Compared to A Clockwork Orange, Heart of Darkness could not be a more different story. On top of a jarring trip back in time seventy years, the switch from Nadsat to dense, description heavy and old-fashioned sentences may be the most difficult. Within pages of the start of the book the theme of light and dark becomes evident, evoking images of civilization versus savagery, and also questions of morality. Although the storyteller and main character Marlow is white, his narration clearly separates himself from the stereotypical actions of a white man in Africa. Marlow often describes these stereotypes as in "This was simple prudence, white men being so much alike at a distance that he could not tell who I might be" (pg. 26). Despite any believed truths in these descriptions it is still odd for Marlow to be describing white people in such a way given the time period. What is Marlow trying to accomplish in his story through these small insights on how white people act?
Although Marlow showed compassion to a slave early on when he gave him food, it seems there is still a lack of true emotion to be felt for anyone who is african. Not only does he not show empathy but Marlow almost uses humor to describe horrific situations like, "Can't say I saw any road or any upkeep, unless the body of a middle-aged negro, with a bullet-hole in the forehead......may be considered as a permanent improvement" (pg. 34). In contrast to separating himself from other white people through his descriptions above, why does Marlow choose to speak of Africans as animals? Is this just a consequence of the time period? Do you think Marlow can still be a good person through this sort of action and thought?
Finally, how does the form of this work of literature match the content, if at all? Do you believe this style of writing is another consequence of time period or is it an intentional literary device?
While A Clockwork Orange successfully uses Nadsat language to provide certain clues for the social class and status background, Heart of Darkness used heavy, old-fashioned and much more formal language which revealed some background of the given era and environment. The author uses dense description of dark woods and dying slaves to set up the colonies surrounded by death and desperation. Later in Part 1 the author stresses on portraying the ridiculous colonizers to emphasize their uselessness and greediness.
ReplyDeleteI see the quote "Can't say I saw any road or any upkeep, unless the body of a middle-aged negro, with a bullet-hole in the forehead......may be considered as a permanent improvement" (pg. 34) as a sarcastic way to denounce the imperialists for their "helping" the African civilization to reach a higher level. It was ironic to see how the imperialists claimed they were the superior ones but ended up killing the Africans.
To agree with Sally, the language used in both novels reflects the content and purpose of the story. In Heart of Darkness, the formal, yet still conversational language style was the more style of the time, and uses the rich imagery that the novel relies on for symbolism and intensely vivid scenes and characters. A Clockwork Orange also uses description, a conversational and imagery (remember the image of Alex slicing the cheeks of his victim) for symbolism, but also to make a clear stylistic statement, which is where the two authors move in different paths. Also, Conrad uses the frame narrative set-up, which allows for depth and perspective which was never afforded with Burgess' first person narration.
ReplyDeleteMarlow's attitude toward the Africans is two-fold: on one hand, he believes that the "The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses that ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much" (8). But, he also often refers to the Africans as savages, natives, and worse, and does little to help them. It seems as though he is a man living before his time, when these words were part the way he'd been raised, and bigotry seemed to be part of the culture. Still, he moves past this cultural prejudice and begins to see the truth, if only in glimpses.
I agree the Marlow clearly separates himself from the other white men that he encounters. I particularly liked when Marlow talked about his encounter with the chief accountant. While Marlow never outright states his opinion, this description is another illustration of the message that Conrad is trying to convey about the excessiveness of imperialism. "Yes; I respected his collars, his vast cuffs, his brushed hair. His appearance was certainly that of a hairdresser's dummy; but in the great demoralisation of the land he kept up his appearance. That's backbone. His starched collars and got-up shirtfronts were achievements of character" (30). I think Marlow's behavior towards the Africans is a result of his attempt to show indifference towards imperialism. Like Louise said, he describes some of the horrors that he sees, but also refers to the Africans as savages. This relates to the conversation going on in the other post about Marlow's attitude towards imperialism. Even though Marlow is different from many of the white men, he is still white and his treatment of the Africans shows that he is trying to remain indifferent towards imperialism like the other white men and focus instead on his exploration.
