Assignment # 5
DUE:
A BLOCK: READ PAGES 65-73 AND RESPOND TO PROMPTS 1-4 BY WEDNESDAY, 10/20
B BLOCK: READ PAGES 65-73 AND RESPOND TO PROMPTS 1-4 BY THURSDAY, 10/21
1. What do you believe has become the real reason for Marlow heading up river?
2. To what end do you believe Conrad contrasted the river and land with the following quotation? "The current ran smooth and swift, but a dumb immobility sat on the banks" (67). In your response, pay particular attention to his diction.
3. Explain the irony in the following quotation. "The rest of the world was nowhere. Gone, disappeared; swept off without leaving a whisper or a shadow behind" (68). Make sure that you are aware of the context from which the quotation is taken before you respond.
4. Why does Marlow believe the cries, "violent as they had been," were not hostile(73)? What does this say, according to Marlow, about how the native Africans truly felt about the invaders?
Assignment # 6
Answer the following prompts in well structured paragraphs. The paragraphs should be between 4-6 sentences in length and be concise and succinct. You must incorporate ONE quotation in your response and use MLA Format to cite this quotation.
DUE:
A BLOCK: READ PAGES 73-90 AND RESPOND TO PROMPTS 5-7 BY FRIDAY, 10/22
B BLOCK: READ PAGES 73-90 AND RESPOND TO PROMPTS 5-7 BY FRIDAY, 10/22
5. What does Kurtz write for the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs? What is his view? How should the whites, according to Kurtz, approach the natives?
6. Describe the Harlequin. What does harlequin mean?
7. According to the Harlequin, why did the natives attack?
Throughout the Heart of Darkness, Marlow’s business mission to bring the Nellie up the river turns into a mission of his own personal interest to meet a man named Kurtz. Marlow first hears of Kurtz through overhearing a conversation about him and is immediately intrigued by him. Marlow continues to overhear conversations of him “They had been talking about Kurtz” (Conrad 56), yet his knowledge of him is suppressed, as nobody will be straight with Marlow about Kurtz. For these reasons Marlow is driven into an immense curiosity over Kurtz which I believe has become the primary reason for Marlow’s heading up the river.
ReplyDeleteBanks are typically thought of as being loud and alive, busy with noises from animals and other wildlife. However, at that moment the banks had an unnatural quietness to them that to Marlow seemed unnatural “It was not sleep – it seemed unnatural, like a state of trance. Not the faintest sound of any kind could be heard” (Conrad 67). The eerie silence of the banks arose suspicions amongst the men that something was wrong and might happen and with that the men become more alert. Through this, Conrad has contrasted the eerie, silent, immobility of the banks with the moving, aware, swiftness of the boat and the river.
The men had just heard loud, horrifying shrieks coming from the banks “to me it seemed as though the mist itself had screamed, so suddenly, and apparently from all sides at once, did this tumultuous and mournful uproar arise” (Conrad 68). Hearing them the men then perceived danger. However, with the thick mist of the fog making it impossible to see, they could not do much to ready themselves for it. All the men could see at this point and all they had for safety was themselves and the steamship they were on making it somewhat ironic that the danger they had perceived and feared would disappear so suddenly into nothingness.
To Marlow the cries sounded more sad than angry and aggressive. The sad and non-threatening of the cries led Marlow to believe that were more for protective reasons rather than out of anger and hostility “The action was very far from being aggressive it was not even defensive, in the usual sense: it was undertaken under the stress of desperation, and in its essence was purely protective” (Conrad 73). It is understandable that when a person feels that their home is under any threat that they would in some way express their fear of such and try to protect their home. Marlow feels this leading him to believe that the native Africans felt as though the Europeans invaders had done and were going to do more harm than good.
Though Marlow is oblivious to the fact in the beginning of their trip, Marlow becomes "aware that that [seeing Kurtz] was exactly what I [Marlow] has been looking forward to" (Conrad 78). From conversations Marlow has overheard, Kurtz became a voice that presented itself to Marlow as Kurtz "being a gifted creature... [which was] the pulsating stream of light, or the deceitful flow from the heard of an impenetrable darkness" (Conrad 79), which triggered and intensified his interest for Kurtz. Indeed, his disappointment was great when he had thought that he would not see Kurtz anymore after the attack of the natives.
