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ow and Kurtz, the two main characters in the novella, are developed in several ways and quite differently from each other throughout the story. Marlow, in the very beginning of the story, is described in a manner such that one would believe Marlow is enlightened to the truth. "Marlow sat cross-legged right aft…He had sunken cheeks, a yellow complexion, a straight back, an ascetic aspect, and, with his arms dropped, the palms of hands outwards, resembled an idol." (66) The imagery that the unreliable narrator describes Marlow in is one that brings about thoughts of Buddhist monks, who are usually considered to be enlightened to the truths of mankind. Through the description of Marlow, he is also set apart from the other characters, possibly to give his message a more meaningful point. Another way that Conrad develops Marlow is that to Marlow, "the meaning of an episode was not inside like a kernel but outside…illumination of moonshine." (68) The unreliable narrator is setting up the point that most sailors' stories have simple meanings to them, but Marlow's stories always have such depth to the meaning that they are difficult to understand or take to heart.
Approximate Word count = 685
Approximate Pages = 2.7
(250 words per page double spaced)
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