- “I let him run on, this papier-mache Mephistopheles, and it seemed to me that if I tried I could poke my forefinger through him, and would find nothing inside but a little loose dirt, maybe.” (p. 63)
During this part of the story, Marlow is describing the brick maker as he is rambling on in hopes of getting on Marlow’s good side. Mephistopheles is a name given to one of the chief demons of Christian mythology. Mephistopheles is commonly used as an another name for Satan or the Devil. Mephistopheles is most known for appearing in the Legend of Faust - an evil spirit who sells his soul to the Devil. However, in this case, Conrad portrays the brick maker as a “papier-mache Mephistopheles,” or someone who appears solid, but is really empty on the inside.
(Works Cited)
"Mephistopheles."
Global Oneness. Web. 24 Aug. 2009. http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Mephistopheles/id/524767
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(Photo Credit)
Mephistopheles. Photograph.
Answers.com. Web. 13 Sept. 2009. http://wpcontent.answers.com/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b9/Mephistopheles2.jpg/250px-Mephistopheles2.jpg.
can you go one step further -- why does it matter that the brick maker is hollow?
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