The conversation between Marlow and the hooked nose man has me utterly confused. First they were discussed Europe and influential people, which led to the description of Mr. Kurtz. Then there was a long monologue with rhetorical questions and a mentioning of people on Mars. Next the point of view shifted back to the narrator and the boat where Marlow is telling his tale. The point of view changed back to Marlow where he was back at his broken steamer. The hooked nose man, whose purpose in the story and job is altogether is a mystery, was still with him. Being near the broken steamer brought a paragraph about Marlow’s need for rivets. Lastly, the hooked nose man spoke about a hippopotamus having a “charmed life” before leaving Marlow alone. The novel jumped through to many points that I am not even certain that it was Marlow talking the entire time. Can someone please clarify that part for me?
Overall, I don’t understand why anyone is in Africa. Are they there for ivory or for slave labor? It doesn’t seem like any work is being done. Marlow keeps meeting random people however he never explains what exactly that person’s purpose is there. The only character I’m looking forward to meeting is Mr. Kurtz. He is the only person who has a solid introduction and has a presence within the community.
The only group that had a clear reason to be in Africa is the Eldorado Exploring Expedition. However, the motive was greed based with a total lack of common decency and morality. They were an invasion of thieves bent on sacking the land for all its worth.
by Kayla H.
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I think that part of the point is that Marlow himself doesn't really know why any of these guys are there. He thinks their lives are pointless and lame, too! So we as the readers have to figure out why...
ReplyDeleteI think all the men were in Africa because of greed and self-interest, its just that some men took more responsibility upon themselves to reach success as opposed to those Marlow calls "pilgrims" who want wealth and success but do little to gain it. And the fact that many weren't actually doing anything supported Marlow's view that imperialism was a wasted practice.
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