Any river sailors there to help me explain some points to me?

Question

I am reading J. Conrad's Heart of Darkness and can't understand some nautical expressions.

Answer 1

Heart of Darkness is about Africa... not about sailing.  Granted, Marlow, (the sailor), and his journey up the Congo River etc. is an adventure unto itself... But when Marlow takes the job as a riverboat captain "with the Company", the plot thickens as he encounters widespread inefficiency and brutality within "the Company". When he discovers the native inhabitants of the region have been forced into the Company’s service, and how they suffer so terribly from overwork and ill treatment at the hands of the Company’s agents. The cruelty and squalor of imperial enterprise contrasts sharply with the impassive and majestic jungle that surrounds the white man’s settlements, making them appear to be tiny islands amidst a vast "heart of darkness".

To really enjoy the book, you need not concern yourself with the nomenclature of sailing or boat handling... the story (much like Blood Diamonds) is more about man's cruelty to man, and rabid greed. Enjoy the book!

Answer 2

Forget the nautical terms or look them up in the dictionary.

They have no relevance to what the story is about.

Try to understand what the story is really about.........the human heart in conflict with itself as it experiences the inherent good and evil in man.

Surely if you are a Jordanian and from a land rich in ancient stories of man dealing with this subject you will know that it is the subject matter in all great classics. From Camelot to Apocalyse Now to StarWars its all the same story.

Answer 3

Please list the expressions for a complete answer.

Answer 4

what points?

Answer 5

Ok, so please post those expressions and we will define.