Heart of Darkness- Part 1

[Mia Espinoza]

Nov 2, 2022 22:12:37 GMT -8 Kayla Kim P1 said:

In the introduction to Heart of Darkness in Part 1, we are introduced to the Nellie, a sailboat that is placed in the sea-reach between a river and ocean. The setting is described in brilliance, “the luminous space the tanned sails of the barges drifting up with the tide seemed to stand still in red clusters of canvas sharply peaked, with gleams of varnished spirits. A haze rested on the low shores that ran out to sea in vanishing flatness.” The introduction of the setting in it’s brilliance and light transition to profundity,” forthwith a change came over the waters, and the serenity became less brilliant but more profound.” The setting begins to be described as a metaphor to life and fuller days, “not in the vivid flush of a short day tha.t comes and departs for ever, but in the august light of abiding memories.” The tide of the ocean is described as a to and fro of memories of men and ships “to the rest of home or to the battles of the sea.” The richness in culture and history that had taken place at sea is transcribed into the setting at which it is being described as. A description of the river setting shifts to the historical setting. “The dreams of men, the seed of commonwealths, the germs of empires.” Conquest of the earth is described as darkness, a blind strike against the power of men. The overall introduction uses vivid imagery and descriptive language such as metaphors and similes to compare the history of seamen and the sea-reach.

Hi Kayla,

I agree with your view. Sometimes imagery or figurative language have multiple meanings and it doesn't always mean in a literal way. The mention of the ocean and life has a deeper meaning than what you can read in the text. I think it tells a story in itself and is telling a story to Conrad or perhaps to anyone. It also helps that you have mentioned the dreams, history, and culture throughout the memories. It's that type of setting that helps create the message Conrad is trying to get through or Conrad's way of expressing how he views things because its the way he saw it or was brought up.

[Mia Espinoza]

Nov 2, 2022 22:35:39 GMT -8 Sydney Odron said:

Throughout the book "Heart of Darkness", the author uses vivid imagery to depict the setting of the story as somewhere at sea. Going into detail about the time of day, we can see that the sky is still dark but the sun will almost rise. This is shown when Conrad says “Only the gloom to the west, brooding over the upper reaches, became more somber every minute, as if angered by the approach of the sun.” This so-called "gloom" is repeated a lot throughout the text, describing the sky with the phrase "gloom brooding". This word choice gives the impression of a darkness or unhappiness along with this setting. However, the author contrasts this unhappy gloom with an appreciation for it by saying “enveloping the tale which brought it out only as a glow brings out a haze, in the likeness of one of these misty halos that sometimes are made visible by the spectral illumination of moonshine.” With this, it is as if the people on board this boat are favorable of the dark skies that are present when out at sea. There is another juxtaposition of setting when the author uses the word "yacht" to label this form of transportation. From the rest of the text, it can be inferred that these characters are aboard a ship, almost painting them off to be pirates. However, Conrad uses the modern term of a yacht to describe their voyage. Overall, Conrad uses vivid imagery to instill in the readers a dark and eerie setting of sailors at sea.

Hello Sydeny!

I agree with what you have to say. I also took into account the time of day and how it makes characters feel . The way Conrad specifically describes the darkness of the night and the environment around him including the ocean that he is surrounded by. I also agree with the contrasts you have mentioned between the gloom and the “illumination of the moon”. I think it signifies much more than it is let on. I think that the moon shining is what makes the whole thing an experience to remember and that you aren’t completely in the dark and perhaps alone too.

[Dylan Roby]

The scenery opens with a little ship was berthed in London on the Thames. After describing the river and its slow-moving traffic, the unnamed narrator offers short descriptions of London's history to his companions who, with him, lazily lounge on the deck, waiting for the tide to turn. “The air … seemed condensed into a mournful gloom, brooding motionless over the biggest, and the greatest, town on earth” (65). The four men become thoughtful and brooding as the sun sets; The Nellie is anchored and at rest: “... the only thing for it was to come to and wait for the turn of the tide” (65). The setting of Marlow's tale is introduced before he signs his contract in the city; A narrow and deserted street in deep shadow, high houses, innumerable windows with venetian blinds, a dead silence, grass sprouting between the stones, imposing carriage archways right and left, immense double doors standing ponderously ajar. I slipped through one of these cracks, went up a swept and ungarnished staircase, as arid as a desert, and opened the first door I came to.“ (73).