ReplyDelete2. The quote helps contrast the state the bank was in just a few moments ago: "apparently from all sides at once, did this tumulous and mournful uproar rise" (Conrad 68). The river and its bank is now very still in quiet, as if the uproar has taken its life away. The bank and the current are personified in the quote. The banks is said to sit dumbly without any movements. This emphasizes the stubborn quality (?) of the bank which contrasts the light, smooth feelings the readers infer from the quote.
3. In the night before, "not the faintest sound of any kind could be heard . You looked on amazed, and began to suspect yourself of being deaf - then the night came suddenly, and struck you blind as well" (Conrad 67). Even though the loud cry makes it sound as if a big change had occurred in the situation they were in, nothing has really changed, for they have been in a state where their sight and hearing was meaningless to them.
4. Marlow describes the cry to be "not even defensive ... it was undertaken under the stress of desperation, and in its essence was purely protective" (Conrad 73). From this description, I perceived the natives were in a situation where they were somewhat like a cornered animal that attacks from excess stress and fear. Perhaps they feared that the Europeans were going to take over and destroy their homeland to a place of darkness, when it used to be the darkest place on earth.
1) I believe that the real reason Marlow is traveling up the river is because of his curiosity about Kurtz. Marlow has been forced to formulate an opinion of Kurtz based on secondhand accounts; this gives Marlow a sense of possibility. Marlow said, "Towards the evening of the second day we judged ourselves about eight miles from Kurtz's station. I wanted to push on...Nevertheless, I was annoyed beyond expression at the delay..." (Conrad 67). Marlow has a certain obsession about Kurtz; this obsession escalates when he realizes that behind the myth of this mysterious figure there is a real, substantial person. Marlow wants to talk with this unpredictable man who has created so much hype in the European community.
ReplyDelete2) Conrad said, "The current ran smooth and swift, but a dumb immobility sat on the banks" (67). This is contrasting the river and land to a large extent. After stopping the boat in the middle of the river, Marlow made that observation. The banks were eerily silent and immobile; it seemed like the land was in a trance. Meanwhile, the river current was smooth and comforting. The river was comforting and natural, but the land was ominous and still. Conrad said that a dumb immobility sat on the banks; this shows his bitterness towards the uncanny nature of the land.
3) While on his journey to find Kurtz, Marlow observed, "The rest of the world was nowhere. Gone, disappeared; swept off without leaving a whisper or a shadow behind" (68). The fog was so thick that all Marlow could see was the outline of the boat and a strip of water. Marlow's observation is ironic because there is no possible way that the world could disappear. The fog made Marlow feel isolated because he could barely see his surroundings (the world).
4) Upon hearing the cries of a group of native Africans, Marlow said, "Unexpected, wild, and violent as they had been, they had given me an irresistible impression of sorrow" (Conrad 73). Marlow felt that the momentary sighting of his ship caused the native Africans to be filled with sorrow and grief. Marlow believes that the natives do not like Europeans and that they are sad because they are invading their homeland.
Nika Koda
ReplyDeleteMarlow may have been interested in Klutz. The rumors and the lank of information may have tickled his curiosity. To see an unknown body, and unknown person that he wishes to meet, may have been his desire to go up stream. "'I tell you,' he cried, 'this man has enlarged my mind.'" (Conrad, 54). This is what Harlequin told to Marlow. “But his soul was mad. Being alone in the wilderness, it had looked within itself and, by heavens I tell you, it had gone mad" (Conrad , 66). As you can see Marlow did find something interesting after meeting klutz.
I am going to take this in a different direction, so sorry if I am wrong. A river is always moving, wither it is upwards, or downwards. Usually rivers slightly go down to make it flow. I have a feeling this meant that the river is always moving, and always working to go to somewhere, a goal for an instance. But the bank will always watch what the river would do; with out interference the bank would sit there and do nothing. For instance, The River is the people who try to change, and the bank is the people who don’t want to change. “The offing was barred by a black bank of clouds, and the tranquil waterway leading to the uttermost ends of the earth flowed somber under an overcast sky, seemed to lead into the heart of an immense darkness” (Conrad, 100).
"The rest of the world was nowhere. Gone, disappeared; swept off without leaving a whisper or a shadow behind" (Conrad, 68). That they experienced, was nothing compared to what they felt. Nothing they looked, heard, felt had no difference to what they lived in. The numbed emotion or corrupted senses show no humane aspect, but to only have an inhumane reaction towards the event. Nothing changed.
