Christopher Marlow's Journey Into The Congo

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At the onset of Marlow’s journey into the Congo River, we witness a man characterized by a fervent desire to explore the unknown; moreover, as a child, Marlow was fascinated by the map of the world. Furthermore, his propensity to explore the Congo stems from his fascination of the unknown – the fact that the interior of the Congo had yet to be fully explored perplexed him and impelled him to visit the region as an adult. Marlow’s propensity to explore the unknown amalgamated with his passion for sailing ultimately brings him to the African Subcontinent. However, as Marlow’s narrative progresses, he begins to realize that his revulsion and contempt for the African people had silently disconnected from his persona as he witnesses the atrocities …show more content…

Subsequently after Marlow boards a steamer ship to make his voyage towards Africa, he notices a boat full of “black fellows” with “grotesque masks” [Conrad 18]. This initial description of black people by Marlow evokes the prima facie assumption that Marlow’s perspective on these peoples is merely a reflection of the society in which he grew up in; moreover, his observation illustrates the collective superiority complex of European society that was imposed on the Africans. As the narrative progresses, one continues to witness the blatant racism that Marlow incessantly radiates; moreover, he constantly refers to the natives as “savages” [Conrad 20] which elucidates Marlow’s disposition towards them. In several instances can one observe the transformation that Marlow undergoes regarding his perspective of the natives. As Marlow approaches the Congo, he observes a French warship firing into the continent, presumably directed at the natives. Additionally, the people around him refer to the African people as “enemies” [Conrad

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