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

Lies in Heart of Darkness After declaring his passionate abominate of lying it is odd to see the complete reversal of parting in Marlow by the end of the book. Then perhaps it is not a change except 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 briery something rotten would do (Longman 2210) gives what one may rightly consider a very straightforward clean cut description of the mans moral view and character traits. Yet by the end of the book one may feel he has not only betrayed their trust but himself and all the values he seemed to embody during the course of the story. Marlows interview with Kurtzs Intended was less than the honesty one might have expected given his vehement stand on the routine of lying. When he went to speak to her I fully expected him to be completely honest and tell her the truth. My log ic 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 accept some(prenominal) version of the truth and I found myself hoping that Marlow would lie to her to spare he the torture of knowing the truth. Her constant interrupting of Marlows dialogue in order 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 Love him she finished eagerly...How trustworthy How true (Longman 2244) . Once Marlow has decided to sugar coat the truth he begins to utter non-committal phrases in regards to Kurtz which the Intended finishes His words will remain, I said. And his example, she whispered to herself. Men encounter up to him, -- his goodness shone in every act. His example (Longman 2245). I think Marlow begins to see that he cannot be honest with her when they begin to speak of Kurtzs death. He says, My fussiness subsided before a feeling of infinite pity (Longman 2245). She was a woman, she was weak, she was alone, and every male tendency within Marlow rose up and prevented him from crushing what was left of her breakable spirit.