Selection – “I remember his abject pleading, his abject threats, the colossal scale of his vile desires, the meanness, the torment, tempestuous anguish of his soul. And later on I seemed to see his collected languid manner, when he said one day, ‘This lot of ivory now is really mine. The Company did not pay for it. I collected it myself at a very great personal risk. I am afraid that they will try to claim it as theirs though. H’m. It is a difficult case. What do you think I ought to do – resist? Eh? I want no more than justice.’ … He wanted no more than justice—no more than justice.“ (Conrad, 91-92)
This selection begins by displaying Marlow’s disgust with Kurtz – his recognition of wrongdoing and disregard for the lives of the natives (enemies). It is this dissociation from justice which the book embodies. The reuse of the word abject shows his deep disgust with Kurtz’s mindset, and furthers that with the rest of his description.
Kurtz's quote is a strong use of Conrad’s sarcasm, which as was spoke of in lecture is a very prominent element in the text. His calmness of the situation is glorified, as he develops little anger for the fortune which may be taken away from him upon his (possible) return. This gentleman-like quality shows that he is an icon of the Imperialist movement, as can be seen in Marlow’s statement “Your success in Europe is assured in any case.” (Conrad, 83) The heartless blindness to the true injustice which has been done is Conrad’s depiction of the “White Man’s Burden,” and the atrocities which it caused.
Questions to ponder upon
1. What does Marlow’s loyalty to Kurtz represent, given the contrasting loathing he holds toward him?
2. What does Kurtz’s concern with his ivory stock parallel in real-world events? Furthermore, does his death represent the end of Imperialism or the bloodshed caused during the Imperialist movement? Why?
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ReplyDeleteIn response to question one:
ReplyDeleteI don't think you could call Marlow's interaction with Kurtz loyalty. I think it's a recognition that "justice," is an arbitrary term. I think it demonstrates Marlow's ongoing search for something concrete - some moral, ethical consistency in his life, something that is fundamentally right on a universal scale.
question one:
ReplyDeleteMarlow is not so much loyal to Kurtz as he is fascinated by him and what he has become. Marlow has his doubts about the noble endeavour in Africa but I think Marlow thinks that once he sees Kurtz in all his glory he will be reassured about their purpose there. However, as Marlow begins to witness the utter chaos the entire operation is and how Kurtz has fallen into chaos as well he begins to loath Kurtz and everything he once stood for. He qualifies that Kurtz's reputation is safe with him because he must safeguard the blind masses back in Europe. On pg 91 Marlow recognizes that "It was a moment of triumph for the wilderness, an invading and vengeful rush which, it seemed to me, I would have to keep back alone for the salvation of another soul." Marlow in the end is disgusted by Kurtz but to keep the "darkness" out of Europe he must keep the secret.
Question 1: in my opnion, Kurtz is the symbol of the shaking ideology that Marlow has in his mind. Marlow really hope that Kurtz can be the one who help him to solidify his ideology or to completely break it. Marlow was at a crossroad and Kurts is someone who would ultimately push him to his destined way. I think that might be the reason why Marlow is in some senses loyal to Kurtz despite his contrasting opinions Marlow held against him.
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