Kurtz finally passes away, and, at the text's conclusion Marlow decides to visit Kurtz's "Intended," or fiancee. Why does Marlow lie to her about Kurtz's last words? Does his lie reflect any insight he has gained from his trip up the Congo and to "the Heart of Darkness"? Explain.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
I think Marlow lies to Kurtz's "Intended" about his last words because of the whole thing about women being in a different, beautiful world than men that men should not disturb. By relaying Kurtz's real final words to the "Intended," he would have disturbed (tainted seems to be a good word to describe it) her world, especially with the horrors he witnessed and heard about.
Marlow's lie does reflect the insight he gained from his trip up the Congo because he understands the meaning (and lack thereof) of Kurtz's last words and thus does not want to open that can of worms. Kurtz witnessed and took part in many different horrors in the Congo which can be one interpretation of the meaning of his final words, "The horror! The horror!" In going to the Congo, Marlow is placed in a setting extremely different from the society he has been in and thus learns about a whole different world and sees the influence his society is having on it.
Okay, so it seems I have somewhat disgressed, but that's all I really have to say. I must admit that I thought I had an adequate understanding of the book, but after having to answer this, I do not think my understanding is quite right; I am actually confusing myself a bit. Interesting book...
If you had a spouse that you're absolutly devoeted to and couldn't see tehm for more than a year, you would hope that they are doing good things. The intended was completly devoted to Kurtz and felt sad that he was gone, so much so that she has worn mourning clothes for more than a year. Marlow sees this devotion and knows that he can't break her heart by saying his true last words. He lied in order to justify his long absence from her. If she was told the truth, the Intended would feel worse that she has been waiting for a man that was not what she thought he was. Marlow would rather make her accept Kurtz's death under her own vision, what the true Kurtz Marlow has discovered in the Congo.
I think that Marlow's lie reflect the lies coming out of the Congo. People believe that the nothing bad is going on in the Congo. Is it the French? I forget. Either way, what some people thought was a good thing was actually a lie covering murder, discriminaiton, and inhumanity. Marlow discovered the real reason Kurtz got so much ivory but like everyone else, he cannot reveal the true nature of the ivory hunters. He cannot reveal the heart of darkness. He needed to give the Intended closure.
I think that a great number of people would have lied the way Marlow did even without having shared the same experiences as he. But it I notice that Marcie mentioned this as well, that something was mentioned about women living in a different world than men. In the time period it makes sense that women were treated more delicately than men. After weighing his options Marlow obviously arrived at the conclusion that telling the truth would cause more trouble than lying - and at least this way Kurtz's Intended can die happy. ( >.< )
As far as what he learned in the Congo, it has to do with the way he discovered what lay in the heart of darkness, and I got the impression that he just wanted to continue to let the Intended live in her ignorant bubble and not concern her with such matters.
I am a firm believer in the saying, "What you don't know can't hurt you" and in the case of Marlow telling the Intended Kurtz's last words, the statement applies in my opinion. Is it going to hurt her in any way to be lied to regarding the issue - no. Would she have been hurt had he told her the truth? I say yes, taking into consideration her state of constant mourning and feelings of loss. Marlow knew that to tell her what she wanted to hear was the optimal answer to her question.
Is it a result of insight he's gained?...Maybe insight as to what kind of person Kurtz was and that affected his decision concerning what to say to the person that loved him most...hmm
For the sake of sanity, thr intended was given a gift without knowing it by Marlow. Getting told told that your dead fiances last words were about you as compared to "The Horror, the horror!" is probably better. It is disguising the heart of darkness Kurtz knew so well. Kurtz was in the midst of the heart of darkness, not only the congo but also his trade. His life was spent with such and represented his last words. Why press something so dark on an innocent inteneded. It would destroy her for she awaited her love and at least wanted a taste of it in words.
Marlow did a favor for Kurtz's intended. However it was deeper, in that he lied to keep the facade of Kurtz's image.
In other words Marlow was continuing the facade of the European perfection and manipulation, telling Kurtz's intended what she wanted to hear, rather than the ugly truth.
It was another clever metaphor for the white image of beauty and perfection while the inside is "dark".
Kurtz's travels have taught him that although the paradox of what is perceived may be untrue, it is best to keep silent and continue following what is expected of Europeans. He has seen the true darkness, but knows that there is nothing that can really be done except to do what is in his best interest, following what is expected of him.
Marlow lies to Kurtz's intended because of the truth and insight he gained while on his trip to the congo. Marlow learns of the savagery and lack of, by European standards, "civility." Marlow's lie is important in maintaining Kurtz's image that has come through throughout the novel. Kurtz's is not a concrete character, but rather, is portayed in many different ways depending on the person viewing him. In the case of Marlow lying to his intended, this is to maintain the image that she has of Kurtz.
Post a Comment