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Heart of Darkness

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“The day was ending in a serenity of still and exquisite brilliance (S). The water shone pacifically; the sky, without a speck, was a benign immensity of unstained light; the very mist on the Essex marshes was like a gauzy and radiant fabric (m&s), hung from the wooded rises inland, and draping the low shores in diaphanous folds. Only the gloom to the west, brooding over the upper reaches, became more somber every minute, as if angered by the approach of the sun. (H)”
S- syntax
M&S- Metaphor and simile
H- Hyperbole
Conrad used syntax, metaphor and simile and hyperbole in this passage. He used syntax to stress how the day was ending and make it more detailed. With the use of a metaphor and simile he compared the Essex marshes to a “gauzy and radiant fabric” giving the reader an idea of what the marsh may look like. With this literary device Conrad is trying to draw a picture for the reader. Lastly, Conrad uses a hyperbole to really exaggerate the gloom over the west. With the use of “somber” and “angered” he is exaggerating the gloom giving the reader an idea of to what extent the gloom is.

"The idleness of a passenger, my isolation amongst all these men with whom I had no point of contact, the oily and languid sea, the uniform somberness (D) of the coast, seemed to keep me away from the truth of things, within the toil of a mournful and senseless delusion. The voice (S) of the surf heard now and then was a positive pleasure, like the speech of a brother (A). It was something natural, that had its reason, that had a meaning."
D-Diction
S- Symbolism
A- Anthropomorphism In this passage Conrad uses the literary devices of diction, symbolism, and anthropomorphism. The word somber or “somberness” as said in this particular passage is used throughout the novel creating a repetition of diction. With this repetition of diction the reader can infer how Conrad feels when he uses this word in descriptive context. With the literary device symbolism Conrad is using the “ voice” of the surf to symbolize how he is just now realizing what is happening to him and how he is losing his mind. He uses symbolism to display a mysterious source relaying information to him. Lastly, Conrad uses the literary device anthropomorphism in which the sea is speaking to him. With the use of a anthropomorphism it can be understood that Conrad is making it seem like Marlow is getting the idea from an outside source but it is really within his own realizations.

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