Thursday, March 21, 2013
Heart of Darkness Prompt #8
How a person looks at or thinks of another person says more about that person than it does about the people they are viewing. The way in which Conrad describes the natives in his novel, Heart of Darkness, creates, or rather makes more defined, the wall of separation between them and the leading characters. The degrading description of the natives as "savages" or even "animals" shows how they are perceived by these men. It’s as if they have nothing in common with these natives, not even the human race. The disgust towards these people leaves a disappointment with the reader of the characters.
However, while the men look down upon these people of whose land they are invading, in reality, this causes the reader to look down upon them. As they degrade the natives as "savages" throughout the novel, in the end, these men are the ones who really end up as savages as they become slaves to ivory and their obsession to posses it. So often the thing that a person is disgusted by is the thing in which they become; hypocrites by accident. As this downward spiral happens gradually throughout the novel, so does the character of the novel disintegrate.
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I like how you pointed out the irony in the reversal of roles as they become savages rather than the natives. It is only at the end that Kurtz realizes this as well and leaves his parting statement that continues to confuse Marlow. This acts as a driving force throughout the novel as well as history and imperialism in how others feel the need to control others and force them to adapt to their own lifestyles and views. Is early America any better for the treatment of Native Americans in the colonial period?
ReplyDeleteMolly, I agree, I too was disappointed in how the white men perceived the natives. Just because they are of different backgrounds does not mean they are of lesser importance. Yet, we must remember that these characters are fictional, are were made to highlight and demonstrate the colonizers disrespect towards the natives of the time. Conrad could well have over dramatized the colonizers opinions to add effect to his novel. That is one theory. I am sure that the natives during the age of British exploration were mistreated, but perhaps not as brutally as the way Conrad incessantly described.
ReplyDeleteMolly, there are two major elements of the Conrad's novella that I am glad you pointed out. First, you mention the small association between the civilized man and native man, then the idea of accidental hipocripsy. Both concepts, play large roles in the novella. In the tale, the white man is depicted as having superior characteristics. Characteristics that enable civility in the most barbaric individuals, further creating social distinction.Also, you point out how "the that a person is disgusted by is the thing in which they become". This idea plays a large role in the story as we see major characters evolve, revealing a completely new being.
ReplyDeleteMolly, I love your phrase, "hypocrites by accident." They constantly put the natives down for their skin color, customs, way of speaking, and way of life and these evil statements caused them to become evil and "savages" like them. This changes the story, brings new meanings and personalities, and is an important part of the novel.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you with the phrase "hypocrites by accident" it does relate towards the natives skin color, customs, wat of speaking and way of life. Adding also the statements that created them to become evil and "savages".
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