt. She’s got enough power to offer a job to the male main character. “I, Charlie Marlow, set the women to work – to get a job.” (Conrad 23) describes that Marlow is even sneaking to the aunt for a job. In the letter from the aunt to Marlow, she writes “I know the wife of a very high personage in the Administration, and also a man who has lots of influence with.”.(Conrad 23) I thought this not only shows the aunt’s power – because she has high position acquaintances in the society – but also the general view of Conrad toward women. The way it depicts the high personage wife and highly influencing man makes you feel like the woman doesn’t fall behind or anything. The wife is another female figure that has as much power as men. All of these shows how much progressive stance that Conrad had as far as the view of women is concerned.
Conrad's opinion on a women's role in society is quite ambiguous; He seems to portray women with respect, yet acknowledges their place in society with the old-fashioned stereotypical idea that women must be neat, be motherly and the 'fine wife'. ("...in a room that most soothingly looked just as you would expect a lady's drawing-room to look." pg 28) However, I would say that Marlow's aunt-figure would be viewed as a progressive stance for females, especially during the era that he wrote this novel. Although unnamed except for the title 'his aunt', much like those listening to Marlow's tale, the aunt has enough power and authority in what would be considered a 'man's society' - enough to arrange him an appointment almost immediately after he requests for her help. This would please feminists, for the aunt is portrayed with equal, if not more power and capability than the men portrayed in the story. However, on the other hand, when reading closely, perhaps Conrad's male pride kicks in, for he briefly mentions how Marlow was slightly embarrassed at the fact that he depended on a female to get his job, and how Marlow becomes tired of his aunt's nagging while having tea with her. This may be due to enhance the portrayal of Marlow's male dignity, or due to his own opinions on how women may act. The lines "It's queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in a world of their own, and there had never been anything like it, and never can be. It is too beautiful altogether, and if they were to set it up it would go to pieces before the first sunset. Some confounded fact we men have been living contentedly with ever since the day of creation would start up and knock the whole thing over." (pg 28) seems to express Conrad's views on the female population. It seems as though he views men and women to be figuratively living in completely different worlds, although he respects the differences. His portrayal of the aunt (and perhaps the female secretaries) seems to reflect this idea, a typical opinion seen from both men and women throughout time.
Women frequently have power that they are not accredited for. Many times, they are the ones with real power, as opposed to men. Conrad is trying to point this concept out when he speaks about his aunt. Many times, women work behind the scenes. And many times, women are not given credit for their accomplishments. Conrad and his aunt are very close. They have a good relationship and his aunt wants him to follow his dreams. Conrad portrays his aunt as being somewhat average in rank and influence. He even put her to work for him. When Conrad's mother wrote to Conrad, she said, "I am ready to do anything, anything for you. It is a glorious idea. I know the wife of a very high personage in the Administration, and also a man who has lots of influence with" (Conrad 23). Later, when Conrad said goodbye to his aunt, Conrad states, "In the course of these confidences it became quite plain to me I had been represented to the wife of the high dignitary and goodness knows to how many more people besides, as an exceptional and gifted creature - a piece of good fortune for the Company - a man you don't get hold of every day" (Conrad 28). Both of these passages prove that Conrad's aunt held authority and knew people who were highly influential. So, despite Conrad's thoughts about his aunt being an average citizen, he was proven otherwise when she was able to get him the job.
Marlow’s aunt is depicted as a knowledgeable older woman in this section of the Heart of Darkness. The way in which she is referred to has an air of respect, however with a slight tone of curious surprise as though Marlow was only just discovering the capabilities of women. “Then-would you believe it? –I tried the women. I, Charlie Marlow, set the women to work – to get a job. Heavens!” (Conrad 22/23) This tone of surprise in his writing makes it seem as though Marlow had just discovered women and that women are capable of accomplishing tasks, some of which seem to be a task some men cannot even accomplish. Marlow’s aunt represents the feministic power which went unnoticed by the men in this story, she accomplished a task that a man was incapable of doing, this suggests that in some ways, she is more powerful than him. Conrad shows this woman as a powerful figure in this scenario, a fairly significant doing I believe seeing as up until this point there have been no significant female characters, as a matter of fact I believe there have been no female roles up until Marlow’s aunt. Although Marlow’s aunt is shown as a powerful female figure in the novel, she is not shown as a sententious woman in the least bit in my opinion, she is merely a statement within the dialogue saying that women are capable but not lots more so than men.