They must be sad, and no more. The sorrow is over whelmed by the European invaders that show no respect. The fear of what Europeans may do to them might have been the main reason why they were scared. Invaders that may have been a huge threat to what they have protected for the past hundreds of years. May have been destroyed in a blink of an eye. "violent as they had been," were not hostile(Conrad, 73)?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete1. I believe that Kurtz is the object of Marlow’s quest. During Marlows` stay in Africa he meets many people and through them, hears many things about him.“Then he began assuring, assuring me Mr Kurtz was the best agent he had,and exceptional man.. anxiety” (Conrad 43). Many of the people mention him in their conversations which make Marlow start to feel curious of what kind of being he is. At the same time no one ever really talks about him straightforwardly and there is some sort of uneasiness that is resembled.“I had heard enough about it too- God knows! Yet somehow it didnt bring any image with it- no more than if I had been told an angel or a fiend was
ReplyDeletein there" (Conrad 49).
2. I believe that Conrad contrasted the river and the land to give us readers an uneasy feeling and show how the place“seemed unnatural, like a state of trance" (Conrad 67). It also gives us a mood of danger or caution. Conrad uses personification in this quote and through this shows the unusual and mysterious nature of Africa.
3. Marlow and the crew hear a “muffled rattle, a cry, a very loud cry" (Conrad 68), which leaved the crew with anxiety of danger. Still due to the thick fog the crew and marlow cannot see anything making Marlow feel like“the rest of the world was nowhere” (Conrad 68). This is ironic since their is no possible way for the rest of the world to disappear. I believe that Marlow felt this way since he could hardly see anything around him. At the same time the crew is in a state of anxiety for danger and yet theycannot do anything since they cannot see anything around them except for the steamer the crew were on.
When Marlow hears the cries he says, “Unexpected, wild, an violent as they
had been they had given me and irresistible impression of sorrow”(Conrad 73). I believe that Marlow thought that the cries from the natives who from sadness and fear. Seeing the ship of the Europeans I believe that the natives were in fear and sadness of the Europeans invading their lands and taking their homeland.“The glimpse of the steamboat had for some reason filled those savages with unrestrained grief" (Conrad 73).
1. The real reason that Marlow was heading up the river was that the eagerness to meet Kurtz. “I couldn’t have been more disgusted if I had travelled all this for the sole purpose of talking with Mr. Kurtz.” (Conrad 79) I wondered the reason why he wanted to see Kurtz so much even though he was a really evil employer, but I think that is also the reason why Marlow wanted to see him so bad, although Marlow denied that that is not the point. “Hadn’t I been told in all the tones of jealousy and admiration that he had collected, bartered, swindled, or stolen more ivory than all the other agents together.” (Conrad 79)
ReplyDelete2. I believe Conrad contrasted the river and the land to give the image vivider. As usual, Marlow’s diction is a very detailed thought, why a dumb immobility sat on the banks while there is very fast going river is beside it. “The living trees, lashed together by the creepers and every living bush of the undergrowth, might have been changed into stone, even to the slenderest twig, to the lightest leaf.” (Conrad 67) He even thought that living trees on the banks would have been shifted into stone since they are immobile.
3. In my opinion, there are two reasons that the quotation is ironical. First is that it is not possible for the rest of the world to be gone, second, there was a difference between whites and blacks. “It was very curious to see the contrast of expressions of the white men and of the black fellows of our crew, who were as much strangers …… The whites, of course greatly discomposed, had besides a curious look of being painfully shocked by such an outrageous row. The others …… their faces were essentially quiet.” (Conrad 69) Although the accident seemed like as dreadful as disappearance of the world to whites, but blacks didn’t feel that way.
4. Marlow was finally aware of the fact that Europeans did more harm than good to Africans unconsciously through imperialism which is to take all the advantages from weak countries by imitation of help. Once he found out, he couldn’t bear that because the way they made noises with cries had given him the impression of extreme grief. “But what made the idea of attack inconceivable to me was the nature of the noise – of the cries we had heard.” (Conrad 73)
1. The real reason for Marlow heading up the river was the curiosity toward Kurtz. Since he heard rumors about Kurtz from the manager, he felt that he wanted to meet him. “I had plenty of time for meditation, and now and then I would give some thought to Kurtz.”(pg.55 Marlow) And although he was not very interested, he thought about Kurtz, and started to head up the river to meet him.