[nidhi doijode]

“....a cruising yawl, swung to her anchor without a flutter of the sails,” From the first line itself we can tell that this story is taking place on a boat or yacht. The boat’s name is Nellie as stated before this line.
“The sea-reach of the Thames stretched before us like the beginning of an interminable waterway.” As they are continuing their journey on sea they have reached the Thames
“…on board the yacht.” We can finally assume that instead of a boat it's a private yacht with only so many people on there because as per my knowledge on yachts they only have a maximum amount of people on board
“The water shone pacifically; the sky, without a speck, was a benign immensity of unstained light; the very mist on the Essex marshes was like a gauzy and radiant fabric, hung from the wooded rises inland, and draping the low shores in diaphanous folds.” This story takes place in England and it is shown at the beginning to be very dark and lowkey.
“from glowing white changed to a dull red without rays and without heat, as if about to go out suddenly, stricken to death by the touch of that gloom brooding over a crowd of men.”. There is a shift in the wording here. As we have read in the beginning of the book the yacht is very dark but has a sense of serene and calmness until we see sort of a panic with these words.
“Forthwith a change came over the waters, and the serenity became less brilliant but more profound.” As stated above before it was all serene and calm and now its very sharp and in such a panic.
“The Chapman lighthouse, a three-legged thing erected on a mud-flat, shone strongly. Lights of ships moved in the fairway— a great stir of lights going up and going down. And farther west on the upper reaches the place of the monstrous town was still marked ominously on the sky, a brooding gloom in sunshine, a lurid glare under the stars.” Looks like everyone on this yacht is in trouble and this happened all of a sudden. It sounds that the people are in danger because a lighthouse is beaming lights then that is sign of warning.
“Yes; but it is like a running blaze on a plain, like a flash of lightning in the clouds. We live in the flicker—may it last as long as the old earth keeps rolling! But darkness was here yesterday. “ Looks like a storm is rolling in and that it is not safe to be outside which explains the reason for the lighthouse going off.
This story almost sounds like it is a story within a story and that shift is shown when we are in a yacht and then all of a sudden we are in a panic mode it's almost like what happens when we are in like training camp almost like boot camp in the army because when you are in there that is when you are trained to do things when they aren’t planned.

[Ripley Swingle]

Nov 2, 2022 10:35:39 GMT -8 Ashley T said:

Throughout the text “Heart of Darkness”, author Joseph Conrad utilizes vivid imagery and figurative language to put the reader in the position of the characters as well as colloquialism in order to immerse the reader in the dialogue as well as give the reader context on the time period and setting. Towards the beginning of the text the author draws an image of the setting in the readers mind by using figurative speech in addition to vivid imagery. “the sea and the sky were welded together without a joint, and in the luminous space the tanned sails of the barges drifting up with the tide seemed to stand still in red clusters of canvas sharply peaked, with gleams of varnished sprit”. In this portion of the text the author describes the environment surrounding the characters and establishes that they are at sea. The use of figurative language exaggerates the different aspects of their surroundings such as the sea in comparison to the sky and the tide. Colloquialism is also used throughout the text in order to portray the language of the men while at sea, this allows the reader to gain a sense of the time period. “‘I suppose you fellows remember I did once turn fresh-water sailor for a bit,’ that we knew we were fated, before the ebb began to run, to hear about one of Marlow’s inconclusive experiences.“ This quote shows the slang used between the characters shows a general time frame as well as depicts the more relaxed attitude they had at sea.

