Heart of Darkness Blog #2

      "We live, as we dream -- alone..." (Conrad 97). What a depressing quote Marlow! This sentence caught me off guard, and it loomed over the narrative throughout the text. Using a dash in literature has the same effect of drawing attention to a phrase or word as enjambment does in poetry. The "alone" is detached from the rest of the sentence, emphasizing the idea of isolation. This word already has a dual interpretation for Marlow. First, he is exploring new lands in Africa; the farther he goes into the 'heart of darkness,' the more isolated he becomes on account of the decrease of European culture and civilization. A second meaning of this word alone could emphasize the distinction of Marlow's goals versus the goals of the other site leaders. At one point in his narrative, Marlow is desperately pushing to attain more rivets for the reconstruction of his steamboat. The weekly caravan would deliver "glazed calico...glass beads... [and] spotted cotton handkerchiefs. [But] no rivets" (Conrad 98). Marlow becomes extremely frustrated with the present situation because his needs could be consoled by "three carriers [who] could have brought all that was wanted to set that steamboat afloat" (Conrad 98). Instead however, the supplies consist of extravagant desires over basic necessities. Marlow is irked by this lack of responsibility and thus feels that his desires are lonely and separate from the desires of the other site leaders. In life, I believe that we are all to some degree alone but in other ways highly connected. Similar aspirations may be shared by a collective group of people; however, the motive behind a specific goal will vary from person to person. For example, some people may join Key Club in an effort to salvage the cruel planet upon which we live. Others may need the community service hours, and still others may want to, ironically, benefit themselves on college applications. I believe that we will never truly be alone because although lives are lived independently with selfish aspirations, group collaboration is desired for a successful outcome.