Contrast Kurtz’ black mistress with his intended. What is the
function of each?
The contrast between Kurtz’ mistress and his intended not only
supports his major theme of the difference between dark and light, good and
evil, but it also serves as a metaphor for Africa and Europe. Each woman is the
embodiment of how Kurtz perceives the environment where they live and the
period of his life. Marlow even describes Kurtz’ in an extremely dark and
mysterious way, reminiscent of the forest, “She was savage and superb,
wild-eyed and magnificent; there was something ominous and stately in her
deliberate process.” This woman is proud, exotic, and alluring; everything that
a woman in Europe cannot be at this time. His intended represents what a
“proper woman” is, pale, pure, capable, but out of sight. His intended is meant
to stand meekly behind Kurtz, yet the African Queen strides throughout the
forest claiming territory as her own, even providing her influence over Kurtz. Kurtz
also uses each woman as an output for each facet of his personality, the
rational and irrational; of course the black and unconventional mistress
supports the irrational or bad side.
Your contrast between the two characters was excellent! I really enjoyed how you chose to discuss the symbolism the two women and their differences hold. Couldn't these two women also be representative of the power structures and societies found in the contrasting Africa and Europe? Also, are there any times where the roles switch between the two, meaning that the mistress becomes the focus of more of Kurtz's romantic interest while his intended is forgotten? Would this mean that the roles of good and bad have changed or that Kurtz has simply given in to more of the bad? This was a great response to the prompt!
ReplyDeleteThere are many instances of contrast found in the novel. This may be the most evident of all of these contrasts. Interestingly, the African woman is more wild but in a way more life-like. This really displays the idea that civilization is simply established to restrain what is natural for humans. In a way, to be civilized is not natural. Children are taught from birth to fight natural tendencies, whether it is through bathroom training or minding their manners. Society trains us to behave in a certain way. This is what separates us from savagery. Savagery simply cannot function in a civilization, because it opposes conventional civilized society.
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