ReplyDelete2. "The current ran smooth and swift, but a dumb immobility sat on the banks" (67) In this quote, the “smooth and swift” describes the river, and the “dumb immobility” describes the land. I think Conrad contrasted the river and land with the quote above to tell the reader how the situation or the setting looked like. Since Conrad used detailed words and example, he was able to how the river and the land looked like.
3. "The rest of the world was nowhere. Gone, disappeared; swept off without leaving a whisper or a shadow behind." (pg.68) In this quote, there is a part that says “Gone, disappeared” which is pretty irony. This is because there is no way that the world will be gone, and disappear. I think this is also one of the way Conrad describes the situation. When Marlow said this quote, he could only see steamer, and said that the world was nowhere. “What we could see was just the steamer we were on,” (pg.68)
4. Marlow believe the cries, "violent as they had been," were not hostile(pg.73). This is because he felt sad about the Africans invaded by the Europeans. “they had given me an irresistible impression of sorrow.” (pg.73 Marlow)
Obviously, the native Africans truly disagreed about the invaders from the Europe. Since they thought the Europeans will destroy them, they feared them, and tried to go against them.
1. All the publicity that surrounds Kurtz along with the rumors Marlow hears about him from many of the men he encounters in Africa, compels Marlow to want to meet Kurtz in person; making Kurtz the primary objective for him to head up the river. Kurtz is widely discussed by many men, and everyone seems to agree that he is a successful ivory agent, which appeals to Marlow. When Marlow overhears his uncle and the manager conspiring and discussing about Kurtz, “Look at the influence that man must have. Is it not frightful?...The climate may do away with this difficulty for you” (Conrad 56), he becomes more curious about Kurtz, and starts analyzing what he heard, and therefore wanting to discover for himself who Kurtz really is like. Now that Marlow has discovered the true natures of both Europe and Africa, Kurtz is all that is left mysterious for him.
ReplyDelete2. Conrad contrasted the river and land stating, "The current ran smooth and swift, but a dumb immobility sat on the banks" (Conrad 67), in which he implies how natural and less threatening the the river was compared to the banks which was unnaturally motionless and intimidating. Conrad personifies the banks as being dumb, and immobile as if “The living trees lashed together by the creepers and every living bush of the undergrowth might have been turned into stone, even to the slenderest twig, to the lightest leaf” (Conrad 67). The banks were much more unreliable and dangerous to the men at that point being so calm and “unpredictable”, than the usually more dangerous, treacherous river.
3. Marlow said, “the rest of the world was nowhere, as far as our eyes and ears were concerned” (Conrad, 68) but this is ironic since the world can not disappear, and that the eyes do see the world, it is just that the fog had brought down a “white shutter” blocking the view of the men. “A very loud cry as of infinite desolation soared slowly in the opaque air” (Conrad 68), shows how the men do hear the sounds, but they can not do anything whatsoever because they can’t see their surroundings. This ironic situation indicates how the environment hasn’t changed since yesterday when the jungle was eerily calm and no one could hear a sound although they could see the surroundings. The men could perceive danger but they were powerless, nonetheless.
4. Marlow believes that the cries of the native Africans weren’t hostile because they were merely a form of a precautionary act to prevent the Europeans from taking over their land or boundary. Marlow said, “ Unexpected, wild, and violent as they had been, they had given me an impression of sorrow” (Conrad 73), the natives just wanted to protect themselves, not start a conflict with the invaders. The natives felt sadness when they saw the Europeans because they just wanted to be left alone, undisturbed, and keep their land without any form of physical fighting.
1. Eventually Marlow's sole purpose for heading up river becomes meeting with Kurtz. As he travels upriver, Marlow and his company continuously make "progress towards Kurtz" (Conrad 66). Towards the end of his stay at the Station, Marlow becomes extremely curious about Kurtz, whom Marlow hears about all the time. Even during the travel, Marlow envisions the meeting with Kurtz, implying his eager urge to meet that man.
ReplyDelete2. Conrad's description, "The current ran smooth and swift, but a dumb immobility sat on the banks" (Conrad 67) seems to make huge contrast between river and the land by juxtaposing opposite diction for each one. The liveliness of river is compared to the ominous stillness of the land, and I believe this might foreshadow peril and mortality that are taking place on the land.
