Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence:
I am sitting in my bedroom and holding Conrad's Heart of Darkness; I do not know what to expect. Perhaps, I should expect a lunatic raving about rivets for two thousand pages. Perhaps, I should expect to hear the voice of my AP English teacher preaching, "The Horror! The Horror!" Perhaps, I should expect Marlow himself to leap from the pages and dictate his feelings aloud to me. Or, perhaps I should open the book, crack the spine, and listen for the flutter of the brown pages as I read.
Marlow is the main protagonist of the novel. He and I, as I like to say, have a special connection. He spins his yarns of seamanship; I spin yarns of didactic essay-writing. I focus concretely on morality, and I am brutally honest. Marlow does the same; he is not withered in his explanations for the good of human decency. He is punctual and enjoys an elaborate diction. As can be told, I do too (not "stuffy"- descriptive). Marlow carries a peaceful gaze- he sits like a Buddha, palms up in a deific fashion. I too carry a peaceful manner. But, it is not only that we share similar traits- he is my authority.
Marlow is clearly intelligent, eloquent, couth- not a man cut-and-dried for manual labour. He is mindful, and yet he is an intermediate between the two extremes introduced in his story- the Company, and Kurtz. He is insightful, and yet he is a natural philosopher. If only I was a natural philosopher! To sit and think, and be unsaddled with the burden of Western problems would be freedom from this occult savagery- Marlow must be the only character in books I've read to reach complete mental utopia. The eloquence seen in Marlow is odd- to think a seaman capable of such raconteuring abilities seems foolish. However, looks are deceiving. I find these qualities particularly admirable in him- it is important to stay at least relatively intermediate on topics of money, politics, and power. For instance, Marlow serves as the leeway between the Company and Kurtz- he is neither inclined towards dominating savagery, nor towards the consumption of money and profit. This venerable- to be in the middle is to see both sides from an equal distance. Although I acknowledge myself to not hold this perspective at all times, I remember it to be very important. Marlow is also incredibly observant- I wish to be so as well. To notice things on all levels can be very practical. It goes well with the 'calm medium' of his personality. These traits are imperative.
However, Marlow portrays several qualities which make him all too human. Perhaps, it is because he is the alter-ego of Conrad himself. In Heart of Darkness, Marlow describes a journey up the Congo River. This journey was, in fact, taken by Conrad himself (although not necessarily in the same pretext). And it is through Marlow that I identify with Conrad. Conrad is, first and foremost, an amazing writer. Stylistically, he is very controlled, and yet he successfully remains unpredictable with his plot manoeuvres. As an aspiring writer, I look up to people like Conrad for their capabilities. I, too, would like, one day, to write a story in the style of Conrad; perhaps, I should just adapt a Marlow of my own.
Despite initial repulsion, I have come to terms that I like Heart of Darkness because of the humanity I find in Marlow. He is not ordinarily a character people would think to look up to; he is slightly offbeat and a bit too mellow to serve as an interesting, multi-foiled main character. I like him for these reasons- I, too, am slightly offbeat. At the same time, Marlow is very intriguing- he is quite observant, and has a variety of perspectives. He serves as an equidistance between opposite extremes. This is admirable- it is not a quality most people seek to have. Marlow's temperament is soothing, and he manages to stay sane through his ordeal. It is this humanity which I seek to emulate; I am full of hope that this will one day occur.
~
Please critique my essay in a constructive manner. I shall be sure to return the favor.
Thanks!
I am sitting in my bedroom and holding Conrad's Heart of Darkness; I do not know what to expect. Perhaps, I should expect a lunatic raving about rivets for two thousand pages. Perhaps, I should expect to hear the voice of my AP English teacher preaching, "The Horror! The Horror!" Perhaps, I should expect Marlow himself to leap from the pages and dictate his feelings aloud to me. Or, perhaps I should open the book, crack the spine, and listen for the flutter of the brown pages as I read.
Marlow is the main protagonist of the novel. He and I, as I like to say, have a special connection. He spins his yarns of seamanship; I spin yarns of didactic essay-writing. I focus concretely on morality, and I am brutally honest. Marlow does the same; he is not withered in his explanations for the good of human decency. He is punctual and enjoys an elaborate diction. As can be told, I do too (not "stuffy"- descriptive). Marlow carries a peaceful gaze- he sits like a Buddha, palms up in a deific fashion. I too carry a peaceful manner. But, it is not only that we share similar traits- he is my authority.
Marlow is clearly intelligent, eloquent, couth- not a man cut-and-dried for manual labour. He is mindful, and yet he is an intermediate between the two extremes introduced in his story- the Company, and Kurtz. He is insightful, and yet he is a natural philosopher. If only I was a natural philosopher! To sit and think, and be unsaddled with the burden of Western problems would be freedom from this occult savagery- Marlow must be the only character in books I've read to reach complete mental utopia. The eloquence seen in Marlow is odd- to think a seaman capable of such raconteuring abilities seems foolish. However, looks are deceiving. I find these qualities particularly admirable in him- it is important to stay at least relatively intermediate on topics of money, politics, and power. For instance, Marlow serves as the leeway between the Company and Kurtz- he is neither inclined towards dominating savagery, nor towards the consumption of money and profit. This venerable- to be in the middle is to see both sides from an equal distance. Although I acknowledge myself to not hold this perspective at all times, I remember it to be very important. Marlow is also incredibly observant- I wish to be so as well. To notice things on all levels can be very practical. It goes well with the 'calm medium' of his personality. These traits are imperative.
However, Marlow portrays several qualities which make him all too human. Perhaps, it is because he is the alter-ego of Conrad himself. In Heart of Darkness, Marlow describes a journey up the Congo River. This journey was, in fact, taken by Conrad himself (although not necessarily in the same pretext). And it is through Marlow that I identify with Conrad. Conrad is, first and foremost, an amazing writer. Stylistically, he is very controlled, and yet he successfully remains unpredictable with his plot manoeuvres. As an aspiring writer, I look up to people like Conrad for their capabilities. I, too, would like, one day, to write a story in the style of Conrad; perhaps, I should just adapt a Marlow of my own.
Despite initial repulsion, I have come to terms that I like Heart of Darkness because of the humanity I find in Marlow. He is not ordinarily a character people would think to look up to; he is slightly offbeat and a bit too mellow to serve as an interesting, multi-foiled main character. I like him for these reasons- I, too, am slightly offbeat. At the same time, Marlow is very intriguing- he is quite observant, and has a variety of perspectives. He serves as an equidistance between opposite extremes. This is admirable- it is not a quality most people seek to have. Marlow's temperament is soothing, and he manages to stay sane through his ordeal. It is this humanity which I seek to emulate; I am full of hope that this will one day occur.
~
Please critique my essay in a constructive manner. I shall be sure to return the favor.
Thanks!