Part III Regarding WOMEN

[Yvonne Sturgeon]

Marlow refers to "a small sketch in oils...representing a woman, draped and blindfolded, carrying a lighted torch. The background was sombre- almost black. The movement of the woman was stately, and the effect of the torchlight on the face was sinister." We are told that it was Kurtz who painted the sketch,. Consider carefully what significant theme or idea this painted figure may symbolize Then consider why it seems appropriate for Kurtz to have painted this particular sketch.

[samanthajones]

This painted figure may represent the savagery that existed in the darkness among the natives. It is appropriate that Kurtz painted this sketch because he is the only one to go so deep into the darkness and understand the lives of these savages. The fact that he portrayed this woman in a dark environment and is blindfolded could symbolize the natives' blindness to what they are forced to do. The black background and slight lighting on her face represents that the natives hide in the bushes and in the dark to avoid the Europeans and their colonization. Her face is portrayed as sinister because these natives have a strong hatred for the Europeans taking over them.

[Ryan Andrews]

The painting represents the imperialism that the Europeans are bringing to the Congo. Their ideals and their views on how life should be for the natives are symbolized by the torch in the ladies' hand. The blindfold might represent the inability of the Europeans to see the horrific effect they have on the natives. It is a blindfold of greed and negligence that the imperialists choose not to remove. The fact that the torchlight makes her face look sinister could be viewed from two different angles. The first is from the natives view. The natives are dying and being used for manual labor against their will and it wouldn't be too far of a stretch that their view of the Europeans might be a little sinister. The second angle is that of the Europeans. Their true nature is being illuminated by their darkest and deepest desires. It is very fitting that Kurtz painted this sketch because all of the greed, fury, and negligence present in the painting. He is a vessel for which all of humanities imperfections have taken refuge.

[Justin H P.2]

The fact that the woman is blindfolded could either represent the idea that women are ignorant to all of the truth regarding the extraction of ivory from Africa. Woman have this pure and untainted view of what is going on and this can be seen in parts such as Marlow’s aunt praising him for going to Africa to civilize the people there. This blindness could also mean that the colonizers are blindly going into Africa, meaning they do not care about the people there or their home, and are just searching aimlessly for money and ivory. It is appropriate that Kurtz painted this, because he presents the bad in colonialism. He represents the darkness and the corruption that occurs when they take advantage of the natives in Africa.

[paigefauntleroy]

Kurtz most likely made this painting to represent his followers that are following his foot steps. The natives are extremely obedient and protective over him and don't see the other Kurtz. The blindfold represents that they are following the darkness even though they do not see the darkness in Kurtz. The lighted torch is for a sense of direction and hope. It is ironic because the woman is blindfolded so she essentially does not need a lighted torch to guide her. Kurtz understands his power and his greed and paints his people in a way that shows their dedication and confusion while following Kurtz's darkness.

[SaifMalley]

The idea that this painting is trying to convey is that Europeans are going into Africa (the darkness) ill-prepared (blindfolded), and they are bringing civilization (lighted torch). The fact that the torchlight creates a sinister effect on the woman's face suggests that the light is not truly representative of goodness and civilization. The painting as a whole is attempting to say that European imperialism will fail. It is appropriate that Kurtz painted this sketch because he is the only European to have realized "the horror" and the failure of Europe. He is critical of imperialism, but at the same time a cruel colonizer who only cares for ivory.

[heyitsmoog]

I felt like the woman was a symbol of the Europeans who had gone to Africa to try and civilize the natives. The torch represents European ideals that they believe brings light to Africa but in reality their view is distorted. Much like the woman's face is distorted by the torch light. The blindfold represents how Europeans can't 'see' (realize) the harm they are doing by trying to force the natives to conform to their customs and values.

[morgan_lippnik]

The painting done by Kurtz symbolizes the idea of Imperialism within the depths of Africa. We are aware of people throughout the book that adore Kurtz with every fiber in their body, almost as if he's the reason everyone is there in the first place, so it is undoubtedly noticeable that Kurtz has spread his influence across many. It seems to be appropriate that Kurtz painted this particular sketch because it symbolizes the woman that he is involved with. It displays his power over her, but also the way that she follows him without any question. The torchlight on her face may also resemble the darkness and mystery behind her relationship with Kurtz.