3. Probably the sentence "The rest of the world was nowhere. Gone, disappeared; swept off without leaving a whisper or a shadow behind" (Conrad 68) is ironic, because Marlow and others on board, although had no vision to see through fog, still worry about the attacks of the natives on the banks. In the state of not being able to sense any other existence, they can still sense and become unsettled over the possibility of danger. If the world had seemed to have completely disappeared, they shall not worry over the invasions from the rest of the world. At least, they shall feel assured in my opinion, surrounded by the fog that isolate everything from everything else.
4. Marlow describes the cry as "Unexpected, wild, and violent as they had been, they had given me an irresistible impression of sorrow" (Conrad 73). It was the natives' grief that convinces Marlow to feel safe. Perhaps, he indicates the natives' immense, yet somewhat apathetic sorrow over the invasion. The natives express their grief of not being able to prevent the invasions. Rather, they are forced to look on the situation.
5. Kurtz writes an eloquent seventeen page report for the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs. One particularly interesting excerpt from his report is when Kurtz states, "Exterminate all the brutes!" (Conrad 84). These "brutes are the native Africans; Kurtz wants to get rid of them so he can have all of the wealth and ivory. Later in the report, he writes that whites "must necessarily appear to them [savages] in the nature of supernatural beings - we approach them with the might as of a deity" (Conrad 73). Kurtz belives that the whites need to appear godly and regal before the native Africans, that way, the Africans will do whatever the Europeans ask of them.
ReplyDelete6. A harlequin can mean a ragamuffin of demonical character, or an acrobatic character, dressed in a particoloured costume. According to Marlow, the "glamorous" Russian trader that beckoned Marlow to the shore "looked like a harlequin" (Conrad 87). The trader was dressed in brown and patches of color, and had a fair and boyish face. Marlow observed, "His face was like the autumn sky, overcast one moment and bright the next" (Conrad 88). This Russian trader is loyal to Kurtz and said that Kurtz has enlightened his mind. He was the one who had lived in the abandoned house Marlow saw for two years.
7. According to the Russian trader, the reason the natives attacked was because they didn't want Kurtz to leave. The trader said, "They don't want him to go" (Conrad 89). The "him" in the Russian's statement is Kurtz. The natives did not want anyone to take Kurtz away from them.
5. Marlow describes Kurtz's report for the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs as an eloquent piece of writing. Kurtz, throughout his writing, clearly indicates his belief in the whites' superiority over the native savages. According to Kurtz, the whites "'must necessarily appear to them [savages] in the nature of supernatural beings - we approach them with the might as of a deity'" (Conrad 83). The cause Kurtz believes in is the consummate values in civilization and the duty of the civilized ones to "'Exterminate all the brutes'" (Conrad 84).
ReplyDelete6. The harlequin is a kind of jester, often in pantomime, who wears particular costume with many different fancy colors. The Russian who serves Kurtz is described as a harlequin due to his particolored clothing and capricious, yet friendly personality. "His clothes had been made of some stuff that was brown holland probably, but it was covered with patches all over, with bright patches, blue, red, and yellow" (Conrad 87). This colorful garment of the Russian probably reminds Marlow of the territory map of Africa he has seen in the office before he left for Africa.
7. According to the harlequin, the Russian at the station, the reason behind the natives' attack was their disapprobation of Kurtz leaving them. When curious Marlow inquires of the previous attack, the Russian explains as above and adds on "this man has enlarged my mind" (Conrad 90). As the whole conversation has been revolving around Kurtz, the man must allude to Kurtz. For some reason, Kurtz's immense influence isn't only limited to the pilgrims, but also to the indigenous people, to the point where they grieve over his possible depart.
1. Marlow's primary reason for traveling up the river, deep into the wilderness was "to recover what was left of the body" (Conrad 23), the body of a certain captain. However, as time progresses, Marlow overhears about a man named Kurtz, and becomes deeply interested in his mysterious character, mentioning how he is excited to meet him. Although slightly shaken by his surroundings as he ventures into the forest, he states "we crept on, towards Kurtz", which expresses how his focus now is set on meeting this man.
ReplyDelete2. I think this line expresses his slight desperation to meet Kurtz. He states that "I (he) was annoyed beyond expression at the delay" (Conrad 67). Therefore, the 'dumb immobility' most likely refers to the crew resting on the banks, and how he longs to be like the river "smooth and swift" (Conrad 67), on his way to Kurtz.