I agree, the point of colloquialism is important to this book in establishing the time period and setting. Not many people have been on a boat or sailed through the ocean before so establishing the point of view and exact setting is crucial in order for a broad group of readers to visualize. Immersing the reader into a story is hard without using literary elements like figurative language and imagery to display the story. I liked how you used the comparison of the sea, sky, and tide to clearly show Conrad's intentions with exaggerations in the text.

[Ripley Swingle]

Nov 2, 2022 17:13:47 GMT -8 amnakhan123 said:

Within part I of Heart of Darkness, there are numerous references to the setting of the novel, most of which parallel with changes occurring in the plot. For example, within the beginning pages, the author describes the sea-reach of the Thames as “stretched before us like the beginning of an interminable waterway”. From this, we can see that through this description, the author is conveying that, much like the water, the future events in the novel will also be an endless route of discussion and full of challenges for the characters and eventually readers. As for important shifts in setting, it is clear that within the story of Marlow’s previous voyage, the setting is transformed from meditative waterways to a foreign city with “a narrow and deserted street in deep shadow, high houses, innumerable windows with venetian blinds, a dead silence…”. From this, we can see that through the change in setting, the tone of the narrative has also dramatically become more ominous and may possibly be filled with foreshadowing. This indicates that the main force moving the otherwise slow-moving plot would be the intense imagery instilled by the author. As the reader delves deeper into part 1, we also gain historical context about the time period through the author’s vivid descriptions. Marlow recounts the coast with “various places-trading places-with names like Gran’ Brassam, Little Popo; names that seemed to belong to some sordid force…”, implying that the city and many others similar to it, must have been involved in the renowned Atlantic trade of the late 19th century. This provides further insight into the reasons for Marlow’s voyage and his preconceived notions when he first takes off.
Question: Why does the narrator specifically use setting (its effects and indications) to explain an extremely heavy topic, such as colonialism?

Hi Amna!

I really liked your analysis of Part I. The foreshadowing done in the first part of the novel with the ocean being an endless route of discussion and transformation is a good point to make. The shift in setting from Marlow's previous voyage to now changes the tone in narrative and showcases darkness which you discussed with great depth. All the evidence you used perfectly fit with the direction your claims about the novel were going. The explanation after the quotes made sense and gave context to the reasons why you thought those quotes were important. Good Job!

[Joshua Ha]

In the novel "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad, the author effectively utilizes vivid imagery to develop a visible setting. According to the text, "The sun set; the dusk fell on the stream, and lights began to appear along the shore. The Chapman light-house, a three-legged thing erect one mud-flat, shone strongly. Lights of ships moved in the fairway-a great stir of lights going up and down. And farther west on the upper reaches the place of the monstrous town was still marked ominously on the sky…" The author's use of different levels of illumination from the shore to the sea produces a setting that is more vibrant and lively. Additionally the shore's luminance creates contrast with the gloomy town described as monstrous due to the absence of light and its poor visibility.

[Justin Williams]

In the novel Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, detailed descriptions of the setting and use of figurative language displays both the literal and figurative shifts in the environment. Description of the setting begins in the first paragraph, where the wind is described as calm, and with the ship at rest. This description is continued in the second paragraph, with the metaphor “In the offing the sea and the sky were welded together without a joint”, with this metaphor representing the vastness of the ocean before the narrator, so vast that it seems the sky and the sea are bonded together. Later the narrator describes the “vanishing flatness” of the sea, and uses words like “dark”, “gloom”, and “mournful” to describe the mood and weather that hangs over the town. These descriptions give the reader the image of a dark, vast, and foreboding environment, which contrasts with the description of the town, described as the greatest town on Earth. Later in the text, the narrator describes the environment around them once again, however their descriptions change drastically. The narrator states “The day was ending in a serenity of still and exquisite brilliance. The water shone pacifically; the sky, without a speck, was a benign immensity of unstained light; the very mist on the Essex marshes was like a gauzy and radiant fabric, hung from the wooded rises inland, and draping the low shores in diaphanous folds. Only the gloom to the west, brooding over the upper reaches, became more sombre every minute, as if angered by the approach of the sun.” Now this is a long quote, however I feel that nearly every part of it is important to discuss. The new description the narrator gives their surroundings is drastically different to his earlier description, now describing the setting with words like “shone”, “light”, “radiant”, and “brilliance”. This great difference in description represents a shift in the literal weather, however also might reveal a shift within the characters themselves or the town itself. Which leads me to my question, which would be does the drastic shift in setting reflect the mental states of the characters, or represent something else significant in the story?

