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Heart of Darkness Power Quotes Page 1
Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
"I am sorry to own I began to worry them. This was already a fresh departure for me. I was not used to get things that way, you know. I always went my own road and on my own legs where I had a mind to go. I wouldn't have believed it of myself; but, then – you see – I felt somehow I must get there by hook or by crook. So I worried them. The men said 'My dear fellow,' and did nothing. Then – would you believe it? – I tried the women. I, Charlie Marlow, set the women to work – to get a job. Heavens! Well, you see, the notion drove me. I had an aunt, a dear enthusiastic soul. She wrote: 'It will be delightful. I am ready to do anything, anything for you. It is a glorious idea. I know the wife of a very high personage in the Administration, and also a man who has lots of influence with,' etc. She was determined to make no end of fuss to get me appointed skipper of a river steamboat, if such was my fancy." (1.20)
Marlow’s desire to travel to Africa makes him seem greedy. He bothers his family and friends with his requests and eventually is rewarded by an aunt with powerful connections.
"I got my appointment – of course; and I got it very quick. It appears the Company had received news that one of their captains had been killed in a scuffle with the natives. This was my chance, and it made me the more anxious to go […] through this glorious affair I got my appointment, before I had fairly begun to hope for it." (1.21)
Marlow shows a heartless greed by rejoicing in another man’s death simply because it frees up a position for him to carry out his dream. It is not until months later that he even bothers to find out the dead man’s name or to try to pay respects to his passing.
"I had no difficulty in finding the Company's offices. It was the biggest thing in the town, and everybody I met was full of it. They were going to run an over-sea empire, and make no end of coin by trade." (1.22)
It is obvious that the Company values profits over everything else. Its greed has already made its offices "the biggest thing in town" and has swelled the heads of its employees so that they are "full of it." They have great plans for the future, envisioning themselves colonizing overseas and building a huge trading empire to make further profits.
