An Analysis of “THE REAL,” As Reflected in Conrad's HEART OF DARKNESS
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Cleveland State University / OhioLINK
2008
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| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1232244552 |
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-csu12322445522021-08-03T05:34:43Z An Analysis of “THE REAL,” As Reflected in Conrad's HEART OF DARKNESS Joyce, Beverly Rose Literature Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad the real reality truth modernism Chinua Achebe Heart of Darkness, as a framed narrative, questions perception and authenticity. It is difficult to discern Marlow's individual voice, for it is buried within a layering of narration. Critics ascribe the words of the text to Marlow, claiming he is the one who, in Achebe's words, dehumanizes Africans. Yet, the quotation marks suggest otherwise. Perception is relevant to an analysis of Heart of Darkness, for it is unclear whose point of view constructs the text, that of Kurtz, Marlow, or the frame narrator. Since the narrative is likely composed of multiple perspectives, it is difficult to determine whose reality it reveals. Marlow questions reality and whether it is feasible to convey one's own life-sensations to another, as does Louis Althusser. Althusser discusses the difference between ideologically determined truth and authentic reality. Modernist writers, such as Eliot and Woolf, seem to agree with Althusser on how it is through great art that one might convey his own lived experiences to another. Marlow attempts to express his reality through his own art, or the story he creates about his time in the Congo. In the text, Marlow claims his goal is to allow others to see him; interestingly, Althusser claims real art allows for one to see, perceive, and feel another's reality. Critics state Marlow is searching for a sense of self in the Congo; however, it seems Marlow actually hopes to find the real, in Althusser's sense. While Marlow might glimpse the real in Africa, he seems disappointed to find reality is something he cannot have in the Western world. In fact, Marlow finds the truth of reality in Africa . . . that it is unreal. Marlow is an always already subject without an authentic voice, which seems to be what he finds horrifying. 2008 English text Cleveland State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1232244552 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1232244552 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
| collection |
NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
Literature Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad the real reality truth modernism Chinua Achebe |
| spellingShingle |
Literature Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad the real reality truth modernism Chinua Achebe Joyce, Beverly Rose An Analysis of “THE REAL,” As Reflected in Conrad's HEART OF DARKNESS |
| author |
Joyce, Beverly Rose |
| author_facet |
Joyce, Beverly Rose |
| author_sort |
Joyce, Beverly Rose |
| title |
An Analysis of “THE REAL,” As Reflected in Conrad's HEART OF DARKNESS |
| title_short |
An Analysis of “THE REAL,” As Reflected in Conrad's HEART OF DARKNESS |
| title_full |
An Analysis of “THE REAL,” As Reflected in Conrad's HEART OF DARKNESS |
| title_fullStr |
An Analysis of “THE REAL,” As Reflected in Conrad's HEART OF DARKNESS |
| title_full_unstemmed |
An Analysis of “THE REAL,” As Reflected in Conrad's HEART OF DARKNESS |
| title_sort |
analysis of “the real,” as reflected in conrad's heart of darkness |
| publisher |
Cleveland State University / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2008 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1232244552 |
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AT joycebeverlyrose ananalysisoftherealasreflectedinconradsheartofdarkness AT joycebeverlyrose analysisoftherealasreflectedinconradsheartofdarkness |
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