INFORMATION FOR THE ACADEMIC DECATHLON TEAM 2011, TOP OF PAGE 31

I. Review of previous discussions

II. New annotations starting at the top of Page 31

201. Page 31, top of the page: Marlow says lying has the "taint of death." Can you make the connection?
202. Page 31: Marlow describes the Brickmaker as "a young fool" and continues to let him think he is an insider. Why?
203. Page 31: Marlow says, "I became in an instant as much of a pretense as the rest of the bewitched pilgrims. This simply because I had a notion it somehow would be of help to that Kurtz whom at the time I did not see--you understand." At this point, why would Marlow wish to help Kurtz? Do you consider Marlow "a bewitched pilgrim?"
204. Page 31: Marlow compares his present reality to a dream. Discuss the elements of this situation.
205. Page 31, new paragraph 2: Discuss the metaphysical question Marlow touches on in this short paragraph.
206. Page 31, paragraph 3: Why does Marlow say his listeners see more in his story than he was able to at the time of his observations? Does this have a connection with the metaphysical question touched on in the paragraph above?
207. Page 31, paragraph 4: Why does the first narrator search for a word that gives a clew (sic) to the "faint uneasiness" inspired by this narrative? What is this uneasiness if it exists?
208. Page 32, paragraph 1: The Brickmaker speaks of "the necessity of every man to get on." Does this explain his continuing belief that Marlow is well-connected?
209. Page 32: The Brickmaker describes Kurtz as a "universal genius," but even such a person needs "adequate tools." Is this simply a justification for the Brickmaker's not making bricks?
210. Page 32: The Brickmaker does secretarial work for the manager. Is this a way for him to "get on?"
211. Page 32: Marlow lacks rivets for the repair of the steamboat. Are these the "tools' he needs for his success in this enterprise?
212. Page 32: Marlow relates that there was a surfeit of rivets at the coast. He; however, cannot have them where they are needed to repair the steamboat. Is this reinforcement for Marlow's complaint that the Belgians lack efficiency?
213. Page 32: Every week a lone messenger leaves for the coast and several times a week caravans visit the station bringing brightly-colored cloth, beads and spotted cotton handkerchiefs. Do we have echos of these items in modern stereotyping of Black culture?
214. Page 32, paragraph 2: Why does the Brickmaker tell Marlow that he fears neither God nor devil. How does this contribute to the narrative? We may find out later.
215. Page 32 , at the bottom of the page: Is the Brickmaker saying the manager has not told him to request rivets in the letters the manager dictates to him?
216. Page 33, continuing paragraph from Page 32: What is Marlow suggesting the Brickmaker do?
217. Page 33: The Brickmaker changes the subject by introducing the scenario of the nightly visits of a hippo.
218. Page 33: The pilgrims empty their rifles at the hippo.
219. Page 33: The Brickmaker states the hippo has a charmed life. Does this contribute to an extended metaphor together with the personification of the jungle and the temple metaphor?

FORTUNA VITREA EST: TUM CUM SPLENDET FRANGITUR.