Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad | Part 2: Attack On The Steamer
Summary
TLDRIn 'Heart of Darkness,' Marlow navigates the treacherous Congo, encountering fog and fear of attack. He witnesses the cannibalistic tendencies of the crew and the violent effects of Kurtz's descent into darkness. Marlow's disappointment at not meeting Kurtz reflects the tragic consequences of unchecked imperialist ambitions, as Kurtz's transformation into a brutal figure is seen as a product of European influence rather than an anomaly.
Takeaways
- đ€ The narrative continues from Marlow's journey, highlighting the perilous journey towards the inner station where the manager hesitates to proceed due to the fog.
- đ« The heavy fog and a loud, desolate cry create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, suggesting a possible attack on the steamboat.
- đ Marlow is prepared for action, with the steamboat ready to move ahead if necessary, showing the tension and readiness amidst the hostile environment.
- đ€ The crew's hunger is revealed, as they have only had rotting hippo meat and a few pieces of brass wire to trade for food, indicating their dire situation.
- đč The steamer is attacked by arrows, and Marlow describes the chaotic scene of a human swarm, highlighting the violent confrontation with the native people.
- đĄ The response to the attack is swift and deadly, with the pilgrims firing rifles and a Houseman being struck by spears, showing the brutal reality of colonial encounters.
- đ Marlow's disappointment is palpable as he realizes he may never get to speak with Mr. Kurtz, revealing his deep interest in Kurtz's character and story.
- đź A flash-forward reveals Marlow's reflections on Kurtz's influence and the darkness that claimed him, suggesting a deeper, symbolic struggle within Kurtz.
- đ Kurtz's report for the International Society is mentioned, which argues for the power of the white man over the 'savages,' but ends with a chilling call to 'exterminate the brutes,' reflecting a tragic irony.
- đŁïž The portrayal of Africans in the novella is limited, with most speaking in gibberish or English only twice, raising questions about the authenticity and stereotypes in the narrative.
- đ€ The Intendant is the only woman who speaks in the novella, and Marlow suggests that Kurtz's downfall is due to the absence of civilized influences, tying his actions to a broader critique of European imperialism.
Q & A
What is the setting of the second part of 'Heart of Darkness'?
-The second part of 'Heart of Darkness' is set about eight miles from Marlow's destination at the inner station, where the manager wants to stop until morning due to heavy fog.
What is the initial reaction of the characters to the fog and the desolate cry?
-The initial reaction of the characters is unease and fear, as they contemplate the possibility of an attack, and the fog and the loud desolate cry seem to cut the silence as if the mist itself had screamed.
Why does Marlow Hall secure the steamboat in the chain?
-Marlow Hall secures the steamboat in the chain so that it can move ahead if necessary, as a precaution against potential danger or attack.
What is the condition of the Congolese crew members' food supply?
-The Congolese crew members have only had some rotting hippo meat to eat that they brought along with them and a few pieces of brass wire to trade for food at non-existent trading posts.
How does the fog affect the events that unfold?
-The fog lifts to reveal an attack on the steamer by arrows, creating a sense of urgency and danger that was not apparent before the fog cleared.
What is the nature of the attack on the steamer?
-The steamer is attacked by arrows from naked individuals with glaring eyes, a swarm of human limbs and movements, which Marlow describes as a chaotic and terrifying scene.
How do the pilgrims respond to the attack?
-The pilgrims respond to the attack with a fusillade of rifle fire, indicating a violent and immediate reaction to the perceived threat.
What happens to the Houseman during the attack?
-The Houseman is struck by Spears and dies at Marlow's feet, which prompts Marlow to reflect on the fate of Mr. Kurtz.
Why does Marlow express disappointment about not being able to talk with Mr. Kurtz?
-Marlow expresses disappointment because he had hoped to gain insight or understanding from Mr. Kurtz, who by then is presumed dead.
What does Marlow recall about Mr. Kurtz's influence and possessions?
-Marlow recalls that everything belonged to Kurtz, including his intended, ivory, station, and river, indicating Kurtz's extensive control and influence in the region.
What is the significance of Mr. Kurtz's report for the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs?
-The report signifies Kurtz's initial belief in the potential for whites to exert a positive influence on the 'savages,' but it ends with the chilling directive to 'exterminate the brutes,' reflecting a shift in his perspective.
How does the script portray the African natives and women in 'Heart of Darkness'?
-The African natives are often portrayed as grunting, screaming, or speaking gibberish, and Africans speak in English only twice in the novella. The only woman who speaks, the Intendant, is used to highlight Kurtz's downfall and the absence of civilized influence.
What does Marlow suggest about Kurtz's transformation?
-Marlow suggests that Kurtz's transformation into a figure of violence and possessiveness is not an aberration but an inevitable result of a Eurocentric, imperialist mentality.
Outlines
đ€ Journey and Fog of Uncertainty
The script begins with the continuation of 'Heart of Darkness', focusing on the journey towards the inner station, where the manager decides to halt until morning due to the fog. The heavy fog and a loud, desolate cry that pierces the silence set the scene for potential danger. The crew is uneasy, and the head man of the cannibals suggests a plan to catch someone named Eden. Marlow, the narrator, reveals the crew's hunger and their desperate situation, having only rotting hippo meat and a few pieces of brass wire for trade. The fog lifts, and the steamer is attacked, leading to a violent confrontation where Marlow witnesses the death of the Houseman, which prompts him to reflect on the fate of Mr. Kurtz.