With the quote, “It’s queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in a world all their own, and there had never been anything like it, and never can be, It is too beautiful altogether, and if they were to set it up it would go to pieces before the first sunset. Some confounded fact we men have been living contentedly with ever since the day of creation would start up and knock the whole thing over (Conrad 28)”. It is evident that Victorian era Africa was definitely a chauvinistic society. I think this quote emphasizes the fact that women were regarded as petty and disposable, seemed to live in this make believe world where reality was bent. However, upon seeing this quote, I also came to realize that it sheds light on the naivety of men in the particular time period. They see these women as background, yet it was the women who were feeding them, cleaning their clothes, and taking care of their children, all whilst having an actual occupation.
Marlow’s adventure and acquaintances in Heart of Darkness, reflects many of Conrad’s personal experiences and associates. Marlow’s aunt, likewise, is the virtual image of Conrad’s real aunt, who helped Conrad getting the job in Africa. Although briefly mentioned in the book, Marlow’s aunt presents quite an impact and character.
ReplyDeleteWhile all his male relatives shrug off Marlow’s plea for his job, his aunt, willingly and ardently supports Marlow. “She was determined to make no end of fuss to get me [Marlow] appointed skipper of a river steamboat, if such was my [Marlow’s] fancy” (Conrad 23). Due to her efforts and connections, which she uses effectively and prudently, Marlow easily gets the job he has lusted for.
I don’t really believe that Conrad portrays his aunt as a peculiar character in Heart of Darkness. Rather, I think Conrad identifies general aspects of women, which people often overlook. For a long time, women are restricted to domestic affairs. However, I believe this very restriction has caused women to develop peculiar authority over it, and depends on her personality, could be wielded at the time of needs. To my opinion, Marlow’s aunt is just another example of strong willed women who knew how to be in control. She might have not been a normal feeble housewife, but still not too much of an errant character.
In addition to above reasons, I have seen several cases of strong willed women around or before Conrad’s time– even more passionate than Marlow’s aunt – in other literature works, such as Betsey Trotwood from David Copperfield, or Aunt March from Little Women. Since numerable literature works mention about influential female figures, I believe there were moderate chances of spotting those characters in real life.
Lastly, I don’t honestly think that Conrad actually appreciated his or Marlow’s aunt to that much of an extreme.
It’s queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in a world of their own, and there had never been anything like it, and never can be. It is too beautiful altogether, and if they were to set it up it would go to pieces before the first sunset. Some confounded fact we men have been living contentedly with ever since the day of creation would start up and knock the whole thing over (Conrad 28).
The description above indicates inevitable frame and limits regarding women at the time of Conrad, and slightly implies Conrad, or Marlow’s annoyance with sententious attitude of women. I assume that this aspect might have derived from prejudice of Conrad, or inexorable limits set by the time period.
Marlow's aunt is a caring individual, who is wailing to do anything for Marlow. She is potrayed as a motherly, quick worker, who, unlike men, is eager to work: "Then - would you believe it? - I tried the women. I, Charlie Marlow set the women to work - to get a job. .... I got my appointment - of course; and I got it very quick (Conrad 22)."
