Currently we are reading "The Heart Of Darkness" in class. I have no idea how to feel about the book. I know that so far Marlow is not my favorite character even though is the main character of the story. Right now he is telling us about his arrival to the Congo. I think what's really making me dislike him is the way that he describes the criminals that are being held captive in the Congo. I do understand that the story takes place during slavery times. But it still bothers me how he speaks about them and makes them sound like animals. They are human beings just like him.
However that's not the only thing that bothers me about him. Another thing is his naivety towards the situation and his surroundings. He doesn't seem to question the big picture, he questions the little things like the holes that are dug in the ground at the most random locations. But he doesn't wonder about these "criminals" that are being held hostage on this island. And when he signed up for the voyage he didn't wonder about the males who never returned home. For an individual that was so eager to leave home he seemed to have no sense of caution. The way Marlow thinks just doesn't seem realistic or mature to me. It seems more like the mentality of a hyperactive child trying to escape home or looking for a home. With no worries no cares and no definite plans in mind. Just going wherever life takes him, without questioning the journey.
I wish you would have embedded the link; however, I agree with you. I thought I was the only one who felt that Marlow was not realistic at all. I love your analogy of him to a hyperactive child because any adult would have scrutinized everything that occurred. The scrutiny would be prevalent in order for them to protect themselves. Marlow seems like he does not have a family left because he is on journeys for months at a time without any regard to anyone else. I really like the way you made a valid point, but I wish you was more descriptive.
ReplyDeleteWell he is a sailor. His job is to travel from place to place. As you'll see, his home is on a boat. Whenever he is on one, he is comfortable.
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