So with this next installment in "Heart of Darkness," I was genuinely hoping for a break from the extremely lengthy descriptions, but as usual, the things I have come to believe about works we read in A.P. turned out to be completely and totally wrong.
Moving onward.
What kind of drew my attention in in the beginning was the men talking to each other right by his boat; it was a perfect set-up for him to eavesdrop and learn of the expedition to Mr. Kurtz's station and to pursue an ivory-gathering mission. Through that whole sequence, I kept getting the feeling that the men knew that Marlow--or anybody, for that matter--was in the boat they were talking loudly right next to, and could easily hear everything they said. What further pushed this feeling of epic sketchiness was that when he fidgeted or moved or said something (I honestly do not know what happened to make this effect), the men were startled but then continued on like nothing happened. Weird, much?
I also noticed some ties to either Greek or Roman mythology--I do not know which one as it has been a long time since I studied the two. The connection that I made was that the boat journey further up the Congo River to Mr. Kurtz's station was so long and grueling and "trecherous" (though, honestly, I still do not like the wordiness of this novella), that it was like the Odyssey...or maybe that guy who went on that 35 mile journey that resulted in the race called a Marathon?
I'm getting close to the word limit, but I made an amazing connection that I will share in class. I will also have diagrams to enforce that what I am saying is right.
I was also wondering about these two men. They were an uncle and nephew I believe. But why were they talking so loudly, especially when Marlow was so close? I think that some of it has to do with Conrad characterizing the Europeans as stupid, contrasting with the Europeans view of the Africans. Also, I think the conversation is meant to add to the mysterious persona that is Mr. Kurtz.
ReplyDeleteI am very curious now of your connection and your diagrams. I hope that we are in the same circle so we can discuss this connection.