“I missed my late helmsman awfully,—I missed him even while his body was still lying in the pilot-house. Perhaps you will think it passing strange, this regret for a savage who was of no more account than a grain of sand in a black Sahara. Well, don’t you see, he had done something, he had steered; for months I had him at my back—a help—an instrument. It was a kind of partnership. He steered for me—I had to look after him, I worried about his deficiencies, and thus a subtle bond had been created, of which I only became aware when it was suddenly broken. And the intimate profundity of that look he gave me when he received his hurt remains to this day in my memory—like a claim of distant kinship affirmed in a supreme moment.” (Conrad, 62)
This excerpt is from shortly after a battle with the natives along the bank of the river, in which Marlow’s helmsman, a black native, was killed. Marlow tells of his sorrow over the loss of his helmsman and of the bond that they developed during their months of working together.
This passage demonstrates the themes of dehumanization and contradiction. Throughout his tale, Marlow describes the natives as brutes and savages, more as animals than humans. In this passage, he tells of the connection he had developed with the helmsman that he only realized after losing him. He also describes the look the dying helmsman gave him that exemplified their intimate connection. However, while describing their partnership and bond, Marlow still refers to the helmsman as a savage and an instrument. This brings up a contradiction between Marlow’s beliefs and his current feelings.
Furthermore, this revelation of compassion from Marlow may foreshadow a change in Marlow’s beliefs: that perhaps the Africans are not sub-human. He may begin questioning their abuse and servitude brought by the ivory trade and colonialism.
1. Marlow describes his sorrow of losing his ‘partner’, the helmsman, while still referring to him as a savage and an instrument. What do these conflicting views of native Africans tell us about Marlow and about 19th century colonialists and traders?
2. What effects might the Europeans’ dehumanization of the natives have on the colonialists and traders during their activities in Africa?
Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness & Selections from The Congo Diary. New York: Modern Library, 1999.
In response to question two:
ReplyDeleteThe European view of the natives would undoubtedly skew the manner in which the two groups interact. Subsequent impressions are often shaped by the first impression, a concept evident in Heart of Darkness. The view of native Africans as subhuman most likely was, in the minds of the "pilgrims," a justification for treating them as disposable instruments.
Question One:
ReplyDeleteMaslow did not realize how much he really appreciated the helsman for all he did until the helsman had been killed. After he had fallen dead, Maslow realized that the helsman was a very good person and a good person to work with. Despite this realization and feeling bad, Maslow still referred to him as a savage because that was the way things were during this time period. The Europeans had very strong feelings about the natives and the African Americans, and did not see them as equal or necessarily as people during this time. So despite what Maslow was feeling, it was not enough to overtake his natural feeling towards these groups of people.
Question 1: I think that from the beginning Marlow is someone who is not not completely believe in the colonialism ideology. As a result, his view of the Natives as savagery may not be firm and it can be influenced by the situation, namely close connection with him for an interval of time in this situation.
ReplyDeleteIn response to question one, I believe that Marlow is very confused with his own beliefs. In lecture, we talked about how "we exist in a reality, but we don't really know who we are." During the 19th century, people were very racist, and the savages were looked down upon. Marlow was "supposed to" only think of the helmsman as an instrument, but deep down, he is confused and creates a closer bond with him. I think Marlow is turning away from the colonialism ideology, and going with what he really believes in.
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