[jrsantoro]

This painted figure is representative of the significant theme of Europe's blind exploration through Africa. The women, representing Europe, or the Europeans, is holding a torch which is exposing the darkness, or exploring Africa. The women is blinded just as the Europeans are blinded in their attempt to properly colonize Africa.*The black background is representative of the mystery that is Africa. The effect of the torchlight on the women's face exposes Europe's*true meaning for exploration: the sinful*desire of wealth.*It is appropriate that Kurtz painted this because he is the personification of imperialism and represents all the sinful and greedy aspects of Europe's colonization.

[Jillianbeese]

The symbolization of this painted figure contains various allegorical representations. The fact that the painting is of a women blindfolded carrying a torch illustrates how Europeans blindly imperializes Africa. Women are expressed to be oblivious to the realities of colonization, which symbolically Europe as a whole is naive about colonization. The lighted torch serves as the thought of imperialism leading the way to enlighten Africa. Also, the dark background suggests that the woman is completely lost in the dark but with the addition of the blindfold is evidenced that the surroundings and the subject itself are completely absent from the truth and reality. Kurtz also painted a "sinister" face emphasizing that there is no beauty of western imperialism and that it is morally unjust. Conrad uses Kurtz to paint this particular because Kurtz is the true representative of western imperialism and the aftermath of his progress.

[Joannemachin]

This painting, known to be created by Kurtz, represents the European attempt to colonise Africa. In the novella, women were first perceived by Marlow, as ignorant, naive, and unaware of the entire truth. The fact that this woman was blindfolded, suggests again, that women do not know to the extent of what is happening in Africa. Europeans implied that they were going to Africa in order to civilise the country and it’s natives; which is what the torch represents. It seems appropriate that Kurtz created this image, as he is implying the corruption behind ‘his’ ivory trade, and the savagery happening within the wilderness of the Congo.

[Hoyt Crance]

The principle that Conrad is referring to in this picture is the idea during the time period in which this book was written, many woman lived ignorantly and did not have a true grasp of reality. Unfortunately, during the time in which this book was written, woman were viewed to be mothers only and did not need to associate themselves with the trials and tribulations associated with the reality in which men live in. Furthermore, the painting describes a woman carrying a light while blindfolded into the unknown future, or this case, the darkness. The sinister description of the torchlight reveals how women often times did not know what they were getting to, and thus, men had to lie in order to protect women from reality. This picture is a direct representation of the relationship Kurtz had with his fiance because Kurtz was not truly honest about what he had to do on a day to day basis and often had to lie to his fiance in order for her to feel safe and protected.

[anastasiagrant]

I think that the significant theme or idea this painted figure may symbolize is the imperialistic mission. White people like Kurtz and the manager enter the darkness in Africa; while they are the light full of civilized wisdom their motives are sinister. They do not wish to enlighten the savages, rather they wish to rob them of their precious items, and in this case it is ivory. There is a faint flicker of hope (torch) representing people like Marlow but the face is representative of the true motives of the imperialists in Africa.
It seems appropriate for Kurt to have painted this particular sketch because he is the ultimate success story for an imperialistic company or nation; he brings in so much product at such a low cost. He ultimately becomes the sinister devil consumed with a passion for ivory, always on the lookout for more in the dark.

[rileygerdau]

The painting that Marlow refers to represents the imperialism that the Europeans are bringing to the Congo. The torch symbolizes the native's views on how theirs lives should be. The painting is ironic because the women is blindfolded so therefor would not need a torch to guide her. The dark background of the painting suggests that the women is lost in the dark and has no idea what is truly going on around her and doesn't understand the environment that she is truly in. It seems appropriate for Kurtz to have painted this painting because he is the true vision of an imperialistic company.

