Women are rarely mentioned in the text. Marlow goes so far as to say, "It's queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in a world of their own, and there has never been anything like it, and never can be. It is too beautiful altogether, and if they were to set it up it would go to pieces before the first sunset. Some confounded fact we men have been living contentedly with ever since the day of creation would start up and knock the whole thing over." (1) The only women mentioned are the aunt, the “knitting” women, and the personified pronoun in reference to the sailing vessels Marlow mentions. It seems clear that Marlow believes women to be powerless; however he is reliant upon them to pursue his dream.
At the Central Station Marlow, “noticed a small sketch in oils, on a panel, representing a woman, draped and blindfolded, carrying a lighted torch. The background was sombre--almost black. The movement of the woman was stately, and the effect of the torchlight on the face was sinister.” (1) What is the possible meaning of this important symbol? Look to analyze the specifics of the painting that are mentioned. What might this painting foreshadow about Marlow’s eventual meeting with Mr. Kurtz?
The painting seems to symbolize that women have the ability to be intelligent and amazing. However, they restrict themselves and are ignorant. They limit themselves so they are remotely objects only to be displayed. Mr.Krutz seems think women unequal to men, but this is common of the time. Yet, when Marlow meets Mr.Krutz he may find that Mr.Krutz sees women as being more possessions then people.
ReplyDeleteI think that the painting symbolizes that women have the ability to do anything a man can do but many people are blind to this. Women know that they can but go on unnoticed. As Kristina said, I think that Mr. Kurtz follows the common belief that women are lesser than men. However, this may be proven false to Marlow and Mr. Kurtz before the story is over.
ReplyDeleteI happen to agree with both Becca and Kristina. The painting, to me, symbolizes that men of that time did believe they were superior to women. However, the women knew better. To me it's ironic though; because even though women had an inkling that they were capable to do just as much as men, they did - as Kristina said - seem ignorant. Yes, the men do seem to be blind to the idea of women being equal, and having the capability to be efficient, but I would like to see a women prove the men to be false.
ReplyDeleteThe painting is the first tangible evidence we have of Kurtz even actually existing. As far as we know, all mention of Kurtz up to this point could have simply been word passed on from station to station and he might not actually be a real person. The painting is the first physical "encounter" with Kurtz, and the fact that the painting carries such a dark and ominous feeling with it goes to show what we can expect from Kurtz. At this point, it's fairly obvious that when Marlow eventually goes beyond the Central Station, enters the "Heart of Darkness", and meets Kurtz, bad things are going to happen. The tone and the symbols in the book have been leading to that point since its' beginning. The painting is just one more symbol of darkness in the African jungle, and it is perhaps the most striking symbol so far. The painting is a direct representation of Kurtz, and is the first experience the reader has with him. The painting paints a dark picture of Kurtz himself, making him the shadowy, mysterious figure that resides in the Heart of Darkness that Marlow will inevitably meet.
ReplyDeleteWhen people paint they usually paint what they are feeling. So, I agree with Jacob I think that the painting deals more with Mr. Kurtz than men being ignorant to women. I think that when we first actually meet Mr. Kurtz that he will appear to be a nice and regal person but on the inside he will be dark and sinister. I think he will essentially be wearing a 'mask.' The painting could be about the in superiority of women in the time but I think that it is more about Mr. Kurtz himself.
ReplyDeleteI agree that women are deemed as powerless throughout the book. As I read about the painting, this idea progressed that they truly have no say (being blindfolded brought this out especially) and they are completely controlled by men. This made me consider the relationship of the Africans and Europeans because the Europeans also took control of the Africans. I think that it makes sense to say that the women and the Africans lie along the same path. Since Mr. Kurtz is the painter of the masked woman and he controls the Africans, I think that it's safe to say that his view of women could be reflective of his view of Africans. They're useless, except to do things for him.
ReplyDeleteMitchell Harger Posted: The painting is sending two messages out that have already been stated earlier. As Jacob said, one is the fact that Kurtz physically painted the painting and has such a dark theme in it that one would be led to expect nothing less than when we actually meet Mr. Kurtz. The second is the fact that it is a woman in the painting; the woman represents the viewpoints of woman at that time. Man is the torch, trying to lead the way for the utterly helpless woman, but man is not helping because she is blindfolded anyway. I think it is trying to say something along the lines of women are helpless even with the guidance of man trying to help her. I would hope that's not what it means, but that's what I thought.
ReplyDeleteI believe there is a direct parrallel between women and men, and Europeans and Africans. The men are trying to lead the way for the women, but at the same time its pointless because they are "blind-folded". They can only do so much, but the men still try to limit them. The Europeans are trying to civilize the Africans,but in the same way the Africans are also blind-folded.
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