Pages 114-116
The detail and dialogue in Heart of Darkness implies that the crew is now surrounded by natives. They had just passed a pile of wood and a note for them saying "Wood for you. Hurry up. Approach cautiously." Was this what the unknown author meant? There are natives that may attack? "A cry, a very loud cry, as of infinite desolation, soared slowly in the opaque air." Since Conrad never gives meaning to the natives language the question is left what does this cry mean? Was it just a call for all the natives or was it the warning call for the people on the steamer.
There is a thick fog around the steamer, most of the day and night. Is this the reason that the African's live there to trap their victims? Or maybe they are just curious as to who is passing by and what they want.
Yes, i think it is that the natives may attack, the place is pretty hostile, and caution in africa is the name of the game when it comes to survival. I wouldn't chock up the call to their language, as i think he would make some sort of hint that it was the language and not some cry before dying.
ReplyDeleteMight have even been a warning that the steamer was coming if that's wrong though
I think that it was indeed a warning call for those on the steamer. The natives are curious to see who passes by yet I don't think they live there just for the purpose of attacking/trapping them.
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