[sdebbas]

In this painting the torch could symbolize the 'truth' about everything. He paints the woman holding the torch to symbolize how the 'truth' is literally right in front of women, but are still unable to see this truth. This leads to the blindfold, symbolizing how women are 'out of touch with the truth' (can't see the torch). By painting the girl physically holding the torch but not visually seeing it symbolizes how women choose the 'ignorance is bliss' path instead of opening their eyes and seeing what is right in front of them. It seems appropriate for Kurtz to have painted this because he knows this truth.

[Ethan Hanson]

I feel as if this painting could symbolize on what Kurtz was becoming, with all that power and corruption he was on a path of darkness. The blindfold could represent the blindness people have for Kurtz, they view him as a god and am idol, when in reality he was the one blind with corruption and power. The lighted torch could represent Marlow, he could of been the only light in this darkness, he was going to become the "Heart of Darkness" but he stopped himself proving that he could be hope and light. It seems appropriate for Kurtz to paint this sketch because he is representing Africa and the way he wants it to run, he wants to control everything which leads him into a path of darkness, power, and corruption. He fell victim to the control of Ivory and therefore became the darkness in Africa.

[annap]

The painted figure may symbolize the depths of the jungle and the darkness within the jungle. The woman being draped in a blindfold creates the picture how women should not be seen in the darkness of the jungle. The only women there are the native savages whom have dark skin and are not seen as important in society. The lighted torch shows that women are physically there, but not really regarded. It seems appropriate for Kurtz to have painted a sketch of this woman because of his disrespect towards women and views of them as inferior.

[MorganDuss]

The significance of the painting refers to the imperialism that the Europeans bring into the Congo. The torch is meant to symbolize civilization, and the blindfold represents the Natives (women) following Kurtz into "darkness." The importance of the women being blindfolded is that she doesn't need a lighted torch since Kurtz holds all the power to guide her and the Natives.

[kristinyinn]

The woman is “blindfolded, carrying a lighted torch”. This shows that the woman is lost in darkness and knows nothing about the world around them. This symbolizes the ignorance of women of imperialism. “The effect of the torchlight on the face was sinister”. This can symbolize the fact that women’s ignorance is bringing evil and bad things toward the world around them that they are unable to see. This painting is appropriate for Kurtz to have painted because women follow him blindly without seeing the truth.

[Sydney Davis]

The painted figure can possibly symbolize the civilization in Africa. It seems appropriate for Kurtz to have painted this sketch because of his European background and how he views the darkness in Europe. As he is a strong leader, his main desire is money and Ivory.

[Collin Stark]

The women in the painting has a very important meaning, as it holds the torch which is referenced earlier in the book when speaking of how Africa is taken by " sword or torch." The use of the torch in the painting by Kurtz shows how instead of the sword which represents violence, Kurtz prefers the torch representing enlightenment and truth. the woman being blindfolded represents the Europeans being blind to what is truly happening in Africa and blindly supporting the humiliation of millions of people.

[spencercornman]

The painted figure may represent the barbarity that the people and the environment had demonstrated to Kurtz when he was out in the wilderness. The woman with the blindfold and the lighted torch may represent the blindness the Europeans have to their effect on the natives. It is dark all around the woman because it was unclear what what was happening in Africa from a European perspective as well as the darkness of death and savagery. The Europeans are blinded to these horrible effects and darkness. Kurtz sees through the blindfold and understands the terrible effects because he had experienced and seen the horrors the Europeans had inflicted.

[corinnetaylor]

Women and their obliviousness has been a constant theme throughout the book. I think it's trying to symbolize that even deep in the actual heart of darkness women still are blind to what's actually going on in the world whether they live in a big city or in the heart of darkness. It just follows along that in this book ignorance is bliss for all kinds of women.

[elle]

This painting of Kurtz's fiancé really captures how women are viewed during this time period. In the quote, she is described as being, "draped and blindfolded, carrying a lighted torch". This represents how women are ignorant to what is really happening in the Congo. They are not aware of the corruption and evil of the Europeans colonizers. Women in this time period are so absent from the actual reality, so, they don't understand that what is being done is wrong. It is appropriate that Kurtz painted this because he believed in how women have their own reality and should be protected from the corruption of what is occurring in the Congo.