đč Attack and the Darkness Within
This paragraph delves into the violent encounter with the natives, who attack with arrows, leading to a chaotic scene of naked bodies and glaring eyes. The pilgrims retaliate with rifle fire, and the Houseman is tragically killed by a spear, dying at Marlow's feet. Marlow's disappointment is palpable as he realizes he will not be able to speak with Mr. Kurtz, who he believes is also dead. The narrative then shifts to a flashback where Marlow recalls the extent of Kurtz's influence and his claim to the darkness, as well as Kurtz's report for the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs, which paradoxically ends with the call to 'exterminate the brutes'. The paragraph also touches on the limited representation of Africans and women in the novella, suggesting a critique of colonial stereotypes.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄMarlow
đĄMr. Kurtz
đĄImperialism
đĄCannibals
đĄFog
đĄExterminate the brutes
đĄCivilized regulators
đĄDarkness
đĄIvory
đĄPowers of darkness
Highlights
Part two of 'Heart of Darkness' continues with the journey to the inner station, where the manager wants to stop until morning.
A heavy fog and a loud desolate cry cut the silence, creating an atmosphere of tension and fear.
Marlow is in the chain to allow the steamboat to move ahead if necessary, showing the precarious situation.
The whites are uneasy, while the head man of the cannibals has a plan, highlighting the cultural clash and power dynamics.
The cannibals speak in broken English, revealing their communication with Marlow and the crew.
The Congolese crew members are desperate for food, having only rotting hippo meat and brass wire to trade.
The fog lifts, and the steamer is attacked by arrows, illustrating the violent conflict with the native people.
Marlow observes the chaos of the attack, with naked bodies and glaring eyes, capturing the intensity of the situation.
The pilgrims respond with rifle fire, showing the brutal retaliation against the attackers.
A Houseman is struck by spears and dies at Marlow's feet, personalizing the violence and its impact.
Marlow reflects on the death of Mr. Kurtz, indicating the climax of the narrative and Marlow's emotional investment.
Marlow admits his extreme disappointment at not being able to talk with Mr. Kurtz, revealing his motivations and expectations.
A flash-forward reveals Marlow's recollections of Kurtz's influence and power, deepening the character's complexity.
Kurtz's report for the International Society argues for the whites' unbounded power for good, introducing a moral dilemma.
The report ends with the controversial phrase 'exterminate the brutes,' raising questions about colonial attitudes.
Conrad's portrayal of African natives is criticized for its stereotypes and limited English dialogue.
The Intendant is the only woman who speaks in the novella, highlighting the lack of female representation.
Marlow suggests that Kurtz's downfall is a result of the absence of civilized regulators, implicating European society.
The narrative concludes by identifying Kurtz's possessiveness and violence as a product of a Eurocentric, imperialist mentality.
Transcripts
part two of heart of darkness continues
about eight miles from Marlo's
destination at the inner station where
the manager wants to stop until morning
by morning there's a heavy fog and a
loud desolate cry a complaining clamor
cuts the silence as if the mist itself
had screamed contemplating the
possibility of attack Marlowe Hall is in
the chain so that the steamboat can move
ahead if necessary the whites are uneasy
but the head man the cannibals has a
plan and broken English he says catch
him given to us Eden Marlow says he
would have been horrified except he
knows how hungry that crew is the
Congolese crew members have only had
some rotting hippo meat to eat that they
brought along with them and a few pieces
of brass wire to trade for food at
trading posts that don't exist the fog
lifts the head upriver and the steamer
is attacked by arrows Marlow makes out
naked breasts arms legs glaring eyes a
swarm of human limbs and movements the
pilgrims respond with a fusillade of
rifle fire and the bush began to power
the Houseman is struck by Spears eyes
dying at Marlow's feet when he dies
Marlow says I suppose mr. Kurtz is dead
as well by this time Marlow then admits
his extreme disappointment that he won't
get to talk with mr. Kurtz this
reflection prompts another flash-forward
in which Marlow recalls how everything
belonged to Kurtz Marlo hears his voice
saying my intended my ivory my station
my River trying to explain how Kurtz was
claimed by the powers of darkness Marlow
blames the absence of whispering public
opinion Kurtz wrote a report for the
International Society for the
suppression of savage customs which
argues that because whites are like
supernatural beings to the savages we
can exert an unbounded power for good
the report then ends succinctly
exterminate the brutes
in most cases Conrad's African natives
grunt or scream or speak gibberish
Africans speak in English only twice and
heart of darkness the first time in this
section when the cannibals talk about
catching and eating a human being is
this so that we readers hear such
stereotyped behavior firsthand we might
ask the same question about Conrad's
portraits of women in heart of darkness
the Intendant is the only woman who
speaks in the novella Marlowe suggests
that Kurtz's problem is that he's no
longer surrounded by kind neighbors and
policemen the civilized regulators of
public opinion that keep out the powers
of darkness
but when Marlowe says that all Europe
contributed to the making of Kurtz he
identifies Kurtz his possessiveness and
his violence not as an aberration but as
an inevitable product of a euro centrist
imperialist mentality
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