This book is FILLED with dark, gloomy imagery and a somber tone. It is more evident in the beginning, with the author using the words "brooding gloom" multiple times. I believe this stress of gloom in the beginning of the story sets the pace for the rest of the story; I do not think it is going to get much cheerier sadly. While reading this it constantly reminds me of rain, because when I think of the word gloom I immediately think f rain and dark clouds. I feel like this affects how I read it because whenever the speaker is telling his story I already imagine it as a dark and rainy day due to the imagery laid out in the beginning of the story.
The random thorough description of the Romans is probably important, I put a sticky note by it because it didn't seem to fit with the flow of what was going on. That made me think that its going to come back somehow metaphorically or literally, which you won't know until you keep reading.
The descriptions of the completely malnourished slaves feeds into the gloomy imagery. You feel despair and hopelessness for these individuals while reading it. I feel the author used these descriptions to contrast the lifestyle of the accountant. The slavery imagery really adds tot he darkness of it all.
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI just noticed something about the phrase you quoted " brooding gloom." The repeated vowel sound is called assonance, and in this case the long oo sounds do also seem to emphasize the actual meaning of the phrase and the mood Conrad creates. Words are fun! Also I think you were right to sticky note the bit about the Romans. I think you will probably understand his purpose in including this bit of history as you continue reading.