[kazhir]

This painting shows how the Congo is no place for a family to strive. I interpret this painting as a woman who is walking away from the savagery and corruption of the colonizers and imperialism occuring in the Congo to the Natives. She is blindfolded because Kurtz doesn't truly want people to see what goes on there. Kurtz painted this because inside he realizes how cruel and harsh he and the Company is to the Natives, and he wishes he didn't have to live in such a cruel society.

[Chris N.]

The painting that Marlow describes could symbolize the aspects of the Europeans occupation in Africa. The woman could represent the African natives, she is blind folded and draped but there is a torch that she is holding in the darkness. The african natives are very blinded to what's really going on, they have very little insight, similar to faint light of a torch through a blind fold. The Europeans plan to simply extract all the wealth from Africa in ivory not help them modernize any further. The black background represents the darkness that has consumed the African natives during the time of the Europeans occupation. The movement and effect of the torchlight on the women would symbolize the progress that the natives have made with civilizing there society with the Europeans and how sinister their plan to gain wealth in Africa really is. It is significant that Kurtz is painted this sketch because he is involved with all the corruption, deception, and greed that is consuming Africa in darkness.

[WillDo]

The painting somewhat symbolizes the colonization in Africa. The blindfold shows how people not involved in the colonization do not know what is really going on in Africa, and are unaware of the corruption and darkness caused by imperialism. The torchlight, described as sinister, represents this corruption in the Congo. The significance of Kurtz painting this picture represents how Kurtz brings darkness in Africa, and how it is hidden from everyone else's eyes.

[cboehm1]

The significance of the painting is first and foremost, Conrad’s continual theme of light versus dark. It is interesting how light generally is a portrayal of good, safe, and inspiring, whereas darkness is typically a portrayal of evil, danger, and bad times. In the example of the painting, the light reveals a sinister face. Conrad could be implying that the woman, who in this case could symbolize Europe, and the sombre background, which could represent Africa, is entering the “darkness” under the pretense of “bringing the light”, while her sinister face proves that it is all a lie. It seems appropriate that Kurtz had painted this sketch because he of all people would be the one to know first hand of the reality of the European colonization in Africa and how many people were delusional to the true presence of ill-treatment toward the natives.

[ZackF]

The painting is symbolic of the imperialistic nature of the europeans and how the natives are almost blind to what is going on around them. The torchlight on the womans face makes her to appear sinister because of the anger that is built up about the imperialism they are in the middle of. It is appropriate that Kurtz created such a work because he realized the negatives the coincide with imperialism yet was a greedy colonizer of ivory.

[Benkashanchi]

The woman is symbolic of the company who is attempting to civilize the natives of Africa. The blindfold represents the idea that the company is attempting to civilize a land which they have no experience navigating, and reflects the idea that eventually the company’s imperialistic actions are likely to fail. Since “the effect on the torchlight on the face was sinister”, we could likely conclude that the Company’s actions are entirely sinister for they are motivated by solely greed and share no regard for the well-being of the inhabitants of the “darkness”. It is appropriate for Kurtz to have performed this sketch because it reveals that even Kurtz, the most prominent figure of the company, knew the journey would result in failure. He might have predicted the falling-out of the company as soon as he began to contract the illness, which further cements the belief that he is stood apart from the company in terms of efficiency.

[lrempalski]

I think the sketch of the woman represents the Europeans bringing civilization to Africa. The candle represents what the Europeans are bringing to Africa and what they would see as light being brought into darkness. The woman in the piece is blindfolded to represent that the Europeans don't fully understand what they are getting into and they cannot 'see' the perspective of the native people. The woman's face appearing sinister above the light of the torch shows the corruption and evil that lies within many of the colonists, such as Kurtz.

[Patrick M]

The painting refers to a reoccurring theme of men in the novel looking down on women. It begins with Marlow he sees women as naive and out of touch with the world. Clearly Kurtz holds a similar view as shown from the blindfold which doesn't allow the painted woman to see anything around her. This is also shown at the end of the book when Marlow talks with Kutrz's Intended. She knows nothing about what was going on in Africa since Kurtz must of not even written her about it. Also the painting shows the surrounding darkness which the women do not see. Marlow's aunt has the idea that in going to Africa he will help and enlighten the natives when it's actually quite different.

