What is the
importance of ivory throughout the novel? How does it function as both a
literal and figurative image?
Ivory appears as a false idol. It is worshiped by the
"pilgrims." The narrator reflects the image of Ivory as something to
covet or seek out in the jungle, and this appears to be the only function of
the "pilgrims." They remain static throughout the plot unless the
word "ivory" is mentioned, or "hippo." The narrator
portrays the company men as "faithless pilgrims" who are trapped within
a longing for ivory. It was "whispered," and "sighed." The
narrator draws in the read too. "You would think they were praying to
it." Mr. Kurtz is marveled as a god because he is the one in possession of
ivory. He even retorted with "My Ivory." Even the dedicated servant
to Mr. Kurtz the Russian is threatened by Mr. Kurtz in a rather ironic twist
for "a small lot of ivory." Mr. Kurtz covets ivory and envies any man
in possession of it. The narrator even suggest that this lust for ivory has
turned his skin to mirror its color, "like a vapor exhaled from the
earth." Ivory is white. It signals purity and majestic qualities. It also
comes from two very extraordinary animals elephants and rhinos, three including
hippos. Mr. Kurtz spelled a considerable amount of blood. The
ivory is tainted in a sense. It is also the sole reason why the
"pilgrims" and Mr. Kurtz and Marlow are in the Congo
in the first place. Ironically the inhabitants of the land have a color that
reflects the absence of light or reflects the absorption of all colors. Mr.
Kurtz relied heavily on the native population or "savages" to extract
ivory from the country ,and ironically he wrote a memoir requesting the extermination of the population helping him. Perhaps this is a reflection
of how wrong motives ultimately destroy the practitioner. Mr. Kurtz has an
"ivory face." He is malnourished and dying from malaria,
perhaps.
I did not catch the importance of ivory in this context – how it was “worshipped” and how the owners of it were like gods, as Kurtz was treated. Ivory was used as a material for idol worship, and ironically these Europeans, imposing civilization and Christianity upon the natives, are almost treating it as a false idol. Also the color symbolism here is important; the white of purity and skin color versus black of sin and skin color. I notice that the symbols don’t necessarily represent good or evil only – they interchange; white represents purity, but ironically the white people are corrupted in sin, as evil is normally associated with black, and the natives are not necessarily antagonists even though they are the color of evil. As with Kurtz’s death, it is ironic that he is pale with death, as death is generally associated with black.
ReplyDeleteWhen I cited the symbol of the ivory, I cited its symbol of greed. That is mentioned a total of zero times in your blog. Bravo sir, as you have found another very probable interpretation of the symbolism of the ivory and what it means to the parties involved. The symbol of the tainted ivory from the killing of the animal is a strong one and one that is quite ironic in context, as ivory is white - and it is understood to be pure - but the process of procuring the ivory from the animal's jaw is one of great blood-loss and agony, not to mention the pain the animal feels.
ReplyDeleteSam, I’d have to concur with you on this. I see ivory as being, figuratively, greed. On the other hand, Blake, I also believe the ivory to physically be an idol. The figurative and literal meanings go hand in hand. The lust for ivory rules over the company and greed is its agent. Also, if you’ll forgive the stretch, I see the ivory as being a figurative representation of ambition. The longing for ivory leads Mr. Kurtz to such, what I perceive are, extremes. Also, Blake, I think it highly plausible, your thoughts on the health of Mr. Kurtz. It shows how obsession tires individuals out by consuming them.
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