3. This line seems to be ironic since just the previous night, he said his surroundings were still, as though it had been "changed into stone, even to the slenderest twig, to the lightest leaf" (Conrad 67). Considering that, it is strange how that firm and deeply rooted world 'disappeared' without "a whisper or a shadow behind" (Conrad 68). It is simply his fear and panic that causes him to be heavily 'blinded' by the fog.
4. Although the Natives must be furious for the way they are being treated by the Europeans, they seem to have their priorities and moral understandings about the differences between these two races that the Europeans have yet to learn. Marlow mentions how starved they must be, and how they were "big powerful men" (Conrad 70), capable of defeating the crew. However, for some 'unfathomable enigma', they restrained themselves, fighting their hunger, and recognizing the fact that they too would be lost in the fog if they dare left the bank. Their cries sound sorrowful, for they are allowing the men to live, and ignoring their starvation.
5. Kurtz's report is 'beautiful' - he wrote something in favor of the Societies wishes, yet as eloquently written as it is, it stretches out too far in the extreme. Although the Europeans are keen on 'civilizing' the Natives, Kurtz goes as far as to state that they "must...appear to them (savages) in the nature of supernatural beings" (Conrad 83), indicating how his intentions have gone as far as to wanting to play the role of 'God' over the Natives.
6. The Russian Marlow encounters is dressed in vibrant colors, has a boyish face, and an easy smile, reminding him of a harlequin - somewhat of a jester. The man's bouncy nature, "the smiles vanished, and he shook his head...then he brightened up" (Conrad 87), may also be reasons why Marlow thinks that the Russian resembles a harlequin.
7. As the Russian mentions how the Natives are "simple people" (Conrad 88) and how "they meant no harm" (Conrad 88), we see how the Russian is sticking up for them and how he has an understanding with them. Therefore, when he states that the attack was simply because "they didn't want to let him go" (Conrad 89), it becomes clear to us that the Natives attacked the crew due to their fear of Kurtz being taken away from them.
１． Throughout the whole of the Heart of Darkness Conrad mentions the mysterious Kurtz. “On my asking who Mr Kurtz was, he said he was a first-class agent; and seeing my disappointment at this information, he added slowly, laying down his pen, ‘He is a very remarkable person.’” (Conrad 37). Magnificent things are said about Kurtz however no matter how much Marlow hears about this elite Kurtz he seems to never show signs of satisfaction. Marlow’s hunger for more knowledge about Kurtz is what seems to be feeding his eagerness to travel up the river rather than his previous reason, to simply follow the course of his mission.
ReplyDelete２． Conrad personified the current calling it “…a dumb immobility…” (Conrad 67) making us picture it as a being or a figure on the land rather than the land around the water. The fact that the water is the factor that is personified makes me feel as though the water has a greater significance. “It was not sleep - it seemed unnatural, like a state of trance.” (Conrad 67) followed the personification of the river giving it a more eerie presence in the scene by yet again describing it as a being. Conrad also creates life around the mentioned river, “The living trees…” (Conrad 67), creating yet more contrast to the silence of the bank.
３． It is ironic how Marlow and the other characters were in such a tranquil yet eerie state where nothing could be heard “Not the faintest sound of any kind could be heard.” (Conrad 67). However, coming from a scene of total and utter silence, they are then thrown into one in which shrieking is heard “…a cry, a very loud cry, as of infinite desolation, soared slowly in the opaque air.” (Conrad 68). Then the reader is thrown back into a desolate scene, “The rest of the world was nowhere, as far as our eyes and ears were concerned.” (Conrad 68). This sudden switching between silence and shrieks and loosing senses such as sound and sight make the end scene ironic.