[rluehrs]

Both Kurtz’s Intended and his African mistress function as blank slates upon which the values and the wealth of their respective societies can be displayed. Marlow frequently claims that women are the keepers of naïve illusions; although this sounds condemnatory, such a role is in fact crucial, as these naïve illusions are at the root of the social fictions that justify economic enterprise and colonial expansion. In return, the women are the beneficiaries of much of the resulting wealth, and they become objects upon which men can display their own success and status. The painting that is shown symbolizes the truth about the whole story. He paints a women holding a torch to symbolize the truth literally right infront of their face because of the type of people they are, they still dont see it.

[Greeneyk]

The way the painting by Kurtz is described creates the idea that Europeans are going into Africa ill-prepared and are bringing civilization with them. However, the torchlight create a "sinister" look on her face which suggests that the "civilization" they are bring is false advertisement and are rather bringing their desire for greed with them. Overall, the painting hints at the impending failure of European imperialism. It is appropriate for Kurtz to have painted this painting in that he is the typical European in Africa searching and mistreating those in order to retrieve more ivory.

[cdowning]

The painting gives a very ominous feeling that was painted by none other than Mr. Kurtz which makes sense when we have the opportunity to learn more about Kurtz in part 3. The painting is of a woman not a man so much like Marlow Kurtz does not hold the highest regard for women. This is because similar to who Kurtz is really is the painting is very somber and suspicious. The effect of the torchlight insinuates there is a little bit of light, but not much like the situation in Africa where people do not truly know what is going on. So people can look at think about what is going on, but unless you are actually there it is not possible to see everything going on.

[AlexK]

The woman in the picture could represent European women who are blind to the situation in Africa. They have no idea of the cruelty and bloody murders, which take place in Congo, and even if they could receive the information about them, they wouldn't do so, because it would ruin their peace (this is represented by the woman having a bandage on the eyes rather than being blind). This is appropriate for Kurtz to draw this picture, because he is actually the one who's really well informed about African "expedition".

[nicksandoval]

The significant theme or idea that the painted figure may symbolize how the Europeans came to Africa and the imperialism. The Europeans came to Africa with much more knowledge and power than the natives who lived there, and part of their mission they claimed was to civilize the natives. The superior knowledge and power of the European civilization is represented by the lit torch in the painting. However, the African wilderness is a completely different environment for the Europeans and some are not prepared for it, like the man with the patches that Marlow meets before Kurtz. This is represented by the blindfold. It is fitting that this painting was done by Kurtz because he had big plans to civilize the natives and do good things in Africa but he also wasn’t truly prepared because he went insane and eventually died.

[taylorolson1123]

In this novel, the women are described to be naïve to the real world. Conrad depicts them as out of touch with reality, innocent, and good. They ultimately represent the fate of imperialism. “A small sketch in oils...representing a woman, draped and blindfolded, carrying a lighted torch. The background was sombre- almost black. The movement of the woman was stately, and the effect of the torchlight on the face was sinister.” I think this quote represents the blindness the women in this story have to the darkness and evil of the world. And they will soon enough face a harsh reality.

[taylorspruth]

The women mentioned in this novella are depicted all in an errie way. As if they are hiding something from the rest of mankind. Marlow mentions in the novel that the woman may not know anything about what is going on in the jungle. That the men are just going into the jungle to go "civilize" the africans. The first glimpse into the western civilization type of woman is Marlows grandmother. She is rich, and lives a well furnished life. She believes that the sole purpose of Marlow going into the jungle is to help the poor, needy, savages. Then we meet the knitting woman knitting black, dark, death, like the heart of darkness.Those woman are mentioned twice in the novel and constanly hold an errie appearance and appear in dark parts of th novel. Then finaly we meet Kurtz's love, the cousin. The woman who knew more about Kurtz than anyone else, the woman who knew Kurtz befor his "madness" took over his being.

