What I found interesting in the novel, "Heart of Darkness" is that Black people are often talked about through out the book. Marlow speaks of them as below him, yet at the same time, he feels a confusion on whether or not to call them humans, he states that there is a "suspicion of thier not being inhuman." So he views these "savages" having simliar qualities to the English. He almost feels for them, referring back to a time when the English were slaves themselves (blogger can not find quote).
From very early on in the novel, Marlow refers to Blacks differently to the White man. He never states that he saw a 'white pale men who blended in with the white sky' (made up example) but he does describe in detail what the african men who are paddling a boat look like:
" It was paddled by black fellows. You could see from afart the white of thier eyeballs glistening. They shouted, sang; thier bodies steamed with perspiration; they had faces like grotesque masks= these chaps; but they had bone, muscle, a wild vitality, an intense energy of moevement, that was as natural and true as the surf along thier coast. They wanted no excuse for being there. They were a great comfor to look at."
This quote alone shows how he views these men. He appears to admire them, yet he points out qualities which appear odd to him. . Marlow refers to this event in the past, so at first, I thought this was from a near past, but since his story is so long, and he mentions other moments where he reacts to african americans. I am beginning to think we are hearing a story from a man who has experienced life for a while. Which makes me question if he will change his opinion over time, or if it will remain the same. At an early point of his story he refers to Africans as "black ants" which shows an animal quality to them. Perhaps his opinion will shortly change since he will be exploring the vast African continent. He is there to learn, and is constantly watching his surroundings, looking at the mysterious, unreachable black faces. Marlow even notes the difference in personality. When the Cannibals reach them, the black men are calm, and pay close attention to what is happening so that they may react well. Meanwhile the white man freaks out for a moment.
From very early on in the novel, Marlow refers to Blacks differently to the White man. He never states that he saw a 'white pale men who blended in with the white sky' (made up example) but he does describe in detail what the african men who are paddling a boat look like:
" It was paddled by black fellows. You could see from afart the white of thier eyeballs glistening. They shouted, sang; thier bodies steamed with perspiration; they had faces like grotesque masks= these chaps; but they had bone, muscle, a wild vitality, an intense energy of moevement, that was as natural and true as the surf along thier coast. They wanted no excuse for being there. They were a great comfor to look at."
This quote alone shows how he views these men. He appears to admire them, yet he points out qualities which appear odd to him. . Marlow refers to this event in the past, so at first, I thought this was from a near past, but since his story is so long, and he mentions other moments where he reacts to african americans. I am beginning to think we are hearing a story from a man who has experienced life for a while. Which makes me question if he will change his opinion over time, or if it will remain the same. At an early point of his story he refers to Africans as "black ants" which shows an animal quality to them. Perhaps his opinion will shortly change since he will be exploring the vast African continent. He is there to learn, and is constantly watching his surroundings, looking at the mysterious, unreachable black faces. Marlow even notes the difference in personality. When the Cannibals reach them, the black men are calm, and pay close attention to what is happening so that they may react well. Meanwhile the white man freaks out for a moment.
Because of all these references, I am beginning that the title of the book, really does deal with Africa and the people that live there. Its a book that describes a mans experience, and what he learned from there. Previous from reading the book, I thought it would be a dark depressive sort of book, which led to a romatic tragedy. I have not yet finsihed the book, but I do know that my first perception of the book was a mistake.
Please fix the capitalization issue.
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