Heart Of Darkness Gender Roles

It is common to interpret male domination as men forcing their naturally given traits, ultimately physical strength and size, and using this to assert themselves as superior to the female sex. However, the absence of women in the male characters’ lives throughout Heart of Darkness shows not only women’s perceived unnecessary role in males’ daily lives, but also the male attitude of women as completely useless and lacking necessary skills. Through Conrad’s writing, readers get the opportunity to see the male perception of women during the 1800’s, and how men dealt with not only inactive, but also active, women in society. The lack of female presence in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness shows the excessive sense of power men believed they had
during the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s not only in Western society but across all worldwide locations. The treatment of women at the turn of the century was universally sexist and unquestioned. Women were primary caregivers and rarely had influential roles outside of the house. Women were oppressed and expected to serve their husbands and male figures in their lives. Due to this treatment, it brainwashed men into believing they had a right to power over their wives. This power often led to recurring and normalized violence, including physical, emotional, and verbal violence. If a women desired a college education during the 1890’s, it was unlikely for her to marry; over half of female college graduates during this time period never married ( Women’s 1). Women’s rights were not only lacking in the household, but there was also unequal treatment for them in the legal force. In 1874, women were denied the rights to vote in the Supreme Court; the Court justified them as a special category of “non-voting” citizens (Women’s 2). Such examples of the type of environment women lived in reflect directly to the men putting these types of treatment onto women. The way in which men cared for and acted towards women is a symbol of male characteristics, such as overbearance and disrespect and has no reflection of women. Unjust treatment of women resulted in women’s lack of voice, ultimately leading to the male’s drive to gain even more power over females. The recurring vision of women as inferior to men is common due to the low level of respect and dignity granted towards females during this male dominated time. Along with the absence of women in the novel comes the absence of female sexuality. Conrad describes male anatomy in a feminine matter. “His shoulders were pressed to my breast; I hugged him from behind desperately” (66). The way in which Conrad describes this particular event shows the lacking of corresponding romance between male and female characters. Written in Feminist And Gender Criticism the author furthers this same idea in showing the importance of the writing style about the female body. “Most obviously essentialist would be those feminists who emphasize the female body, its difference, and the manifold implications of that difference” (169). Conrad makes clear in his writing the difference between the bodies of males and females- both bodies and people having completely different purposes in his mind.
Throughout the novel, Marlow, the independent-minded protagonist, believes males are responsible for the creation and progression that exists within the society. According to him, all the greats of the world that have had impact on their surroundings were men-generally inferring that women do not play a significant role in extraordinary events of the time. “It had known and served all the men of whom the nation is proud, from Sir Francis Drake to Sir John Franklin, knights all, titled and untitled-the great errant of the sea” (18). Marlow’s choice to proudly bring to mind powerful men of his country’s past and to leave out influential women during the same time dramatizes his bias towards the male gender in terms of accomplishments and their overall additions to society. The idealism during this time period demonstrates the universal superiority of males; this exact idea is practiced sporadically through Conrad’s writing.
The truth in the novel is that the men perceive women as uneducated and lacking in common sense.
Not only do male characters consider themselves significantly more capable in all areas of life, but they also view women’s lifestyle as unproductive and useless. “It’s queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in a world of their own, and there had never been anything like it, and never can be” (27). This socially accepted idea of women is normalized due to no significant female figure being brought to the surface throughout the novel. Marlow has the perception that all women are naive and impractical. Male characteristics also play a large role in the portrayal of women. The stereotypical male during this time period was thought of as aggressive and fearless. “I remembered his abject pleading, his abject threats, the colossal scale of his vile desires, the meanness, the torment, the tempestuous anguish of his soul” (90). The immense focus on displaying men as physically stronger shows the significant difference between male and females during this
era.
Although the presence of women throughout Heart of Darkness is sparse, the few women that do have appearances in the novel play significant and justified roles. Marlow speaks about his dear aunt who had an extremely influential role on him. Marlow’s aunt uses the influence of her friends to give him the opportunity to get his post as a steamboat pilot for the company. “I had an aunt, a dear enthusiastic soul. She wrote ‘It will be delightful. I am ready to do anything, anything for you. It is a glorious idea” (23). Marlow’s aunts counterpart with securing the job is crucial for the progression of the novel, furthering the argument that even though the quantity of women in the novel are lacking, their intended purposes are unique and significant. Furthermore, Marlow’s aunt, being one of the only female characters in the novel, not only plays a major role in his career, but also in Marlow’s health. “My dear aunt’s endeavours to ‘nurse up my strength’ seemed altogether beside the mark” (87). The dominant role this suggested “minor” character plays, contributes to the ironic idea of Conrad’s writing and his views on gender rights. Kurtz, a dying man who works in true ivory country, possesses a Congo native women who is valued as his mistress. His native mistress is powerful and bold, a complete different embodiment from the Intended who are displayed as meek and speechless. “She must have had the value of several elephants tusks upon her. She was savage and superb, wild-eyed and magnificent; there was something ominous and stately in her deliberate progression” (76). The immense fascination with this women clarifies the complete lack of acknowledgement towards other women. The characteristics this particular female possesses comes as a shock to Kertz, meaning he has not given other women the opportunity to prove their worthiness going beyond just appearance. However, Marlow has different perceptions of the Intended women. He continuously views them as worthless and unnecessary to society. “Girl! What? Did I mention a girl? Oh, she is out of it-completely. They-the women I mean-are out of it-should be out of it. We must help them stay in that beautiful world of of their own” (63). Marlow’s deep opinion of the pointless role women play in society is addressed throughout the novel.
Women during this time period are seen specifically as sexual objects, not subject to their own beliefs or scholarly characteristics.
This being said, it does not come as a shock when the initial reaction from the men towards the females is strictly based off of looks. “Two women, one fat and the other slim” (24). The looks aspect of Marlow’s view on women is the only characteristic in which he feels threatened or intimidated by. Marlow’s description of females infers that their beauty or lack of beauty is the only way in which he what he distinguishes and classifies them. The female spouse’s purpose is to fulfill her male partner's desire and fit accustom to their needs. “She was nothing so solid in make, and rather less pretty in shape, but I had expended enough hard work on her to make me love her” (44). Marlow’s need to justify every aspect of this women and pick apart her image represents not just his shallow opinion of her, but of women in
general.
It can be interpreted that Conrad’s writing distinguishes women in Heart of Darkness as oppressed due to the miniscule role females play. The overbearing function that males have proves Conrad’s belief in female dependency and reliance on males. The few females that play roles throughout the novel contribute to the idea that females do play significant roles in society. However, Conrad and other members of society during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s surface this idea. The universal segregation placed on women during this era relates to the immense overbearing power men believe is entitled to them.