ReplyDeleteThough Conrad understands some qualities of women that differentiates them from men, "It's queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in the world of their own, and there had never been anything like it, and never can be. It is too beautiful all together, and if they were to set it up it would go to pieces before the first sunset (Conrad 28)." The fact that a woman, in this case Marlow's aunt, finds Conrad an appointment for a job is somewhat a progressive stance to view women at the time period. The world was a masculine society and therefore, women were not as respected or did not have the position they do now.not re
When we look back in history we usually can see how women were not treated as equals to men. As we all know, women back in history were not allowed to have domestic affairs. Their job was to mainly stay in the house and do the house chores and take care of the children. Women like this were known to “good” housewives and the ones who had domestic affairs were the ones “disliked” by many men and people.
ReplyDeleteIn the book the Heart of Darkness, Marlow`s aunt is portrayed as a women who is eager to help and to work. “It will be delightful. I am ready to do anything, anything for you. It is a glorious idea.” (Conrad 23) From her connections and her efficient work Marlow is easily able to get his job. Though Marlow was the one who asked his aunt to “work,” Conrad portrays how Marlow was not really willing to do this. “Then- would you believe it?- I tried the women. I, Charlie Marlow, set the women to work- to get a job. Heavens! Well, you see, the notion drove me” (Conrad 23). After being rejected by many people he turns to his aunt for help. She soon gets an appointment for Marlow and though this is a “good” thing for him it can somewhat be viewed as a progressive stance for women during this time.
Unlike many men back in time, I think that Marlow understands some of the good qualities in women. Unlike many men who disliked the idea of women getting a job and women being treated equal to men, Conrad writes how women can be in help and work. "Its queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in a world of their own, and there had never been anything like it, and never can be” (Conrad 28). Still the fact that women had limitations during this time did make Marlow`s aunt kind of stand out in the book.
Conrad’s Aunt is a model for Marlow’s Aunt, who is really caring woman. In the story of Heart of Darkness, Marlow’s Aunt positively supports Marlow to get a job. “She(Marlow’s Aunt) wrote: “It will be delightful. I am ready to do anything, anything for you…” She was determined to make no end of fuss to get me appointed skipper of a river steamboat, if such was my fancy.”(pg23)
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I think Conrad is somewhat identifying the power that women have. Though, in the book he also mentions about his Aunt, who actually is a little bit different than other women. This is in a positive way, and he described her as a caring woman who is stronger comparing to other women. “I(Marlow) had an aunt, a dear enthusiastic soul.”(pg23) Marlow also respects her, who has more strength and a power than other women, but he obviously mentions the different between man and a woman.
Mai Ikushima
ReplyDeleteB1
Conrad gives Marlow’s Aunt no name and treats her like a minor character in The Heart of Darkness, just like any other male author of his time. However, unlike others, he portrays the power that women truly have, the strings that they pull amidst ignorant men and their oppression.
I had an aunt, a dear enthusiastic soul. She wrote: ‘…I know the wife of a very high personage in the Administration, and also a man who has lots of influence with,’ &c., &c. She was determined to make no end of fuss to get me appointed skipper of a river steamboat, if such was my fancy. ‘I got my appointment – of course; and I got it very quick.
At first glance, this seems like a typical, prejudiced description of a woman, told from a man’s perspective. However, the true meaning is hidden behind Conrad’s delicate diction and syntax. “The wife of a very high personage in the Administration” means that this wife has a strong hold of her husband’s opinions and choices. She is capable or steering men towards her wants whenever necessary. Women’s power does not stay within the boundaries of holy matrimony. “I know…a man who has lots of influence,” means that the aunt, a normal woman of the time, knows how to pursue men in power to do her biddings. The final hint of women’s true power is hidden in the last phrase, “’I got my appointment – of course; and I got it very quick.” Not only did the Aunt get the task done, she got it done quickly. Any task involving many people can be done with slight influence, but without true power, nothing can be done quickly. This means that Conrad is hyper-aware of women’s authority, and is, perhaps, trying to start or help with the feminist movement by putting the underlying center of social gravity out in the open.
