"They were conquerors, and for that you want only brute force--nothing to boast of, when you have it, since your strength is just an accident arising from the weakness of others. They grabbed what they could get for the sake of what was to be got. It was just robbery with violence, aggravated murder on a great scale, and men going at it blind--as is very proper for those who tackle a darkness." Page 70
This quote is a shift from Marlow's previous paragraph where he praises the intentions of the explorers. He explains that he has seen the brutal truth of colonization first hand and that the ordered destruction of other cultures, while praised for profit and justified by Western ideals, is atrocious. He poignantly says that the conqueror's strength is nothing to marvel at or boast about because it is "an accident" taken from the weakness of others. While this does in a sense reflect a sense of European superiority, Marlow notes that the roles of conquerors and conquered are determined by chance (Guns, Germs, and Steel anyone?)
This passage reflects the tone of the rest of the narrative. Marlow is reflective and able to retell his story with the insight of time. He condemns conquerors as robbers and notes that the mentality that the ends justify the means is wrong.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Difficulties with Heart of Darkness
'Try to be civil, Marlow," growled a voice, and I knew there was at least one listened awake besides myself.
"I beg your pardon. I forgot the heartache which makes up the rest of the price. and indeed what does the price matter, if the trick be well done? You do your tricks very well. and i didn't do badly either, since i managed not to sink that steamboat on my first trip. It's a wonder to me yet. Imagine a blindfold man set to drive a van over a bad road. I sweated and shivered over that business considerably, I can tell you. after all, for a seaman, to scrape the bottom of the thing that's supposed to float all the time under his care is the unpardonable sin." Page 106-107
I don't understand what the other speaker is asking or what he is responding to. Wasn't Marlow having personal thoughts before this? I also don't understand Marlow's response specifically what he means by the trick and his metaphor with the van. What is Marlow trying to communicate and what is the larger implication for this part of his journey?
"I beg your pardon. I forgot the heartache which makes up the rest of the price. and indeed what does the price matter, if the trick be well done? You do your tricks very well. and i didn't do badly either, since i managed not to sink that steamboat on my first trip. It's a wonder to me yet. Imagine a blindfold man set to drive a van over a bad road. I sweated and shivered over that business considerably, I can tell you. after all, for a seaman, to scrape the bottom of the thing that's supposed to float all the time under his care is the unpardonable sin." Page 106-107
I don't understand what the other speaker is asking or what he is responding to. Wasn't Marlow having personal thoughts before this? I also don't understand Marlow's response specifically what he means by the trick and his metaphor with the van. What is Marlow trying to communicate and what is the larger implication for this part of his journey?
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