The woods, the river: the colonies settings illustrate the loneliness and deprivation of human kind. These are places that are filled with gloomy moonlight, cold breezes and a somber energy; sinking the hearts and souls who wander among them. The setting in the Heart of Darkness mirror the emotional state of characters like Marlow. However, he recognizes how the people around him are not affected by the setting as he is. The other white people live in a distinct world, seen with other eyes. He states how some of the colonists live as illusionists and dreamers, who strive to become "kings." The colonists ache to claim every piece of ivory possible, well it is their door to luxury. Nevertheless, Marlow also claims that some are too cowardly to excel, so they live among the shadows, waiting for a miracle to turn them into kings. Marlow on the other hand, is simply Marlow. He does not intend to become anything or anyone, but enters into a state of moral wakefulness when arriving in the Congo. No one shares Marlow's experience and for this reason he is alone. He portrays to be independent from the world. He is a man of independent dreams and sorrows. "We live as we dream– alone....48" Marlow feels that no one will ever be able to comprehend him, for Marlow doesn't even comprehend himself.
Marlow, a British colonist, is devoted to the extraction of ivory in the exotic lands of the Congo. At least that is what he believes or intends to do in this strange country. After arriving, and having observed the horrific and inhumane mistreatments against the natives he doubts his purpose in life and his job. Alone in Africa, Marlow is completely befuddled of his attitude towards his situation. Should he rebel against the white, his own race and fight for human integrity? Or, does he want to become wealthy and live?
The white people around him are absorbed by greed, corruption and vanity. These men, drunk with power, will never sacrifice their life style in exchange for moral liberty. Ivory is their mistress. Despite the fact that all white men act like savages, there is one that Marlow admires greatly. Mr. Kurtz: witty, and an evil genius is considered the G-d of ivory.
Although Marlow's moral conscience is awake, Kurt'z image provokes Marlow with his money and power. This Chief of the Inner Station is a representation of societies idealism. British society during these times, especially invoked extravagance and luxury as a "common life style." Many of the strategies adopted to attain this image were cruel and animalistic. (Slave Trade and Ivory Exploitation)
Every man stands alone. For man is never trusted. Man betrays in order to stand above. If it implies acting animalistic, a man will do so if it leads to power.
The human race claims to survive as a group, but realistically this method is selfish. Humans live in society for it offers comfortable accommodations. But once their is something undiscovered, something better, they will abandon the herd. We are all alone. Who will ever guarantee faithfulness?
Marlow is not faithful to his moral perception (at first). If he doubts the society he represents and himself, who exactly is Marlow?
No comments:
Post a Comment