In pages 10-21, the narrator and Marlow focus on the black workers and racism. Marlow describes the black people who are paddling the boat to be full of life and energy as they are singing. He even saw them to be comforting to watch. He did not see them as criminals or enemies. After seeing some of the black people building a railroad, it seemed he felt bad for them as he thought they were “black shadows of disease and starvation lying confusedly in the greenish gloom” (17). He saw how they were mistreated, starved, and exhausted. However, after Marlow talks or interacts with other people, the reader sees that most of the people are racists. People saw the black people to be ignorant and felt uncomfortable around them. For example, when Marlow talks with Mr. Kurtz, Mr. Kurtz calls the black people savages and says he dates them to death. Also, Marlow himself makes a racist comment when he says the black workers “moved about like ants” (15).
In addition to talking about the black workers, the narrator often contrasts black and white. He talks about the white pupils in the black worker’s eyes. Marlow is even surprised when he sees a white string handing around a black man’s neck. He is confused and wonders why he has it and if it symbolizes something. He also contrasts black and white when he says the jungle is black while it is surrounded with white surf. The waves drowned people in their surf and it seemed that no body really cared if someone died. To the narrator “the voice of the surf heard now and then was a positive pleasure, like the speech of a brother” (13).
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2 comments:
You hit right on with the racism you discussed. This novel is full of racist opinions and comments by all characters. The natives are constantly discriminated against and enslaved to do menial tasks. As you said the whites see the natives as savages. They serve no purpose to the whites except as migrant workers that can be easily replaced. There is no concern for their health or well-being.
I liked how you observed the white string around the native’s neck and the black jungle to the white surf. This black vs. white theme is a constant subject through this novel. Both are seen as good and evil. The flop seems to deal mainly with violence. I liked how you pointed out that the “white” surf engulfed and killed people and that it seems to matter to anyone in power. It is great symbolism of how the whites are conquering the natives and not caring how they affect the lives of the natives. Only one goal is true…anything will be done to ensure the control of the Congo. Good post Katie.
Very nice job. You've made some great observations.
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