[maxwellspearson]

The fact that the woman is blindfolded mat represent the fact that women are ignorant. We know Conrad depicts woman as helpless and ignorant a lot through out the novella. Woman have this pure vision of what is going on in the world. We can see this when Marlow's aunt thinks he is going to Africa to help the blacks. This is a mans world and women are just simply going through the motions. Kurtz is perfect for painting this because he is viewed as a bad guy a sexist and a racist. He is a businessman trying to get results fast and simply doesn't care who he hurts to get what he wants

[sidshah]

The woman in the painting definitely represents the African people as it is being blindfolded and carrying a torch. I assume the torch would represent the "light" that Conrad has previously expressed many times in the novel to be the opposite, and would lead us to believe that it is the evils of imperialism and shows what the whites are doing to the Congo's people. The sinister look on her face represents the opposition the African's have to their education and civilization. They are in strong disapproval of whatever the whites bring to them and would rather retreat into the sombre background of black peace than to come into the light. The fact that Kurtz painted it shows that he is maybe aware of the corruption in the whites in Africa.

[Amn Chaychian]

The significance of the painting by Kurtz is that he thinks that Europeans have brought light to darkness(Africa) by colonizing and trying to civilize the continent. The torch represents the light and the blindfolded woman represents how native Africans obey white Europeans blindfolded without defending themselves against imperialists.

[wesleyr237]

The most significant theme that this painting represents is the interpreted blindness that women turn towards the events that happen around them. It shows the reflected short-coming of men and how the darkness that is created from them is largely cut through from the idealistic morals of the modern day woman. The painting largely depicts how the surrounding life of modern day society casts a shadow of the people required to interact with it and it makes complete sense that Kurtz of all people in the story would've been the one to create it as he would be the one "casting the shadow" with the revealed evil traits shown from Kurtz.

[fitbyaddie]

In the novella, women are seen as ignorant. Everyone thinks that they need to be protected from what is going on in real life. When Marlow visits his aunt, it is clear to the reader that he thinks that women need to be shaded from harsh realities. At the end when Marlow visits Kurtz’s “intended” he lies to protect her from the truth.

[Easy]

The painting clearly suggests the relationship between Europe and Africa, wher ethr woman is Europe and the torch she caries represents the enlightenment or civilization that the y hope to bring. the blindfold is key because it shows that Europe is going in blind, not really knowing what is happening, which is possibly a very dangerous combo, and a blind person with a torch will likely start a fire that they cannot put out.

[Bostgeme]

This painting of the woman in a blindfold carrying a torch represents the natives who are forced to help the ivory traders raid villages. The blindfold represents their lack of knowledge of the intentions that Kurtz and his men truly have. The torch leads them forward so they think its positive, but the light of the torch only shows them what is so far ahead of them, but they don't know what lies farther before them in the darkness, similar to how they don't know exactly what they're being led to. It's appropriate that Kurtz painted it because he is the one in charge of it all and he realizes what he's making the natives do.

[mmurai]

The painting of the women symbolizes the colonization of Africa by European countries. The women represents the Europeans which are the civilized sent because it is their duty to help the uncivilized people. The fact that she is blindfolded represents that Europeans don't know what they are getting themselves into and are running into a problem they won't be able to fix. They think that colonization will be very easy but make little progress. The torch represents civilization and industry which is what Europe is giving to the Africa. the darkness represents Africa which is uncivilized and lacks technology. The women's face is sinister to show the evil motives that drive imperialism in Europe such as exploiting the local people and treating them like animals just to be able to reap natural resources from the land. It is symbolic that Kurtz paint the sketch because he symbolizes imperialism.

[KLyle]

It is appropriate for Kurtz to have painted this picture because of his views about the whole situation in Africa. He believes that Europeans constantly enters the heart of darkness of Africa expecting that they know the situation, however they have no idea what they are doing and are completely in the dark. Kurtz paints a torch to show that they believe they have a lead and light to guide them, however they have a blindfold on because they are completely lost in the scheme of things.

[KLyle]

Also, a woman might represent some ignorance in the equation.

