Posted by SDG on July 18, 19100 at 11:33:55:

Well, I hope to God I haven't eaten of the insane root what takes the reason prisoner, but wotthehell, this is just too good to resist. -- First, take the name "Marlow" without an e on the end. Why that name, hmmm? Is it because Conrad has only six letters and "mar" means 'sea', as in 'low sea'? Or is it a not so oblique reference or allusion to Christopher Marlowe of "Dr. Faustus" fame?

So this brings me to the next interesting comparison, between Kurtz and Faust. But which one strikes you as more apt, Marlowe's Dr. Faustus or Goethe's Faust? In any case, one would then be compelled to think of the alchemical aspects of the novel with all the ramifications of science vs. soul, mind vs. instinct, materialism vs. humanism, and how all these opposing aspects must be integrated in one who is to be fully human, and which are somehow not integrated but set at opposite extremes in Kurtz and the outward physical manifestations of "pilgrims" and natives.

Also, I've been thinking that the novel might well have Platonic influences from the allegory of the cave, especially as shown in the fire and torch imagery posed with shadow and illusions, moving along with the narrative and the journey which has everything to do with image and ideal. Also, the colors of fire and lights nicely conjoin with the colors of the map and the "harlequin" clothes of the Russian, very possibly the 'new Kurtz' as L. Swilley puts it.

P.S. -- thank you for being so insightful and brilliant, Mr. Swilley.

Follow Ups:

• More finickety comparisons w/ HofD: Augustine vs. Pelagius; Wittgenstein; John Donne, etc. (what’s that you say?) SDG 06:18:48 7/28/100 (2)
  • Re: More finickety comparisons w/ HofD: Augustine vs. Pelagius; Wittgenstein; John Donne, etc. (what’s that you say?) Guy 21:15:21 8/16/100 (1)
    • "I'll be your Galen, Plato, and your guide" [ref. Rumi] SDG 06:36:57 8/18/100 (0)

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