Sources

Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. New York: Konemann, 1999.

Whitehouse & Company » A small personal design firm. 26 Feb. 2009 .

Body Parts

-Marlow's eyes are dark. Darkness in this novella can be thought of as the inability to see. In other words, failing to see another human being means failing to understand that individual. Furthermore, Marlow fails to establish any sort of emotional bond with him or her. For example, Marlow makes this comment as he reflects on meeting Kurtz alone in the wilderness. He says, "But his soul was mad. Being alone in the wilderness, it had looked within itself and, by heavens I tell you, it had gone mad." (Conrad 66)

-After analyzing Marlow's skin we realized that as a person, he is more interested in the aura of things rather than deep meaning within them. Normally one seeks hidden message or truth, but Marlow does not. At the beginning of the novella, Marlow makes a comment as a preface to the story. He says that, "The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much." (Conrad 7)

-The inside of Marlow's ears revealed to us something very interesting. He is an eavesdropper. Marlow gains a great deal of information about the world around him by observing and listening to others conversations. Example: Marlow once eavesdropped from the deck of the steamer to the manager of the central station and his uncle discussing Kurtz and the Russian trader.

-Marlow's self-esteem is also “broken” or “damaged,” The world has defeated him in some fundamental way.

"Damaged" by Danity Kane

Lyrics:
Do, Do you got a first aid kit handy? Do, Do you know how to patch up a wound? Tell me, Are Are Are Are you, Are you patient, Understanding? Cuz I might need some time to clear the hole in my heart and II've tried every remedy And nothing seems to work for meBaby, (baby)This situation's driving me crazyAnd I really wanna be your ladyBut the one before you left me so

[Chorus]Damaged, DamagedDamaged, DamagedI thought that I should let you know That my heart isDamaged, DamagedSo Damaged, (So Damaged)And you can blame the one beforeSo how you gonna fix it, fix it, fix it (Baby I gotta know)How you gonna fix it, fix it, fix it (What you are gonna do?)How you gonna fix it, fix it, fix it (Baby I gotta know)How you gonna fix it, fix it, fix it (What you are gonna do?)

-Marlow's senses are very skeptical. He is never easily satisfied with others' seemingly innocent remarks such as those made by the Manager and Brickmaker, Marlow constantly attempts to sift through the obscurities of what others tell him. For example, when his aunt speaks to him about "weaning those ignorant millions from their horrid ways" (Conrad 72)

-The size and power of Marlow's bicep muscles reveal his capability and independence as a person. He was able to repair and pilot his own ship.

-Marlow's lips were worn and battered over the years. He must have been a very cynical person. For instance, he makes a comment about Kurtz's background and says, "All Europe contributed to the making of Kurtz, and by and by I learned that most appropriately the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs had entrusted him with the making of a report for its future guidance." (Conrad 49)

-Marlow's mind makes him feel superior to women. Marlow describes a woman as "She walked with measured steps, draped in striped and fringe...had the value of several elephant tusks upon her." (Conrad 137) Marlow describes this warrior woman's magnificent brass ornaments only to put a price on her. In the last sentence here, she is valued at "several elephant tusks." This dehumanizes her and identifies her as an object to be bought at the market with ivory.

This photo explores the ideas of gender roles and expecations that society has developed. Similar themes exist in Heart of Darkness where men take the dominant role and women are inferior. In our own society and culture today, can a golfer wearing slacks be a women? Are firefighters always men. These images above are restroom door magnets to think about and consider social norms that society developed.

Marlows Body Dissection

On this blog you will find the results of an autopsy on Marlow's body from the novella Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. We pulled apart nearly every piece of Marlow's body and discovered some amazing things and about society and culture.