Kinship?

When Marlow began his story, you could tell that he was critical of imperialism, but not because of what it does to the native people but to the Europeans. Marlow says that participation in imperial enterprises degrades Europeans by removing them from the civilized European society and tempts them into violent behavior because of the hostility and lawlessness of the environment. Marlow also suggests that the mission of “civilizing” and “enlightening” native peoples is misguided, not because he believes that they have a valid civilization and culture already, but because they are so savage that the project is overwhelming and hopeless. Marlow is horrified when he witnesses the violent maltreatment of the natives at the stations, and he argues that a kinship exists between black Africans and Europeans, but also states that this kinship is “ugly” and horrifying, and that the kinship is extremely distant. So Marlow's own attitudes are diffcult to define. Upon visiting the Company's station, Marlow witnesses the brutality and ineffieciency of the sation. He is so deeply troubled by the grove of death in the station that he offers a dying man a few pieces of biscuit.The grove shows the true evils of colonialism which are dehuminization and death.
I also realized that the buzz circulating around Kurtz is very Gatsby-esque. Marlow begins to be fascinated by the mystery of Kurtz and the idealogical descriptions of him. It isn't long before Marlow finds himself very much looking forward to seeing this remarkable man without a face.
posted by Mikaela M.