Lies and More Lies in Conrads Heart of Darkness :: Heart of Darkness Marlow

Lies in Heart of Darkness After declaring his loving hate of lying it is odd to see the complete reversal of address in Marlow by the terminus of the book. Then perhaps it is not a change but merely an unexpected extension of his character that gives a different dimension to his personality. His statement You know I hate, detest, and cant bear a lie...it appalls me. It makes me miserable and sick, like biting something rotten would do (Long populace 2210) gives what one may rightly consider a very straightforward clean swing music description of the mans moral view and character traits. Yet by the end of the book one may feel he has not completely betrayed their trust but himself and all the values he seemed to embody during the feed in of the story. Marlows interview with Kurtzs Intended was less than the unspoiledy one might pitch expected given his vehement stand on the issue of lying. When he went to speak to her I fully expected him to be completely honest and tell h er the truth. My logic was that if she knew what Kurtz was like in reality her suffering would be eased and she would be able to gain an honest semi-objective view of the man she loved. That shows my modern thinking It soon became clear that she was not going to try for any version of the truth and I found myself hoping that Marlow would lie to her to bleak he the torture of knowing the truth. Her constant interrupting of Marlows dialogue in roll to fill in wonderful, glowing details about the man was a complete revelation as to what she could hear and survive. Marlow says, It was impossible not to neck him she finished eagerly...How true How true (Longman 2244) . Once Marlow has decided to sugar surface the truth he begins to utter non-committal phrases in regards to Kurtz which the Intended finishes His words go away remain, I said. And his example, she whispered to herself. Men look up to him, -- his goodness shone in every act. His example (Longman 2245). I think Marlow be gins to see that he cannot be honest with her when they begin to speak of Kurtzs death. He says, My anger subsided before a feeling of infinite pity (Longman 2245). She was a woman, she was weak, she was alone, and every male magnetic dip within Marlow rose up and prevented him from crushing what was left of her fragile spirit.