lieshod The Lies in Conrads Heart of Darkness Essay...

The Lies in Heart of Darkness nbsp; A lie, as defined by Websters dictionary is 1) a false statement deliberately presented as true; 2) to convey a false image or impression. It is generally accepted that Marlow told a lie to the Intended - the reasons for that lie are debatable. I would suggest that he told not just one lie, to the Intended, but several - that his visit itself was, in a form, a lie. nbsp; The statement easily recognized as a lie, and that falls into Websters definition 1), is Marlows deliberate falsification of Kurtzs last words - The last word he pronounced was - your name (Longman p. 2246), when we all know that Kurtzs last words were, The horror! The horror!(Longman p. 2240). Marlows intentions -†¦show more content†¦He begins to soften and justify his stance when he says, I know that the sunlight can be made to lie, too...(Longman p. 2243). He makes a distinction - just as the dictionary does - between intentional/deliberately false statements and the more subtle portrayal of a false image/impression. Marlow struggles with this concept throughout the novel - the gray areas shift and expand while Marlows righteous hatred of lies slowly dissolves. He chooses to protect the image/impression of Kurtz - indirectly protecting his own image/impression through association and saves the Intended from the harsh reality of the truth. Marlow recognizes a moral strength in the Intended which he describes as a mature capacity for fidelity, for belief, for suffering (Longman p. 2244) but, in the end he deems her character not strong enough to endure the truth and implications of Kurtzs real last words. Marlow appointed himself the guardian of the faith that was in her...that great and saving illusion(Longman p. 2245). This opinion of her is based on his preconceived notions regarding women in general. Its queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in a world of their own...It is too beautiful altogether...(Longman p. 2199). nbsp; Marlow is, in a sense, a pawn in these events. Because he does not have a clear understanding of his experiences or of their effect on him personally - he walks into the meeting with the Intended with no principles; no inner