ReplyDelete"What is Marlow trying to accomplish in his story through these small insights on how white people act?"
ReplyDeleteI believe Marlow is very different than most men, he always looks beyond what is in front of him. When he hears of Mr.Kurtz he questions him and his morals. When he sees the women with the torch he finds the mysterious black and white contrast appealing. I thought this may have to do with his different ideas on men "The background was sombre almost black." (pg 43). He notices the difference of the background and how it makes the woman pop out more; Marlow also feels as if women are out of touch. My point is that I feel as though Marlow overlooks physical attributes such as skin color and focuses more on the emotional state of the person; which seems to intrigue him more. He might sometimes not show much respect for Africans however compared to the brutality Africans were shown in that time period I feel as if his view is more respectful than usual. I also think that the time period influenced his language and opinions towards the people.
As most people have stated, the style of Heart of Darkness makes for a very dense and confusing read. I would argue that though it is not my favorite of styles, Conrad illustrates well the principle ideas of isolation and futility, as I am constantly losing my place in the text and its significance.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to agree with Nina that Marlowe is different from most white men. Though Marlowe does focus on the qualities of the starved natives, big-eyed and scrawny, I believe that his description serves more to create a social commentary rather than to criticize the appearance or the status of the natives.
I think for Marlowe's emotions are not veered to racism or to anti-imperialism. Rather they are geared towards the ambiguous mystery of the river: the entrance to Africa's Heart of Darkness.
As Louise said, Marlow is torn between the prejudice of his culture and his personal beliefs. Referring nonchalantly to the Africans as "savages" and worse shows more of a cultural norm than a personal belief. The fact that Marlow disapproves of colonialism and dislikes many of the practices in Africa shows that he questions the morals of European society. It is also interesting that Marlow seems to have no friends or loyalties. Though he ignores the suffering of the African natives, he shows a certain disdain for most of the white men. He describes the brickmaker as being a "papier-mache Mephistopheles" (45). Not only is the man hollow and fake, but also a kind of "Mephistopheles", or one who has sold his soul to the devil. There are also the pilgrims, who spend their time "backbiting and intriguing against each other in a foolish kind of way" (42). Marlow finds the group utterly ridiculous and useless. The highest praise Marlow seems to have for any man is that he is neatly dressed and healthy.
ReplyDeletewhy does Marlow choose to speak of Africans as animals? Is this just a consequence of the time period? Do you think Marlow can still be a good person through this sort of action and thought?
ReplyDeleteTo go off of this question and idea, I think that Marlow really does not know how he should view the Africans. To me it seems like he is in this constant back and forth of having pity for the Africans, and being like the other white people around.. rude and disrespectful. Examples of both of these situations occurs when Marlow first sees Africans going over to an area and basically collapsing and soon dying from the heat, and working to hard, and Marlow has a pity for them, he knows these conditions are wrong. But then when he sees the white accountant dressed up and put together in his nice clothes he has admiration for him instead of anger about why they get treated so poorly and he gets to be dressed up. I think that Marlow is just still trying to sort this new place out and what to think about the people as well.
Marlow’s descriptions of how the white people act serve as a form of irony. The reflections concerning the pitiless white men around him contrast with the idea of colonialism. Ironically the european companies who are supposed to bring civilization to the dark continent, are actually stripping the natives of humanity, forcing them to work, and create a savage relationship completely contradictory to the so called “White Man’s Burden.” By providing these ironic discernments, Conrad conveys a judgement of humans and also allows for the open interpretation of the white man’s true motives. Marlow is trying to accomplish what Conrad hoped to by providing these descriptions in hope that the audience or reader will find their own perceptions. In response to the second question concerning Marlow’s inherent “good”, I think that he has truly moral beliefs because of the fact that he is able to recognize the lack of restraint causing degeneracy in the white men around him. “I’ve seen the devil of violence, and the devil of greed, and the devil of hot desire; but, by all stars! these were strong, lusty, red-eyed devils, that swayed and drove men.” (26) Marlow seems to see the true “evil” within the white men around him. Conrad’s ambiguous style is an intentional literary device that initiates the independent interpretation of the reader. By minimizing the amount important information given and focusing on detailed accounts and analyses, Conrad generates a basis for which the reader can build their own understanding off of.
