Discuss the concept
of light and dark throughout the novel?
What do they symbolize? How
do they shift? Cite specific
passages.
Conrad establishes a
blurred fusion of light and dark throughout the book, marking a contrast
between the “impenetrable darkness” enveloping the men and the glimmering light
of their own ambition. As Marlow
floats further and further into the deep “heart” of the wilderness, the once
glistening clarity of the mission is clouded by the “inscrutable” blackness of
the surrounding world. The men are
driven by the wealth and promise of ivory, a shining white ideal that hovers
above a bleaker reality. Yet, even
this image of brightness is blurred by the lurking evil all around—just as the
“vengeful” blackness of the night obscures their vision, the “white fog” of
daylight further obstructs their journey, “blinding” them in a sea of
uncertainty. Light and dark
gradually begin to merge as one, creating a “mysterious stillness” that hovers
over the “inner truths” of the land.
Though light is often presented as a shining force apart from the
darkness—the “illuminating” and “bewildering” allure of Kurtz’s presence—it becomes
as ominous a force as the black wilderness itself. The “pilgrims’” ambition and Kurtz’s overpowering words
create a “pulsating stream of light” through the surrounding darkness, yet
these gleaming promises only mask the harrowing reality of the situation. Despite the brightness of its appearance, the entire
enterprise is rooted in a dark and brutal evil, stemming directly “from the
heart of impenetrable darkness” that resides in all the men’s souls.
Audrey I really like your response to this prompt. Another change from light to dark involving Kurtz is the acceptance of his death. Marlow hears his last words that are rooted more in darkness with his selfishness. He wanted Marlow to protect his "ivory" and other objects that were Kurtz accomplishments. I do agree with you that at first the light and dark are separate but then they both come together and confuse or blind the people on the river. I believe this ties in with the theme of the "heart of darkness" how innate darkness (evil or illnesses) happen within all nature and nature is the source of this "darkness". I like how you say this lightness is what masks the reality of the situation. To me, this whole novel was about looking at reality from an unrealistic perspective. The reactions of people in this novella seem as if they have been infected with dark "madness."
ReplyDeleteI loved your utilization of textual evidence. I forgot to mark my book, so I found it hard to include as much myself. You had some impressive insights in your response to prompt fourteen. I thought it so profound when you stated that light and dark marked, "a contrast between the 'impenetrable darkness' enveloping the men and the glimmering light of their own ambition." Your diction there was so precise I cracked a smile when I read it. I too had pondered upon the meaning of the white fog in part two. White is usually associated with a cleansing and purity, yet in the form of a fog it served as an impeding, congestive element that only furthered the characters' distress. I offer up another explanation as to why white is used in this manner. Perhaps white is used to highlight the subjectively of the seemingly honorable colonizing acts in Africa. The European citizens back home saw progress and like Marlow were intrigued by the things they heard about the shimmering, clean, modern European successes in the Congo. Yet, in actuality, these shining accomplishments came at a great price and caused many a social uprising in later years. Thus the meaning behind the misleading imagery. Just a thought. Nice response though :)
ReplyDeleteYou describe the men's motivation to progress into Africa was 'wealth and the promise of ivory.' However, white is often used to represent purity and morality. In this case, it might be referencing their religion. Part of the reason the Europeans were exploring Africa was to spread Christianity; this is also the reason Marlow refers to the other agents of the Company as 'pilgrims.' Perhaps that Conrad chose the resource these characters exploit to be white shows that he more strongly believed their motivation or crafted these characters to be motivated by religion rather than money.
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