Essay Questions

How does Conrad underscore the veracity of Black Superiority? - “A Black Mate”

Conrad concedes, “Competent authorities tell us that this earth is to be finally the inheritance of men with dark hair and brown eyes. It seems that already the great majority of mankind is dark-haired in various shades. But it is only when you meet one that you notice how men with really black hair, black as ebony, are rare.” Conrad upholds the exceptionality and omnipotence of blackness by mentioning trustworthy authorities. Consequently, black people are rendered a supreme sub-species that will take over the earth ultimately. The ratification of black superiority renders racism an injudicious notion that would be proved void ultimately. For Conrad, blackness is irreplaceable and elite; hence, it should not be subjected to undeserved preconceptions and labels.

How does Conrad epitomize dark humor? - “A Black Mate”

Conrad explicates, “Captain Hell, a bluff sea-dog with hairy fingers, in blue serge and a black felt hat pushed far back off his crimson forehead.” The name Captain Hell is an instance of dark humor that embodies the captain’s disagreeableness. Besides, Captain Ashton’s cynicism exemplifies dark humor: “ It was Captain Ashton who permitted himself the unpleasant joke of proclaiming once in company that “Johns is of the opinion that every sailor above forty years of age ought to be poisoned — shipmasters in actual command excepted.” Captain Ashton quotes John to mock him. The reference may sound humorous, but John would not make that endorsement in view of that he may be above forty years.

What is the consequence of personification in “The Brute”?

The ship is principally personified: “ She was as much of a terror in harbour as at sea. You could never be certain what would hold her. On the slightest provocation she would start snapping ropes, cables, wire hawsers, like carrots. She was heavy, clumsy, unhandy — but that does not quite explain that power for mischief she had. You know, somehow, when I think of her I can’t help remembering what we hear of incurable lunatics breaking loose now and then.” The personification translates the ship a ‘femme fatale’ whose intent is to devastate lives and to execute. The personification of the ship accentuates her pervasive vivaciousness. The title “The Brute” underwrites the personification by alluding to the malevolent intents of the ship from its inception of the story. The personification demystifies the presupposition that it is only masculine figures the mete out callousness.

Describe the covert Historical Allusion in “The Brute”.

Conrad reports, “The fuss that was made while that ship was building! Let’s have this a little stronger, and that a little heavier; and hadn’t that other thing better be changed for something a little thicker. The builders entered into the spirit of the game, and there she was, growing into the clumsiest, heaviest ship of her size right before all their eyes, without anybody becoming aware of it somehow. She was to be 2,000 tons register, or a little over; no less on any account. But see what happens. When they came to measure her she turned out 1,999 tons and a fraction.” The portrayal of Apse family surreptitiously alludes to the Titanic. Even though the construction and unveiling of the Titanic was glamorized, it turned out to be a disastrous conception. The deaths caused by Apse family mirror those that ensued after the promulgation the Titanic. Both ships do not live up to the outlooks of their constructions. Moreover, both the Apse family and Titanic are epic ship that draw colossal scrutiny and consideration and so are their corollaries.