４． Marlow shows his sympathetic side when describing the cries that he heard leading us to believe that Marlow himself, is beginning to believe that the Europeans are causing the natives pain and anguish as well as suffering and desperation for change. “They had not the fierce character boding of immediate hostile intention. Unexpected, wild, and violent as they had been they had given me an irresistible impression of sorrow.” (Conrad 73). The person who cried gave Marlow the impression of their sorrow and he seemed to feel pity for them, by recognizing their sadness and desperation. Conrad describes it as being “…far from being aggressive – it was not even defensive…” (73), highlighting the lack of bad intentions the natives really have and how much they are suffering because of the invasion of the Europeans. The natives seem to be past the point of anger or rebellion, they’ve experienced too much ache, and are now in a state of desperation for change, something recognized by Marlow all though one cry in the desolate foggy air.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete5. Kurtz writes a 17 paged, ‘Beautiful’ report to the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs. Marlow describes this report as “eloquence, but too high- strung” (Conrad 83). In this report Kurtz writes that the whites “ must necessarily appear to them [ savages] in the nature of supernatural beings” (Conrad 83). He believes and states that the whites should be god like and superior over the natives. In this way he states that the whites (Europeans) can rule over the Natives and gain "power" over them.
ReplyDelete8. The definition of harlequin is a mute character (doesnt exactly have to be mute) usually in a pantomime that is typically masked and dressed in a diamond patterned costume. In the Heart of Darkness one of the characters who is a Russian is expressed as a Harlequin from his looks. “His clothes had been made of some stuff that was brown holland probably, but it was covered with patches...patching had been done” (Conrad 87). Looking at the appearance of the russian character, Marlow connects him with the Harlequin.
7. According to the Harlequin the natives attacked because they didnt want Kurtz to leave them. They attacked since they believed that the crew would take Kurtz away. This shows us how much of a being Kurtz can be and how important he can be for the pilgrims along with the natives too. The Russian mentions how “they meant no harm” (Conrad 88), which indicate that the natives actually did not mean any harm to the crew, but just was in fear and grieve since they believed that Kurtz would be taken away from them by the Europeans.
5. Kurtz's been dipicted as a really harsh employer who doesn't treat his employees well who are Africans and just takes labors from them. Even Marlow who admires him deep inside his mind felt akward when Kurtz said "My ivory." (Conrad 81) Not strange to say, he cries "Exterminate all the brutes!" up into the sky. (Conrad 84) He thinks that Europeans "must necessarily appear to them [savages] in the nature of supernatural beings - we approach them with the might as of a deity." (Conrad 83) He knows that whites are not supernatural beings, so that is why he wants to "appeal" like that to them.
ReplyDelete6. In my opinion, harloquen is a word that reminds me of a hippie person, although hippie came later than this time period. First of all, he is a really benign person who "all smiles" and his clothes had been made of some stuff with "bright patches, blue, red, and yellow", and "coloured binding round his jacket". (Conrad 87)
7. On page 89, according to the convesation between Marlow and the harlequin, it becomes very apparent that natives attacked whites. "'I had lots of trouble to keep these people off,' he(the Russian) said. 'Did they want to kill you?' I(Marlow) said." (Conrad 89) However, unlike Marlow, the harlequin has a deep understanding of Africans as he emphasized that they are simple people and ment no harm. The only reason why Africans attacked them was because they "don't want him(Kurtz) to go." (Conrad 89)
Kurtz’ writing for the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs is described by Marlow as being eloquent “it was eloquent, vibrating with eloquence” (Conrad 83), something that seems to be highly valued by Marlow (or Conrad). However, despite its eloquence, Marlow admits, was probably written shortly before his “nerves went wrong” (Conrad 83). In his writing, Kurtz reveals his need for absolute power over the savages and that in order to obtain it they must appear to the savages as supernatural beings ‘must necessarily appear to them [savages] in the nature of supernatural beings’ (Conrad 83). Through this Kurtz uncovers his drastic and unconventional methods for obtaining wealth and ivory in Africa, which stands as a suggestion to his insanity.
ReplyDeleteA harlequin is a comedic character generally dressed in bright colors much like a clown. Upon arriving at the station, Marlow sees a man who in his opinion resembles a harlequin because of the way he was dressed “He looked like a harlequin. His clothes had been made of some stuff that was brown Holland probably, but it was covered with patches all over, with bright patches, blue, red, and yellow” (Conrad 87). The man later introduces himself as a Russian trader who worked in Africa under a Dutch company. The Russian trader’s young giddy nature furthered his resemblance to a harlequin “His face was lit like the autumn sky, overcast one moment and bright the next” (Conrad 88).
