Key Quotes – Chapters 2 and 3
1)
"Ah, my boy...trust to this–I say, trust to this.‖
As Marlow listens from his boat, the manager worries aloud that Kurtz is turning
the stations into centers of moral improvement and civilization, and more
importantly, wants his job. He is also worried about the Russian. In this quote, his
uncle tells him to trust to the wilderness of Africa, which may take care of the
problem for him.
2) ―It was unearthly, and the men were—No, they were not inhuman.
Well, you know, that was the worst of it—the suspicion of their not
being inhuman.‖
Marlow narrates his realization in this ―unearthly‖ place that the Africans may
not be different than the Europeans, and this is a difficult epiphany for him.
3) "Wood for you. Hurry up. Approach cautiously.‖
This note written by the Russian, found by Marlow’s party at the hut on the way
to the Inner Station, foreshadows the darkness to come.
4) "I authorize you to take all the risks.‖
The Manager tells Marlow he can go ahead upstream into the fog, but Marlow hesitates,
worrying he will ground the steamer. This further shows the ineffectual nature of the
character of the Manager.
5) "I laid the ghost of his gifts at last with a lie.‖
Marlow is narrating his story here, and describing his meeting with Kurtz’ Intended. He
finally gave her Kurtz’s papers, and laid down some of the burden of his experience in
Africa and with Kurtz by lying to her.
6) They - the women I mean – are out of it- should be out of it. We must help
them stay in that beautiful world of their own, lest ours gets worse.‖
When Marlow lies, he maintains the dream world of civilization symbolized by women in
this novel.
7) "You don’t talk with that man–you listen.‖
The Russian is happy to talk to Marlow. He has spent all his time listening to Kurtz. This
reinforces his loyalty, and Kurtz’ authority.
8) "This man has enlarged my mind.―
Ironically, this may not have been for the better for the Russian who said this.
1.
" He made me see things–Things!‖
The Russian stayed up talking with Kurtz all night, and he expanded his ideas. But, Marlow sees
darkness coming from this.
2. He would "forget himself amongst these people....forget himself.‖
The Russian is recounting how he tried to make Kurtz leave and return to civilization. Kurtz
would ―say yes, and then he would remain; go off on another ivory hunt…‖ – he would be
tempted again by greed and the savage part of his soul, and forget his civilized self.
3. "I! I! I am a simple man. I have no great thoughts. I want nothing from nobody.
How can you compare me to....‖
The Russian continues in his loyalty to Kurtz, making excuses about how life treats Kurtz,
justifying his savagery (such as the killing of the rebels and the staking of their heads.
4. "I’ll carry my ideas out yet-I’ll show you what can be done. You with your
peddling little notions.―
Kurtz is reacting to being taken away from Africa by people he sees as having inferior vision.
He has just watched his mistress on the banks of the river.
5. "Because the method is unsound.―
The Manager is referring to Kurtz’s method of obtaining the ivory. He is trying to separate
himself from Kurtz’s inhumanity, however, ironically his methods are not better.
6. "Mr. Kurtz’s reputation is safe with me.‖
Marlow is asked by the Russian not to betray all of Kurtz’s methods to the
Europeans and the Company – to not destroy his false reputation. Marlow has to
make a choice, and chooses tentatively to keep Kurtz’s secrets. Why do you think?
7. "Oh, he enlarged my mind.‖
Again, the Russian trader, this time on his departure to save himself from death, is
remarking on Kurtz’s ―brilliance‖ and remembering poetry they shared. Discuss the
symbol of heads…
8. "You will be lost–Utterly lost.
Kurtz has left the boat, crawling to return to the native camp. Marlow has stopped
him and warns him that if he continues, he will be utterly lost and separated from
the civilized bounds of the earth. This is symbolized by the spiritual man that is
standing nearby in the forest.
9. "Do I not?‖
The natives are on the banks of the river repeating the shouts of Kurtz’s mistress.
Marlow asks Kurtz if he understands ―this,‖ and this is his reply. He has a ―mingled
expression of wistfulness and hate‖ and the words are almost ―torn out of him by a
supernatural power.‖ Do you think he understands?