#1 P. 1014 and #4 P. 1018

Kuper dramatizes the illustrations, background, and facial expressions in order provide fertile ground for humor.Through hyperbolic images, he encourages his viewers to feel remorse and sympathy for Gregor, a brilliant and genuinely good- hearted man, jailed in the body of a impotent vermin. Page 995 is just one image that directly reflects my preconceived notions about Metamorphosis. Through Kafka's diction, I have always imagined Gregor as a human-sized bug (not a tiny insect) awkwardly lying face up in bed, not knowing what to do with all of his new limbs. I love Kuper's addition of the alarm clock right on the bedside table reminding the reader of Gregor's old routine lifestyle and the early mornings he had to rise in order to catch the train as a traveling salesman. Often times, alarm clocks are also reminders of our limitations. For Gregor, it might serve as a physical reminder that he is running out of time (death approaching or he ran out of time in his human life), that he is late for work and now having to deal with the employer's consequences and the new consequences he'll have to face as a bug, or that he has failed in his life's task (financial provider).Kuper's choice to use black and white was expected for me. Color always influences the part of the human brain that signals hormonal (and thus emotional) responses, impacting how we initially react and respond. Hence when people "see red" or are "green with envy" or are "stuck in the blues" or "in the pink". It's amazing, but color really does manipulate human emotion. Black and white images also evoke emotional responses such as nostalgia, bleakness, and sentiment. Many times, we feel that black and white photography is devoid of emotional indicators, but instead Kuper captures eternity and endurance of the story, the morals, and the simplicity. Kuper encourages his viewers to think abstractly, provoked by thought and subtlety. 

Kafka Post (After being sick)

Metamorphosis magnifies and satisfies the necessity for eavesdropping. Though modern society views this means of interaction as regressive, rude, unprofessional, and oftentimes evil, Gregor uses eavesdropping as a means of human connection. Because his family starts neglecting him, increased especially when the lodgers arrive, he resorts to listening to what his family has to say about him. Overhearing his mother repulsed by his form and his father in disbelief of his son’s metamorphosis, Gregor fully recognizes his traumatic rejection by his family and his housekeeper too! Though detrimental and often times painful, our society has become one of casual eavesdropping. Social networking has become the hub of personal, pathetic, entertaining, and instant updates on what people are saying or doing and what they have seen someone else do. This constant sharing of news clearly devalues privacy. Undeniably through generations and culture, our private behavior has now become public. Even though eavesdropping damages his self-esteem at times, Gregor hardens his self-protection by learning what his family thinks of him. As society has proved, hearing the truth maintains order and safety. Therefore, Gregor takes advantage of this evolved communication, even at the expense of his ultimate demise.His story proves that the victim of eavesdropping is no longer the eavesdropper, but rather it’s the bystanders who can’t escape the words overheard. What might have seemed private is now thrown into his face, and like Gregor, the unspeakable are harmed, shamed, and destroyed. 

HOD

Joseph Conrad was consumed with writing about the human condition and the underlying circumstances that drive humans to do the things they do. He recognized early on that the psyche can be an enhancer, a redeemer, and a destroyer. Heart of Darkness is not only a tale of Marlow’s self-discovery in the Congo, but one which exposes and redefines morality, amorality, and immorality. This moral ambiguity is a common thread throughout Marlow’s story deriving from his inconsistent moral standards relying on the activity of societal checks and cultural norms. On the other hand, Kurtz neither survives nor returns from the heart of darkness because he takes advantage of his surrounding and thus suffers from moral regression. Kurtz therefore represents the effect of Freud’s “uncontrollable personal needs” acting as the physical representation of Marlow’s unfulfilled desires.

HOD Question

Kurtz neither survives nor returns from the heart of darkness because he takes advantage of his surrounding. Using the ivory, human skulls, and the natives to exert his domination, Kurtz’s mentality is regresses. On the other hand, Marlow had societal checks on him so he was able to survive in the heart of darkness and come back as a “changed man”.

HoD Psychological Journey

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.

HoD P. 430 #6

This portrait strikes me as a woman bringing light to darkness, creating a path for those who follow behind her. At further glance, however, the woman's blind sight reminds the observer that her purpose is to lead the way without bias, judgment, or preference. Can this be true? Does the blindfold represent her lack of knowledge instead? In other words, it is the blind leading the blind into deeper darkness. Marlow will reveal this "dark" mystery. 

HoD P. 429 #2

Marlow opens his tale by insisting that the men reflect on the trials and tribulations of the Romans traveling from Europe ages ago. Appalled by the barbaric inhabitants, repulsive lifestyle, and depressing weather, the Romans’ endured a great deal for their current conditions because of their “Conquering mentality.” Hence the parallels drawn to Marlow’s story, one of colonizers seeking the African adventure. However, Marlow distinctly separates the Romans from himself by recalling their greedy objectives. I believe this challenge of taking what is necessary for self-indulgence rather than survival will become prominent in his personal narration into the Congo.  The story also suggests how the “Power of the situation” prevails, justifying man’s voracity, exposed by the pressures of endurance.