- “Then I noticed a small sketch in oils, on a panel, representing a woman, draped and blindfolded, carrying a lighted torch. The background was sombre - almost in black. The movement of the woman was stately, and the effect of the torch-light on the face was sinister.” (p. 62)
Marlow discovers the painting
Kurtz has created of a woman who is blindfolded, and carries a torch. Conrad most likely intended the woman to be a representation of the Europeans who have come to change the native Africans' culture. Light usually symbolizes knowledge or discovery, which represents the new customs Europeans are trying to enforce. Being focused on their own culture, the Europeans are unaware that these alterations are negative to the native Africans. The Europeans' lack of acknowledging negativity is denoted by the woman in the painting wearing a blindfold.
(Works Cited)
"Heart of Darkness."
Marketgems.com. Web. 29 Aug. 2009.
http://www.marketgems.com/heartofdarkness/symbolism.html.
(Photo Credit)
Photograph.
Life in the Fast Lane. Web. 29 Aug. 2009. http://www.lifeinthefastlane.ca/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/olympic_torch_bearer_4_sfw.jpg.
how much of this is your thought and how much is the result of the source you've cited -- it's hard to tell where the break is -- as you go into the rest of the year, try to focus on primary sources and create your own connections from there -- you don't have to change this one though -- just something to keep in the forefront as you go forward
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