Heart of Darkness Articles

"Are Humans One Race or Many?" by Alfred Russell Wallace

• Published in 1870 and based on the science of natural selection at the time.
• Two contrasting arguments over the diversity of mankind.
• One believes that no race is "homogeneous"- there is a tendency to vary. Environmental changes are responsible for the differences in races.
• Opposing view argues within its own group that the race should have specific organization, whether it is a race of a hundred people or simply race based nations that spring into existence.
• Natural selection powerfully effects animals due to their "self-dependence and individual isolation" (219).
• Animals perish because of a simple injury or illness. In the animal kingdom, there is no mutual assistance between adults. Each animal is essentially on their own.
• Mankind's "natural selection" is evaluated very differently. Even in "the rudest tribes" the sick are at least assisted with food.
• Natural selection is therefore balanced. People with physical disadvantages do not face such an extreme penalty such as death.
• Mental and moral qualities are more influential on the human race.
• Mankind's intelligence has taken away nature's power to change humans based on external influences.
• Extreme changes in nature that affect animals don't have the same modifying power that it wields on humans.
• The mind is what changes based off of nature, not the body.
• The inhabitants of a temperate region are mentally superior to those in hotter climates.
• Invasions and displacements of races has always been from North to South. i.e. European colonization in Africa.
• Human features became fixed because the success of mankind is contingent upon the strength of its mental faculties. Physical abilities are of lesser importance.
  

"The Comparative Worth of Different Races" by Francis Galton

• Galton believes that in the future, civilization will lose its superficiality and overspread the globe.
• This is destined to happen because "civilization is the necessary fruit of high intelligence when found in a social animal" (224).
• Animals with a higher intelligence are at a greater advantage to those with physical strength. The most intelligent variety will "prevail in the battle of life" (224).
• The most social race of intelligent animals will also be the most successful.
• Galton established a system to measure the cognitive intelligence of different races into sixteen classes. (A-G) for those above the average, (a-g) below the average, and X for a genius and x for an "imbecile".
• Comparison based on the letter system between the Negro race and Anglo-Saxons, without accounting for the "social disabilities" of the Negroes.
• There are a few main observations that take place:

1. The negro race rarely produces class F individuals such as Toussaint l'Ouverture, the leader of a slave rebellion in Haiti.
2. The negro race is capable of having men who become "thriving merchants" and "good factors" or others above the average of white, but struggle with this since their intellectual standard is about two grades below.
3. A white traveler meeting a black chief will usually feel as if he was the better man because he can hold his own in their presence. The chief has knowledge that pertains to the tribe, but the traveler has knowledge "current in civilized lands" (226).
4. "The number among the negroes of those whom we should call half-witted men is very large". Mistakes that negroes make are often childish and simpleton-like.

I am the Alpha and the Omega

Without a doubt, the most symbolic portion of part IV of The Sound and the Fury is Reverend Shegog’s Easter Mass sermon. In fact, many of the biblical references that he preaches are directly connected to the state of the Compson family and even an retrospective look at past events. The Reverend makes assertions of the phrase “blood of the Lamb”several times throughout his sermon, clearly suggesting Jesus’s sacrifice and in time his resurrection. I didn’t really know much about the significance of the blood of the Lamb so I researched a bit. I discovered that the blood of Jesus is mentioned several times in the Bible as a powerful, sanctifying symbol that redeems individuals, brings peace, and cleanses sins. What character in the book committed the greatest act of sacrifice? Quentin of course, taking his own life. Was this an action taken to cleanse Caddy of her promiscuous wrong doings? Is it possible that his love for Caddy was the driving force to sacrifice his own flesh and blood? Caddy was also figuratively sacrificed by the family when she was cast out. The possible rebirth of the family was dependent upon Quentin. She was the member who had the potential to revive the family. She squandered her chance by sneaking out and following in Caddy's promiscuous lifestyle. This, in essence, represents the downfall of the Compson family.

Another prominent line in the section is when Dilsey states, "I seed de beginnin, en now I sees the endin" (297). Seeing as this portion of the section is closely intertwined with biblical meaning, it is reasonable to think that Faulker inspired her statement from the Bible's line, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life." Disley's line signifies her connection with the Compson family during its prosperous years, as well as during its current degradation. In a way, it parallels the cycle that human nature. With death comes revival.

The part of the quote regarding the water of life relates to Disley's unconditional love and support that she provides the Compsons with. The family gains the benefits of Dilsey's help without sacrifice on their behalf.

How else could the reverend's sermon be applied to different aspects of the novel? Are there any other substantial biblical references connecting to the characters?