Blog 2: Heart of Darkness

To contradict the suggestion of the "glorious affair" surrounding Fresleven's death, Marlow depicts the conflict violently as the tension rises between Fresleven and the natives. Although he suggests that Fresleven's assertion of dominance to maintain his self-respect is noble, Marlow frequently mentions the remains of the former captain, giving the paragraph a somber and dark tone. Also, despite Fresleven being supposedly the "gentlest, quietest creature" and the natives' frantic escape demonstrating fear for the captain's death, the violent confrontation highlighted the savage, wild, and dark nature of man that the novel will continue to show.