Marlow begins his journey into the “Heart of Darkness” by creating a thick and ambiguous atmosphere. As a reader, I notice that the only things he had secured were his mission to meet Kurtz and his acute awareness and intelligence that would get him there. Consistently, Marlow makes comparisons between England and Africa, reminding the reader of their missions manifested by polarized attitudes. Faced with death, helplessness, and hunger, Marlow questions his leadership abilities and his existence on the mission, while having to confirm his morals every step of the way. For this reason, he admires the Chief Accountant for succeeding in adverse conditions. The Accountant's acceptance of responsibility motivates Marlow to reflect on his progress, but also to recognize the torture and mental pain inflicted by colonizers who claim to be bringing "light".
As Marlow travels further and further into the continent, he digs deeper into his conscience and that of Africa's inhabitants. As his sole purpose and psychological desire is to merely meet Kurtz, Marlow understands that the challenges he is faced with can best be navigated with his moral compass. That is why Marlow begins to see the importance of situational analysis.
The reader's journey into the "Heart of Darkness" is fulfilled by Marlow's unexpressed thoughts. By the choices he makes, Marlow conveys his personal principles to his readers, leaving them with a colourful tapestry of his subconscious, stung by memories of the Congo and exasperated by his hopes to meet his idol.
No comments:
Post a Comment