[Neil Castro]

The painting of the woman has a symbolic meaning because she is carrying a lighted torch in the dark, like saying that she has the hope with her and that hope can be strong than darkness, the torch can be seen as hope too, Africans are being used and abuse and they are looking for hope to continued with their lives now that the Europeans are taking control of them.In the novel woman are being seen as ignorant because the men does all the work but in this picture shows us a woman doing work, Kurtz is trying to say that woman can be strong if they want to, at the same times is explaining that Africans should be treat better instead of violence.

[tchoe]

The torch could represent the destruction that the Europeans can bring with imperialism and can at any time set fire to African civilizations. The shadow on the woman's face could represent the different viewpoints in which people see imperialism. One point is from the way the Europeans living in Europe see it and the other is from the way people who have actually visited the sites see it. The blindfold on the woman represents European society as a whole and how blind they are to all of the horrors going on in Africa. They live their lives completely unaware of the terrible truth.

[MartySparty]

I think the woman represents the false notion of how Imperialism was supposed to help the natives. She is draped and blindfolded symbolizing the attempts of the Europeans to cover up what was actually going in Africa. Yet when the light is shined upon the woman she looks sinister, just like when the truth about what was really going on in Africa is exposed we find out that it is also extremely sinister and evil. Kurtz painted this sketch because he knew all that went on and this was his way of representing it.

[bhong3211]

The painting depicts women as ignorant and bliss because they are blindfolded and holding a torch, but this could relate more to Europe's imperialism. It is symbolic in that the woman represents Europe blindly going into Africa and waving torch around, which means they are dangerous. The danger is represented with the actions that Kurtz puts upon the natives. Conrad has Kurtz paint this because he is the imperialist and knows the darkness and evils that is put onto the natives.

[Amin Taherabadi]

The idea that the novel is suggesting the imperialism that the europeans are brining to the heart of Darnkess. Throughout the novel women are ignored regarding the idea of collecting ivory in Congo. The torchlights effects on the woman's face represents that the torch as a light represents corruption but no the goodness and civilization. The portraits message is the failure of the imperialism.

[colecollins]

The painting is symbolic of how they are almost blind to everything around them. The light on the womens face shows her anger about the imperialism that is going on. It is appropriate that Kurtz created this because it shows how reedy he is with ivory and the negative effects of imperialism

[Emily Schwartz]

This painting is a figure of a woman in the shadows that represents truth. I think that this represents truth because whenever Marlow sees a dark space- a shadow, shade, etc, he comes to a realization or a truth about himself, his surrounding or others. She is distorted by the sunlight hitting her face, this is an image of corruption and distortion of society that has consumed all of the congo, especially the inner aspects.

[Katie Craig]

I think the painting is symbolizing the fact that women turn a blind eye to the reality that is going on right in front of them. The torch could represent reality and truth. The woman is holding the torch symbolizing truth right in front of her eyes yet she can't see it because of the blindfold is significant because it depicts how the women in the story are ignorant of the inhumanity and savagery going on in Africa. The fact that the women is holding the torch means that she somehow supports what is going on. I think it is appropriate that Kurtz drew this sketch because he was apart of the imperialistic movement at one point and also kept his fiance in the dark about what was really going on.

[Skylarcrenshaw]

The women in the drawing is the lady of justice. This is extremely ironic because what the whites are doing to the blacks is anything but justified. She is surrounded by darkness which represents the truth and the torch is a symbol to seek out the truth. The women in blindfolded because marlow believes women live in their own world and it suggests the theme “ignorance is bliss”.

[megashark]

This sketch represent Lady Justice, the figure of integrity and moral correctness for many things, including the United States judicial system. Lady Justice is often depicted holding a scale and a torch: the scale is so that she can weigh what is right and what is wrong, and the torch so that she can illuminate the truth that is hidden in the darkness. The fact that Kurtz drew this sketch furthers the self-contradiction that Conrad stresses because although Kurtz is a high ranking official for an oppressive company, his subconscious must believe in the basic human right to freedom from injustices if he drew this sketch.