[alexandra]

The narrator in Joseph Conrad’s short novel Heart of Darkness begins with a description of the Thames (the river that he and the rest of The Nellie's crew are currently anchored at), later shifting to a description of the setting in which fellow crew member Marlow’s exploits take place. The narrator holds evident admiration for the ocean and a disdain for the land, as he illustrates the ocean’s vast reach and grandeur as stretching out before them “like the beginning of an interminable waterway. In the offing the sea and the sky were welded together without a joint, and in the luminous space the tanned sails of the barges drifting up with the tide seemed to stand still in red clusters of canvas sharply peaked, with gleams of varnished sprits” (3). Yet the great expanse of ocean that lays before them is sharply contrasted by the shores and the town behind them, with the narrator enumerating how “A haze rested on the low shores that ran out to sea in vanishing flatness. The air was dark above Gravesend, and farther back still seemed condensed into a mournful gloom, brooding motionless over the biggest, and the greatest, town on earth” (3). This juxtaposition between the splendor of the open sea and the town behind them is only further emphasized when the narrator reluctantly expresses how the captain that he regarded with affection did not work “out there in the luminous estuary, but behind him, within the brooding gloom” (3). The peaceful silence and serenity of the ship is accompanied by a rendition of how “The water shone pacifically; the sky, without a speck, was a benign immensity of unstained light; the very mist on the Essex marshes was like a gauzy and radiant fabric, hung from the wooded rises inland, and draping the low shores in diaphanous folds” (4). However, the author does not fail to once again mention what lays behind him, mourning that “Only the gloom to the west, brooding over the upper reaches, became more sombre every minute, as if angered by the approach of the sun” (4).
The most prominent inquiry that I have at the moment is what Marlow meant when he said that colonization is redeemed by “the idea only. An idea at the back of it; not a sentimental pretence but an idea; and an unselfish belief in the idea—something you can set up, and bow down before, and offer a sacrifice to” (9).

[Richard Gabel]

"the wind was nearly calm, and being bound down the river, the only thing for it was to come to and wait for the turn of the tide."
"In the offing the sea and the sky were welded together without a joint, and in the luminous space the tanned sails of the barges drifting up with the tide seemed to stand still in red clusters of canvas sharply peaked, with gleams of varnished sprits. A haze rested on the low shores that ran out to sea in vanishing flatness. The air was dark above Gravesend, and farther back still seemed condensed into a mournful gloom, brooding motionless over the biggest, and the greatest, town on earth."
"On the whole river there was nothing that looked half so nautical."
"The day was ending in a serenity of still and exquisite brilliance. The water shone pacifically; the sky, without a speck, was a benign immensity of
unstained light; the very mist on the Essex marshes was like a gauzy and radiant fabric, hung from the wooded rises inland, and draping the low shores in diaphanous folds. Only the gloom to the west, brooding over the upper reaches, became more sombre every minute, as if angered by the approach of the sun."
"And at last, in its curved and imperceptible fall, the sun sank low, and from glowing white changed to a dull red without rays and without heat, as if about to go out suddenly, stricken to death by the touch of that gloom brooding over a crowd of men."

