Heart of Darkness Dialectical Journal

8496 Words34 Pages
Heart of Darkness Dialectical Journal Chapters 1-3 | Heart of Darkness | Text and Main Ideas | Reaction and Details | | | 1. “Between us there was…the bond of the sea. Besides holding our hearts together through long periods of separation, it had the effect of making us tolerant of each other’s yarns – and even convictions” (Conrad 1). | The power and relationship the sea and the sailors hold is strong and forceful. The sea draws the sailors closer to one another. While being out on the sea for long periods of time, the sailors shared stories, memories, and images from their lifetime. This sharing led to the sailors understanding and realization of the varying personalities between each other, creating a stronger bond and importance of the sea. | 2. “They were conquerors…They grabbed what they could get for the sake of what was to be got. It was just robbery with violence, aggravated murder on a great scale, and men going at it blind-as is very proper for those who tackle a darkness. 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. What redeems it is the idea only” (Conrad 4). | Through narrative structure, Marlow’s viewpoint of imperialism is reflected, revealing the blindness of conquering. The morals of the conquests have no effect on the actions taken because no logical thought is put into them. The conquerors simply take blindly without knowing or understanding the outcome and severity of the consequences from their actions. Marlow’s viewpoint of the reason for conquest is reflected as ultimately pointless, for we take away other people’s belongings based on small differences in appearances. He then states the only justifiable reason for these actions is the “idea,” which is the leader or
Open Document