The most striking feature of Conrad's writing is how it is so complex and contrasting. On the surface most would believe that the entire book is filled with gloom, and yes, that is a major part, but the readers can also see how Conrad puts his own prejudices and disillusionment of society into his work. The first page is a prime example of this complexity. Conrad uses "brooding" multiple times to explain a mirade of circumstances, but at the same time I can see his love affair with the sea and how it "bonds...men."
Conrad shows the naivete of the society in the turn of the twentieth century through Marlow. Marlow is one that cannot stop shifting like a child who can't sit still. Like a child telling an endless, unwanted story of their day, Marlow begins to explain a tale no one wanted to hear. He sees everything as an adventure and is pulled into the journey up the snake-like river without the experience needed. When he reaches Africa, he sees the men chained up as "criminals...,not enemies" instead of the slaves that they really are. He still doesn't understand how these people are treated even as he walked into the dark forest where many are "slowly dying" and yet he just gives one biscuit. It is as though he would rather push something out of his mind than really analyze it and understand what is going on. Marlow sees a white man in all white clothing, bring a picture of God into my mind.
Laura, I think it's interesting that you bring up the contrast between or maybe blending of Conrad's ideas as the author and Marlow as the protagonist Conrad creates. Sometimes it's a little hard to tell what is author and what is character, but keep exploring your thinking about it as you continue.
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