Prompt # 8
Throughout the novel Conrad tends to degrade the natives. He makes them seem inhuman and unearthly. Discuss the effect this has on characterization in the novel.
“These men
could by no stretch of imagination be called enemies. They were called
criminals and the outraged law, like the bursting shells, had come to them, an
insoluble mystery from over the sea. All their meager breasts panted together,
the violently dilated nostrils quivered, the eyes stared stonily up-hill. They
passed me within six inches, without a glance, with that complete, deathlike
indifference of unhappy savages."(Page 14) This quote exemplifies the degrading
aspect of Conrad’s novel Heart of Darkness making the “natives” seem
inhuman, unnatural, dangerous beasts of whom the main character is frightened
to be around. This has an astonishing and dramatic effect on the novel as a
whole in terms of the characterization of not only the natives but the narrator
himself. It makes the colonists superior, in intellect and common sense, and
characterizes the natives as “unhappy savages.” One either can see the narrator
in the right or the wrong, that is personal opinion. However, the influence of
the persistent degrading of the natives by Conrad clearly establishes both the
good side and the evil side of the narrator, and perhaps even the natives. The
speaker admits several times that the natives are not “enemies” but at no point
does he call them allies or, even, friends. This establishes that the speaker’s
character is unwilling to change certain customs in order to facilitate a more
friendly relationship with the natives.
It's interesting that you mention that while Conrad describes the natives as "savages," etc. that this does not exactly pinpoint his feelings toward the natives but rather "the narrator is in the right or the wrong, that is personal opinion." During this time that could have been a common name for these groups of people and calling them by that may not have been thought twice about. Looking at his words in that light, he was merely stating facts and the reader could take those facts however they like. However, with that being said, I think, as you mentioned, that a negative light is in fact shown upon the people by Conrad in that while he never calls them "enemies" he also never calls them friends. While this doesn't necessarily say that they disliked them, it does strongly imply that there wasn't a love of the people. The lack of emotion in his description shows a lack of emotion towards the people.
ReplyDeleteAnna, I agree with your opinion that, at least to some degree, Heart of Darkness is, whether intentional or not, degrading, and that Marlow’s descriptions make the Africans seem like “inhuman, unnatural, dangerous beasts.” I can’t help but wonder if Conrad himself believes these descriptions to be true-to-life, or if he wrote these things solely under Marlow’s beliefs, making him the rare type of writer who can fully disassociate himself with his main protagonist and provide for deeper characterization. Your use of direct quotes from the book delighted me as well, as I am now reminded that I forgot to use them in my own responses…
ReplyDeleteThe social changes between the time of the writing and today create a very thick lens of bias for a reader today so I agree with whether “ the narrator is in the right or wrong, that is a personal opinion.” The comments may have been acceptable at the time but that doesn’t mean that they are not degrading in any way. The lack of emotion towards the people that Molly mentions further supports the degrading words Marlow used. The lack of remorse for their condition shows that he doesn’t see a group of people person and that is truly degrading.
ReplyDeleteAnna, I agree with your opinion when you say that "the speakers character is unwilling to change certain customs in order to facilitate a more friendly relationship with natives." The speaker seems to be very selfish and only care about the well being of himself. He is not worried about the well being of the natives. He is like this throughout the whole novel. I also like the quote you used, it describes the concept of the novel very well.
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