Marlow himself believes women to be naïve and incapable of achievement on their own “It’s queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in a world of their own, and there had never been anything like it, and never can be. It is too beautiful altogether, and if they were to set it up it would go to pieces before the first sunset.” (Conrad 21). With his chauvinistic mindset, Marlow felt somewhat desperate and degraded when he had to turn to his aunt, a woman, for help obtaining a job, something he, a man, could not do himself “Then- would you believe it? - I tried the women. I, Charlie Marlow, set the women to work- to get a job.” (Conrad 22/23).
ReplyDeleteIn depicting the dissatisfaction Marlow has towards a scenario where a man not only must resort to asking a woman for help, but also where the fate of his job lies in the hand of a woman, Conrad has identified the power that women frequently have; that is, incapable of holding any power to a man which in this case, was reversed. In this way, Marlow’s aunt could be considered a progressive, feminist stance.
Conrad illustrates Marlo's aunt, in the feminist perspective, almost in a contradicting way making his stand towards feminists fairly ambiguous. Conrad gives Marlo's aunt a pro-feminist role in the story in the sense that she is in a position to have enough power to provide Marlow with a decently prestigious Job. But, Conrad contradicts that anti-stereotypical tone entitled to Marlow's Aunt as she refers to the imperialistic abominations as “weaning those ignorant millions from their horrid ways”. All in all, I must say that the vibe presented is that Conrad's illustration pf Marlow's aunt is likely to get the feminists all rallied up.
ReplyDeleteMarlow's aunt is depicted as a progressive feminist stance by Conrad, due to her rare capability as a woman in her time to hold such authority and influence on men and society. She is an exception from other women, since she knew "the wife of a very high personage in the administration, and also a man who has lots of influence with &c., &c."(Conrad, 23). Conrad acknowledged the existence of a limited number of female authority figures, and their power. Therefore in the story Conrad describes Marlow getting the job easily through his aunt's power. "I got my appointment-of course; and I got it very quick" (Conrad, 23).
ReplyDeleteAlthough Marlow's aunt plays a crucial role in helping Marlow gain a job as a skipper of a river steamboat, she is given no name and is referred to as just an aunt in the novel by Conrad. Therefore, you can infer that Conrad is anti-feminist and believes that women in general plays a minor role in society. Marlow and Conrad himself was disappointed and disgusted when he had to resort to his aunt to get a job. "Would you believe it? I tried the women. I, Charlie Marlow set the women to work- to get a job" (Conrad, 23). The tone Conrad used to describe this situation clearly implies that he viewed women's power to be subordinate to men, always.
Conrad doesn’t set Marlow’s aunt as a remarkable character in the story, but if an extreme feminist who would do anything to find a minute thing that relates to women and tackle it is there to read this book, she will be satisfied how Conrad pictures this aunt. She’s got enough power to offer a job to the male main character. “I, Charlie Marlow, set the women to work – to get a job.” (Conrad 23) describes that Marlow is even sneaking to the aunt for a job. In the letter from the aunt to Marlow, she writes “I know the wife of a very high personage in the Administration, and also a man who has lots of influence with.”.(Conrad 23) I thought this not only shows the aunt’s power – because she has high position acquaintances in the society – but also the general view of Conrad toward women. The way it depicts the high personage wife and highly influencing man makes you feel like the woman doesn’t fall behind or anything. The wife is another female figure that has as much power as men. All of these shows how much progressive stance that Conrad had as far as the view of women is concerned.
ReplyDeleteConrad's opinion on a women's role in society is quite ambiguous; He seems to portray women with respect, yet acknowledges their place in society with the old-fashioned stereotypical idea that women must be neat, be motherly and the 'fine wife'. ("...in a room that most soothingly looked just as you would expect a lady's drawing-room to look." pg 28) However, I would say that Marlow's aunt-figure would be viewed as a progressive stance for females, especially during the era that he wrote this novel. Although unnamed except for the title 'his aunt', much like those listening to Marlow's tale, the aunt has enough power and authority in what would be considered a 'man's society' - enough to arrange him an appointment almost immediately after he requests for her help. This would please feminists, for the aunt is portrayed with equal, if not more power and capability than the men portrayed in the story.
