HOD #8

“I felt as though, instead of the center of a continent, I were about to set off for the center of the Earth” (p.10). Throughout the book Marlow tends to use imagery while telling his story, trying to recreate his feelings as best as possible. He may sometimes exaggerate a little bit, but he succeeds at getting through with his listeners. Here he emphasizes the unknown ahead of him, and the feelings of importance that he has. Conrad applies imagery in Marlow's story; which establishes the overall effect it may have on the reader.

HOD #7

“’I am not such a fool as I look, quoth Plato to his disciples,’ he said sententiously, emptied his glass with great resolution and we rose” (p.9). The narrator quotes a man who had quoted Plato, a Greek philosopher. According to MSN Encarta, Plato is one of the most creative and influential thinkers in philosophy. The man that the narrator spoke to quoted Plato, the founder of the first European university, which demonstrates that the author is educated and interested in philosophy.
“Plato.” MSN Encarta. 17 Aug. 2009. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761568769/Plato.html

HOD #6

“Only just as I began to think of getting out of her way, as you would for a somnambulist, stood still, and looked up” (p. 7). The definition for a somnambulist is someone who walks around in their sleep (http://www.english-test.net). Marlow explains how this woman walked towards him, in a sort of uninterrupted way. To him, she walked as a somnambulist would, and he felt as though he needed to make room to let her pass. Although Polish, Conrad has created one of the most acclaimed bestsellers in the English language. Part of the reason for his success is the unique vocabulary used throughout the novel, and shown here.
“English Grammar Exercises”. Free English Tests. 17 Aug. 2009. http://www.english-test.net/

HOD #5

“They were men enough to face the darkness” (p. 4). The narrator (now Marlow) is saying how you have to be tough to encounter the darkness, the unknown. In the time period when the author wrote this novel women were still not thought capable of many things. Times have changed immensely and women now are known to be able to do just as much as men. However, when Conrad was writing this book in the late 1800’s, this was a common theme, and is shown vividly here.

HOD #4

“Their minds are of the stay-at-home order, and their home is always with them - the ship; and so is their country - the sea” (p.3). The narrator explains the importance of a seaman’s ship. He compares seamen’s ships to their homes, saying that being on their ship is where they feel safe. The narrator expounds upon the idea that the sea is comparable to the seaman’s country. It is much bigger than their ship and there are many unexplored places within the sea; but a seaman is still comfortable there. Joseph Conrad emphasizes the importance of the sea and the ship to seamen, and how they never feel the same anywhere else.

HOD #3

“It had known and served all the men of whom the nation is proud, from Sir Francis Drake to Sir John Franklin, knights all, titled and untitled - the great knights-errant of the sea” (p. 2). The narrator dives into more detail concerning the importance of the Thames. According to MSN Encarta, Sir Francis Drake was one of the great explorers of the Elizabethan age and Sir John Franklin was a British officer and explorer of the Arctic. Both of these important men had traveled on the Thames, which may be why Conrad references them.
MSN Encarta. 17 Aug. 2009. http://uk.encarta.msn.com/

HOD #2

"We looked at the venerable stream not in the vivid flush of a short day that comes and departs forever, but in the august light of abiding memories" (p. 2). The narrator is only beginning to hint at how important the Thames is. He respects it greatly and seems to feel honored to be sailing on the same river that has partaken in so many great things. He is emphasizing how they viewed it not as a great river, but as extraordinary. By relating to this river in the very beginning of the novel, Conrad's extreme feelings are presented for the Thames, England’s greatest river. It has been said that almost all of the events worth noting in English history have included the Thames as their setting.

“A Historical Perspective.” The River Thames. 11 Aug. 2009.
http://www.the-river-thames.co.uk/history.htm