Thursday, September 25, 2008
Dimmer (HOD part 1)
The first section of "Heart of Darkness" was positively riddlewd with symbloism, pertaining primarily to the comparison between light and dark, as the terms apply to a state of existance as well as a race. Because Marlow was a white, European man during the time in which he lived (as well as today to an extent), there was the tendency to group all peoples not "civilized" into the western (European, and as the term applies today) tradition as savages, and therefore below the rest of the world. Furthermore, his view of the "savages" as being in the darkness (as it relates to being uninformed of civilized practice, as well as the color of their skin, as well as the feeling that the presence of the natives gave him) further supports the metaphor that he was creating.
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I think it is really interesting there are debates about racism in HOD when there is obvious parallelism between the symbols of the light and dark and race. As you mentioned these terms can be applied to the state of existence as well as race.
Marlow views the savages as being the darkness, an internal problem he carries. For example, Marlow cannot communicate with the Natives because he doesn't want to associate or help; Marlow simply cannot handel the darkness.
Good post Nick! I think you made some great connections between the European man and those who are not "civilized". Keep it up!
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