ReplyDeleteHowever, on the other hand, when reading closely, perhaps Conrad's male pride kicks in, for he briefly mentions how Marlow was slightly embarrassed at the fact that he depended on a female to get his job, and how Marlow becomes tired of his aunt's nagging while having tea with her. This may be due to enhance the portrayal of Marlow's male dignity, or due to his own opinions on how women may act.
The lines "It's queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in a world of their own, and there had never been anything like it, and never can be. It is too beautiful altogether, and if they were to set it up it would go to pieces before the first sunset. Some confounded fact we men have been living contentedly with ever since the day of creation would start up and knock the whole thing over." (pg 28) seems to express Conrad's views on the female population. It seems as though he views men and women to be figuratively living in completely different worlds, although he respects the differences. His portrayal of the aunt (and perhaps the female secretaries) seems to reflect this idea, a typical opinion seen from both men and women throughout time.
Women frequently have power that they are not accredited for. Many times, they are the ones with real power, as opposed to men. Conrad is trying to point this concept out when he speaks about his aunt. Many times, women work behind the scenes. And many times, women are not given credit for their accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteConrad and his aunt are very close. They have a good relationship and his aunt wants him to follow his dreams. Conrad portrays his aunt as being somewhat average in rank and influence. He even put her to work for him. When Conrad's mother wrote to Conrad, she said, "I am ready to do anything, anything for you. It is a glorious idea. I know the wife of a very high personage in the Administration, and also a man who has lots of influence with" (Conrad 23). Later, when Conrad said goodbye to his aunt, Conrad states, "In the course of these confidences it became quite plain to me I had been represented to the wife of the high dignitary and goodness knows to how many more people besides, as an exceptional and gifted creature - a piece of good fortune for the Company - a man you don't get hold of every day" (Conrad 28). Both of these passages prove that Conrad's aunt held authority and knew people who were highly influential. So, despite Conrad's thoughts about his aunt being an average citizen, he was proven otherwise when she was able to get him the job.
Marlow’s aunt is depicted as a knowledgeable older woman in this section of the Heart of Darkness. The way in which she is referred to has an air of respect, however with a slight tone of curious surprise as though Marlow was only just discovering the capabilities of women. “Then-would you believe it? –I tried the women. I, Charlie Marlow, set the women to work – to get a job. Heavens!” (Conrad 22/23) This tone of surprise in his writing makes it seem as though Marlow had just discovered women and that women are capable of accomplishing tasks, some of which seem to be a task some men cannot even accomplish. Marlow’s aunt represents the feministic power which went unnoticed by the men in this story, she accomplished a task that a man was incapable of doing, this suggests that in some ways, she is more powerful than him. Conrad shows this woman as a powerful figure in this scenario, a fairly significant doing I believe seeing as up until this point there have been no significant female characters, as a matter of fact I believe there have been no female roles up until Marlow’s aunt.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Marlow’s aunt is shown as a powerful female figure in the novel, she is not shown as a sententious woman in the least bit in my opinion, she is merely a statement within the dialogue saying that women are capable but not lots more so than men.
With the quote, “It’s queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in a world all their own, and there had never been anything like it, and never can be, It is too beautiful altogether, and if they were to set it up it would go to pieces before the first sunset. Some confounded fact we men have been living contentedly with ever since the day of creation would start up and knock the whole thing over (Conrad 28)”. It is evident that Victorian era Africa was definitely a chauvinistic society. I think this quote emphasizes the fact that women were regarded as petty and disposable, seemed to live in this make believe world where reality was bent. However, upon seeing this quote, I also came to realize that it sheds light on the naivety of men in the particular time period. They see these women as background, yet it was the women who were feeding them, cleaning their clothes, and taking care of their children, all whilst having an actual occupation.
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