Pay particular attention to the diction in this section. Conrad has chosen some words with strong connotations. What are those words and what is he trying to do with them?
Look at all the references to fear. What does that do to the mood? Is Conrad’s tone serious here? Does Mr. Kurtz have adorers?—that is people who worship him?
Why would Conrad bring up the old lady knitting here? If she’s fate, then what? If she’s just and old lady—what was her importance in her first appearance? Then what?
Lots of images to evil…why? Why here? Are we as far up-river as we go? If so, is Conrad making a statement with this?
Who is that woman on the shore? She seems important.
Quotation:
“I tried to break the spell, the heavy mute spell of the wilderness that seemed to draw him to its pitiless breast by the awakening of forgotten and brutal instincts, by the memory of gratified and monstrous passions.” p. 66
