2 Heart of Darkness

1. Peroration: 1 : the concluding part of a discourse and especially an oration
2 : a highly rhetorical speech
-Merriam-Webster Online.

Page 84: "The peroration was magnificent, though difficult to remember, you know."


2. Marlow recounts overhearing two men discoursing over Kurtz, namely about Kurtz's intentions with the station and his supposed illness. They then speak of hanging another trader, and Marlow leaps up in surprise, frightening the men and ending their conversation. Marlow's ship, with the help of "cannibals," who are ironically very considerate people, continues its journey toward Kurtz's station. Eventually the boat comes across an abandoned hut along the river bank. The hut contains a stack of wood with a sign warning of danger ahead and a book that fascinates Marlow because of its "cryptic" messages. While docked, awaiting the morning to avoid the alleged danger, a tribe of savages surrounds the ship. The whites are horrified but the cannibals are eager, hoping to eat the natives. Marlow's men are ready to attack as the savages send arrows hoping to dispell the whites, but Marlow sounds the horn and the natives scatter. The only loss in the attack is the helmsman, whom Marlow feels a sudden fond attachment to. Marlow then breaks off in his storytelling to explain the strange possession Kurtz seemed to feel over everything ranging from ivory to his "Intended," his name for his fiance. He also notes Kurtz's desire to not only civilize the natives, but exterminate them. Marlow then resumes his story, telling of his crew's belief that Kurtz must be dead after the attack. When they finally reach the station, Marlow speaks with a Russian trader, to whom the mysterious book belonged. It turns out that the "codes" were actually Russian notes, and the Russian babbles on about the wondrous Kurtz.


3. This section in particular seems to illuminate the irony and idiocracy of Imperialism. Throughout the journey, the pilgrims (the white men) seem to be the unrefined, opening fire on the first battle cry they hear from the banks and proving to be rough, forceful men. The cannibals, on the other hand, are civil and respectful. They do not complain when their hippo meat is thrown overboard, even though it means that they have no food for the rest of the journey. They make no attempt to kill and/or eat any of the pilgrims or even each other, even though the temptation must have been great. It strikes me as completely absurd that the men seeking to civilize the others should actually themselves be civilized. Once again, this idea invokes the question of who has the right to judge others. What may seem enlightened to one society may seem barbaric to another, but that does not mean it cannot be right. Also, I thought the way Marlow seemed to pass off responsibility in this section was interesting. He says that Kurtz is but a voice, highly persuasive and influential, yet he uses this to justify his fascination with the man. Likewise, when the Russian speaks highly of Kurtz, making him out to be a genius and even proclaiming, "this man has enlarged my mind," (page 91), Marlow makes it seem like the Russian is a gullible fool who has understandably fallen for Kurtz's clever tricks. This idea of a lack of responsibility parallels the lack of responsibility taken by whites in Imperialism. When natives' lives were destroyed, it was said to be for the "good of the cause." When death, calamity, disease and horror were brought to the previously peaceful tribes and villages, the blame was shifted toward the altruistic goals of the white enlighteners. There was no acceptance of mistakes and no guilt or remorse. This, I believe, is the beginning of the idea of a "heart of darkness."


4. My first question is whether Kurtz is truly near death. It has been rumored many times but is yet to be substantiated. If he dies, will Marlow take over?

My second question is whether the Russian will be shown to be insane. He seems flamboyant and merry, but also a bit off of his rocker. His admiration for Kurtz is unusual as well. He blindly accepts the man, obvious flaws and all. Is he crazy or just delusional?

My final question is how Kurtz will handle being forced to return from his station. It has already been documented that he abandoned a ship in order to remain at his station, isolated; will he go without a fight, or will he put up a resistance in order to maintain dignity and power?