ReplyDeleteFrom the first description of Charlie Marlow given to the reader by the narrator, it is clear that he is very different from the other men aboard The Nellie. On the bottom of page 5, the narrator directly states that "...Marlow was not typical..." Furthermore, the narrators description of Marlow's position on deck is very telling, "...lifting one arm from the elbow, the pal of the hand outwards, so that, with his legs folded before him, he had the pose of a Buddha preaching in European clothes and without a lotus-flower..." (p.8), but until the reader gets deeper in to the book, they are unsure how these difference will manifest themselves in Marlow's story. As the reader gets further into the book, it quickly becomes clear that Marlow uses harsh, satirical language in order to convey his true feelings- feelings that are very different, as many have stated before me, from the other white men he encounters. Whereas the traders and "pilgrims" see the black men as animalistic savages, it is Marlow who sees the complete opposite as he mentions on the top of page 60 that the men of the Eldorado Expedition were in fact "less valuable animals" than the donkeys they brought with them. However, perhaps the most telling moment for Marlow is that when he feels a connection on the most basic level of human nature. Hearing the calls of the natives from his steamer Marlow notes, "Ugly. Yes, it was ugly enough; but if you were man enough you would admit to yourself that there was in you just the faintest trace of a response to the terrible frankness of that noise..." The first 79 pages of the book have revealed Marlow to be a man of strong convictions with a sharp tongue.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dreamstate when he mentions that the language in a Heart of Darkness gives a much more mature and serious sense with less humor throughout the book. The language also makes it harder to decipher some of the themes in the book without reading each reading assignment 4 or 5 times.
ReplyDeleteTo try and answer Dreamstate's question I think that Marlow is attempting to outline how what went on while he was in Congo did not agree with him morally and that he holds a certain disdain for the white people who oppress the natives and treat them as if they were animals. He may not be able to make himself take a stand for the natives because there isn't actually much he can do in his situation, but it is important that he knows that if he could do something he would. Also Marlow may seperate himself from the natives, but as the story goes on he also begins to have more "feelings" towards the natives and feels saddened by their state. The grove of death is a perfect example of this and I think that I makes a big impact on his outlook of the slavery and oppression in Congo.
I think that Marlow only still adresses the africans as animals because this is a mindset that has probably be drilled into him at school, by his parents, and most likely a part of the British culture he came from. It is a mindset that he grew up with (a part of his environment) and breaking free from this mindset won't happen right away. I think that his character will evolve more towards the end of the book and hopefully he will be able to think of the Africans with a more open mind.
Throughout Marlow’s journey, he eludes to the European’s inability to recognize the blindness in which they approached the development of the continent of Africa. For instance, as Marlow witnessed a French vessel bombarding the coastline, he states “...there she was, incomprehensible, firing into a continent,” “...nothing happened. Nothing could happen. There was a touch of insanity in the proceeding, a sense of lugubrious drollery in sigh,” (Conrad 22). This scene in which Conrad crafted in his novel is essential for the reader in terms of understanding how Europe approached Imperialism, because while the French continue to bombard the “continent” of Africa, it is clear that the European explorers in Africa have become consumed by the darkness in which they are attempting to vanquish through development and civilization.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, Marlow approaches slaves in Africa as well as the Natives and Cannibals as inferior, yet worthy of European Colonization. Marlow describes them as “Savages” who have been consumed of the “heart of darkness” that is the Belgian Congo. However, as his journey deeper into the darkness continues, he begins to realize that it may be the Europeans who are engulfed by Africa.
Heart of Darkness written in 1899 by Joseph Conrad at the end of the New Imperialism, the title for the Belgian Empire in Africa. Therefore, Conrad’s writing style is technically a consequence of the time period. However, the dense, descriptive manner in which he writes may contrast that of Anthony Burgess in A Clockwork Orange, but it is similar to that of his fellow british authors during the 20th century.