“Bon voyage” (45)

“Bon voyage” is French for “good journey” – usually translated as “have a good trip”. The denotation is, therefore, a positive one full of hope. In opposition, however, is the connotation of the phrase. At least in popular culture, “bon voyage” contains a much more ominous twinge. Even in Conrad's novella, the italics of the statement make it easy to picture Marlow saying it with a sigh and exasperation at his situation or possibly even sarcasm. This is one of many instances of foreshadowing in the novel as Marlow is not to have a pleasant trip into the Congo, which it appears that he may even recognize before his departure.