[jordyn]

    In the novel Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad depicts the surroundings of his work through vivid and descriptive imagery allowing its readers to immerse in the area and environment the story places the characters in. At the start of the novel the author describes the ship called the “Nellie” that the narrator and his comrades are on over the “Thames River” (pg.3). However, it is no ordinary river, but a river of “mournful gloom, brooding motionless” in what the narrator portrays “the sea and sky welded together…in the luminous space” of “the biggest and greatest town on earth” (pg. 3). The first page is already rampant on the details of this sea that the story is set around, but the diction of bleak backdrop adds to the setting as it affects the mood of the ship causing them to relay words “lazily” (pg. 4). “For some reason or other we did not begin that game of dominoes. We felt meditative, and for nothing but placid staring” (pg. 4). In the moment of the “sun set[ting]” and while the ship was “at rest” the atmosphere shifted. The narrator describes this moment of sitting on the dock as “meditative” (pg.4). This contradiction of the air of the sea to the feelings and thoughts of the narrator causes this shift from drastic gloom to a peaceful and calm setting.
    As the sun sets, so do the waterways of the sea.The crew then begins “to appear along the shore” (pg. 6) switching settings to the shore where they see a lighthouse. The story eases into the setting really slowly by describing the “traffic of the great city…in the deepening night upon the sleepless river” (pg. 9). With the city and river awake the crew aboard the ship were “waiting patiently…till the end of the flood.” There was a somber and still atmosphere, a perfect setting to tell a story in which Marlow opens up about what the narrator describes as “inconclusive experiences” (pg. 9).
    In all, the setting in the first part of Heart of Darkness describes the still moment in a gloomy atmosphere, perfect for storytelling, but with all these shifts between describing the sea as gloomy, but the mood so calm, what purpose do these contradicting descriptions entail about the setting? Does it foreshadow events that are going to be told in Marlow’s story or in future events? What does the author want to point out about these differences? Is there a central theme that is being told through the setting? 

[leilanibenton]

Nov 2, 2022 13:19:48 GMT -8 Emberly G. said:

In the "Heart of Darkness" the author Joseph Conrad applies different uses of imagery and figurative language to his text to share vivid mental images to the readers. These uses not only help add detail to the setting but add to the story itself. "...The flood had made, the wind was nearly calm, and being bound down the river, the only thing for it was to come to and wait for the turn of the tide..." This quote states the surrounding area and gives the reader an idea of the setting, but as the story continues Conrad gets more detail oriented nites. "...A haze rested on the low shores that ran out to sea in vanishing flatness..." This quote uses imagery and personification to give a marine layer a mysterious tone. Stating that it is vanishing is just another way to state it has vastness, using certain diction can help the reader imply that there is more to the story, that the sea adventure is not a lighthearted trip, but one that is a challenge. This can be referred back to HTRLAP to chapter "Every trip is a quest". Examples of physical blocks may allude to mere mental blocks, this can help one to understand that there is more to be gained from the trip. Perspectives alter the story, certain things change in accordance to our own beliefs, if the sea is intimidating then the story may share a coming of age message, where overcoming the sea storm is really overcoming the obstacles of life.

Hi Emberly!
I really like the points you made when you said that the diction helps imply that there is more to the story and how Marlow's adventure is a challenge. I also liked how you related Heart of Darkness back to How To Read Literature Like A Professor, stating that it correlated with the "Every Trip is a Quest" chapter. When you said that the physical blocks may allude to mental blocks really stood out to me, disclosing that Conrad has an underlying message beneath the blocks that may be hindering Marlow physically. Your sentence wrapping the discussion up was a very good point, his adventure at sea could be revealing messages about his obstacles of life.

[leilanibenton]

Nov 2, 2022 14:55:23 GMT -8 Kendal Bulman said:

The text “Heart of Darkness”, by Joseph Conrad, begins with a peaceful setting to create a slow, vivid start that eases the reader into the story. Such is shown through the introduction of “The flood had made, the wind was nearly calm, and being bound down the river, the only thing for it was to come to and wait for the turn of the tide” (Conrad 65). However, this also gives way to the inference that the calm water will change to unrest and possible excitement. The text later states, “Afterwards there was silence on board the yacht. … We felt meditative, and fit for nothing but placid staring” (Conrad 66).The author connects the sea to the concept of serenity to give an understanding of the narrator’s enjoyment of being on the water. As the story progresses from day to night saying, “The sun set; the dusk fell on the stream, and lights began to appear along the shore” (Conrad 67), it reveals a shift in mood. The darkness creates a new environment that foretells a dark and restless setting that creates unsettling feelings within the reader. However, even as the setting darkens and the surroundings become unfamiliar, the author instills confidence in the narrator through saying, “One ship is very much like another, and the sea is always the same. In the immutability of their surroundings, the foreign shores, the foreign faces, …” (Conrad 67). This emphasizes that even as the narrator is unsure of their surroundings, they are confident being on the water and understanding the sea. One question is why the setting shifts from calm to unsettled so quickly, when the story has barely begun?

