Savage or just....hungry?

         
   As the story unfolds, revealing hints of apparent racism that are tied into the imperialistic attitude, yet another of Marlow's opinions is uncovered. When their boat is surrounded by thick and blinding fog, those aboard the ship hear yells in the distance. Unable to decipher whether these are yells for attack or simply of defense, Marlow and the other directors become puzzled as to what to do next. Marlow then orders for the chained anchor to be lifted. He describes the black men:

"the others had an alert, naturally interested expression; but their faces were essentially quiet, even those of the one or two who grinned as they hauled the chain. Several exchanged short, grunting phrases, which seemed to settle the matter to their satisfaction" (111).

Never truly acknowledged as humans, simply the "others", hints at the racism shown throughout the story thus far. Marlow generalizes the expressions of most of the black men, as though they were not individuals, but one mass. The "grunting" that is associated with their speech gives them a savage quality, as he does not recognize their sounds as being a developed language.

              While he is observing all of this, their leader comes up to talk to him: 

"'Catch 'im,' he snapped, with a bloodshot widening of his eyes and a flash of sharp teeth--'catch 'im. Give 'im to us.' 'To you, eh?' I asked; 'what would you do with them?' 'Eat 'im!' he said curtly, and, leaning his elbow on the rail, looked out into the fog in a dignified and profoundly pensive attitude" (111).

Once again, Marlow contributes insane and animalistic qualities to the African natives, describing their leader as having bloodshot eyes and carnivorous teeth. However, after hearing the leader express the desperation for food felt by the other natives, Marlow realizes how little food he has given them throughout the voyage. He expresses that "as long as there was a piece of paper written over in accordance with some farcical law or other made down the river, it didn't enter anybody's head to trouble how they would live" (111). He admits his having f0rgotten to consider them as humans that needed food for survival, he along with the other white men take the work of the black men for granted, presuming they will always be there to give their strength. Marlow has come to the point where he forgets to acknowledge such an important necessity for all humans, and animals alike. He thinks of the rotten hippo meat they brought along as being an annoyance to all on board, when really it was a means for survival. He always considers the well-being of himself and the other Europeans first priority, and with the power given to him to rule the native people, he has been mentally detached from them. This shows insight to the even further moral transformation he will undergo before the ending of the tale, and the contrast to what the present-day and reflective Marlow thinks of his actions.