Intro Paragraph for Conrad

Marlow's journey into the Heart of Darkness clearly didn't come without serious repercussions. His mind was tested and pushed as far as it could go. He was left to bare witness to Kutz's fall into insanity. His own mind began to lose it's touch with reality, but he was able to escape before it was too late. As a reader, we can observe what is happening without ever being in the actual situation. We often will associate neurotic behavior and detach ourselves from the characters and the author. Ross Murfin and Fredrick Karl presented a different view point. They displayed a platform of dropping the facade that we aren't like these characters. Once we do, we realize how similar we are to them, and begin to put ourselves in their positions. When this happens, we are forced to challenge ourselves as if we are in the boat going down the river, and wonder what we would do.

Psychological journey

It is evident that the journey Marlow went on severely altered his mind. His constant struggle to articulate events as well as his repetition and out of order speech are evidence of his mental disturbance. He started the journey a confident man, but came back damaged and unable to comprehend what happened exactly on his horrid journey.

Blog 6

Kurtz was sending a warning through the painting. He was trying to convey that this lighted torch that represents the western values is being led by a blind source. The english who are attempting to bring their lifestyle to Africa are blind to facts that by doing so, they are causing more kaos then they are help.

#2 on page 429, Heart of Darkness

Marlow offers an account of England in Roman times to describe and show the similarities between then and now, England and Africa. Marlow is equating the Roman citizens who as punishment were sent to England, as in his day, English men going to Africa. He views Africa very unfavorably, and views it as his own banishment and prison that he is about to go to.