Hi Kendal!

I really like the point you made when you said that the calm water will change into possible excitement. Your point not only states that not only the story will get exciting, but also the water will contribute to some of it. When you said that the author connects the sea to the concept of serenity, it pointed out something that I had not originally noticed within the story. You said that when the story progresses to night the narrator begins to feel unsure of his surroundings, but ultimately is confident at sea. I really like that point made, and I feel that the narrator's enjoyment at sea and it being his serenity really highlights this as well, as you previously had mentioned. To answer your question, I feel that the rapid shift in setting can maybe reveal that within this story there is never a dull moment, which can connect to Conrad's adventure throughout the Congo. That was just one thing that I noticed, but overall I really enjoyed your discussion!

[ella]

The novel, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, primarily takes place within the late nineteenth century within the Belgian-controlled Congo Free State. At that time, Europe controlled immense empires around the world, meaning places just like the Congo were subject to awful viciousness within the benefit of stripping absent and sending out gigantic sums of common assets. Within the case of the Belgian Congo, dealers constrained Africans into servitude to back the extraction of ivory for a rapidly expanding worldwide advertisement. Marlow’s travel into the Congolese insides dynamically uncovered the savagery and ravenousness of individual agents of the Company, the Belgian venture Marlow works for. In any case, indeed in spite of the fact that European realms were at their top, numerous Europeans remained within the dim vicinity of the colonies and what happened there. Marlow demonstrates as much early within the novella. “The word ‘ivory’ rang in the air, was whispered, was sighed. You would think they were praying to it. A taint of imbecile rapacity blew through it all, like a whiff from some corpse. By Jove! I’ve never seen anything so unreal in my life. And outside, the silent wilderness surrounding this cleared speck on the earth struck me as something great and invincible, like evil or truth, waiting patiently for the passing away of this fantastic invasion.” This quote, from the fourth section of Part 1, offers Marlow’s initial impression of the Central Station. The word “ivory” has taken on a life of its own for the men who work for the Company. To them, it is far more than the tusk of an elephant; it represents economic freedom, social advancement, an escape from a life of being an employee. The word has lost all connection to any physical reality and has itself become an object of worship. Marlow’s reference to a decaying corpse is both literal and figurative: elephants and native Africans both die as a result of the white man’s pursuit of ivory, and the entire enterprise is rotten at the core. Cruelty and greed are both part of a greater, timeless evil, yet they are petty in the scheme of the greater order of the greater world.

[miranda c]

The 'Heart of Darkness' starts off with a peaceful and serene scene to set the mood of the rest of the text. Conrad states, "The flood had made, the wind was nearly calm, and being bound down the river, the only thing for it was to come to and wait for the turn of the tide." His initial statement of their whereabouts causes the reader to think the story line is continuously still and undisturbed. His unending affirmations about their surroundings being calming shows the reader how he is trying to push this tranquil narrative onto us. He states, "Between us there was, as I have already said somewhere, the bond of the sea." Conrad builds up this portrayal of their environment in order to tear it down even harder. He announces, "Forthwith a change came over the waters, and the serenity became less brilliant but more profound...The tidal currents runs to and fro in its unceasing service, crowded with memories of men and ships it had borne to the rest of home or to the battles of the sea." His explanation of how the wind and sea change so easily can be a reference to how life can change effortlessly. Conrad's description of the book's setting and how it is constantly changing can call back to how life takes sudden turns unexpectedly and people just have to be prepared for whatever gets thrown at them.