Q: Marlow constantly uses vague and often redundant phrases like “unspeakable secrets” and “inconceivable mystery.” At other times, however, he is capable of powerful imagery and considerable eloquence. Why does Marlow use vague and “inconclusive” language so frequently? (Conrad, Joseph: Heart of Darkness Retrieved HERE)
Discussion:
Most likely, Joseph C was lazy vague, and inconclusive that day when writing his book, and did not want to roll out an entire tome on the good, bad and ugly of the jungle floor. It happens frequently; sometimes writers simply have nothing to explain. Call it white space, dead air, pause like selah, a rest... it is a good thing. Sorely missing in our experiences, don't you think?
Unfortunately surrounding us is modern commercial media. Every split second is filled with regurgitated words, rote idioms and slippery logic of advertising. The only way to get quiet surroundings is to turn off, unplug and shutdown. Or of course rising water could break the electrical circuit, and then there is absolute quiet, no motors anywhere, silence. Often that is called an act of God, or act of Nature.
Hardship is introduced with prejudice. In my high school English class, one day the smart guy in the corner answered Mrs Underwood's question "What is the antagonist in the book, Heart of Darkness?"
"The jungle," he said. *[pause, to express love and astonishment]* To which she said, "Excellent, Joseph."
Eureka, the jungle, nature, not just man or woman, or aliens in rubber suits, but flora and fauna can be villains. I was also impressed, which today amounts to about a buck fiddy.
Since I was sixteen and healthy, I was more concerned with being drafted in two years. At this precise moment the jungle became my breaking point: "We're fighting in the jungles over there, aren't we?" I said to Johnny sitting next to me in class.
"Shhhh, Darnell."
Still eureka'd'ing, I drifted off and remembered a more peaceful song my friends had made up: "Nature around us still astounds us, beauty felt within... and in the shade a figure laid... cool and so calm, (selah) 'Look at our world.' (pause)
[tutti forte] Let it be for I have seen with Truth, ...what it is to find beauty." And I started to hum.
"Shhhh, what's with you?" Apparently Johnny was listening intently to the debate up front, now about unspeakable secrets of the jungle as a living, breathing fluid though vague argument for villainy with inconceivable mystery.
Johnny after a while said , "I'm going to enlist in the Coast Guard." I always admired Johnny's resolve about things.
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