When Marlow tells the Russian trader of his attack, the Russian trader remains optimistic and explains to Marlow that the attackers ‘meant no harm’ (Conrad 88). Marlow is skeptical of the Russian trader’s optimism who has to then assure him that they are ‘simple people’ (Conrad 88). Still unconvinced of the attackers harmlessness and innocent intentions, Marlow asks why they attacked in the first place ‘why did they attack us?’ (Conrad 89). The Russian trader then explains that the attackers attacked because they feared the loss of Kurtz as if Marlow and his crew were going to take him away “He hesitated, then said shamefacedly, ‘They don’t want him to go’” (Conrad 89).
5. Marlow says that the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs that Kurtz wrote was eloquent. “It was eloquent, vibrating with eloquence, but too high-strung”. (pg.83) in this 17pages of writing, he says that the natives should respect and fear the white people. “‘must necessarily appear to them [savages] in the nature of supernatural being.” (pg.83) Also, he thought that the whites should rule over and affect the natives. “‘By the simple exercise of our will we can exert a power for good practically unbounded,’” (pg.83)
ReplyDelete6. “His clothes had been made of some stuff that was brown Holland probably, but it was covered with patches all over, with bright patches, blue, red, and yellow,” (pg.87) Since the Russian trader wore a colorful patched clothing, Marlow reminded Harlequin. Harlequin is a character that is dressed up in clothing that is patched with colorful cloths. In this story, this trader serves Kurtz and respects him.
7. According to the Harlequin the natives attacked them because they didn't want Kurtz to leave them. “’Why did hey attack us?’ I pursued. He hesitated, then said shamefacedly, ‘They don’t want him to go.’”(pg.89)
Kurtz has written a report for the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs, which, according to Marlow, was "vibrating with with eloquence, but too high-strung" (Conrad 83). However, despite his high praises about Kurtz's writing, Marlow admits that the content of the report was "ominous" (Conrad 83). Kurtz states that the whites "'must necessarily appear to them [savages] in the nature of supreme beings - we [whites] approach them with the might as of a deity" (Conrad 83).
ReplyDeleteThe Harlequin is a cheerful fellow who has a "beardless, boyish face, very fair, no features to speak of, nose peeling, little blue eyes" (Conrad 87). Marlow refers to him as the Harlequin because of the way he was dressed: "his clothes had been made of some stuff that was brown holland probably, but it was covered with patches all over, with bright patches, blue, red, and yellow - patches on the back, patches on the front, patches on elbows, on knees" (Conrad 87). A harlequin is a humorous character in plays in theatres who wore clothes with bright diamond shaped patches, kind of like a clown.
According to the Harlequin, the natives were "simple people" who "meant no harm" (Conrad 88). However, Marlow, who was still not satisfied with the Harlequin's answer pursued with his wonders on why the natives attacked them. The Harlequin's answer took Marlow by surprise: "They [natives] didn't want him [Kurtz] to go" (Conrad 87).
5. Kurtz had written a report for the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs for the status of the natives in the region he was located. In his report he described whites as unquestionably superior to the natives, “He began with the argument that we whites, from the point of development we had arrived at, ‘must necessarily appear to them [savages] in the nature of supernatural beings…” (Conrad 83). Kurtz continues on in his report by extrapolating on by saying “…we approach them with the might as of a deity,” (Conrad 83). Kurtz’s looking down upon natives in such an “ominous” (Conrad 83) manner opens our eyes to another side of Kurtz’s yet to be discovered persona.
ReplyDelete6. A harlequin is similar to a jester, a comical character dressed in bright colors, a clown, a buffoon. The man on the shore of the station was described as looking like a harlequin due to his “bright patches, blue, red, and yellow – patches on the back, patches on front, patches on elbows, on knees; coloured binding round his jacket, scarlet edging…” (Conrad 87). Not only were his clothes harlequin-like but he was described as having the feature of one as well, “a beardless, boyish face, very fair, no frowns chasing each other over that open countenance like sunshine and shadow on a wind-swept plain.” (Conrad 87).
7. The Harlequin told Marlow that they did not attack Marlow and his “pilgrims” not because they wished to harm them personally, but more because they knew that Marlow was coming to replace Kurtz whom they did not wish to leave. When Marlow asked why they were attacked the Harlequin responded, “They don’t want him [Kurtz] to go.” (Conrad 89). This makes it seem as though even the natives, who Kurtz had spoke so lowly of, felt a kind of attachment, trust or respect for, causing them to feel resent towards his replacement and a kind of need or urge to stop the replacement.