“. . . Government of Tambov. . . ” (96)

Tambov was, at the time of Conrad’s writing, one of 12 administrative districts in Russia (see map at left). It makes sense that the sailor babbling and introducing himself as from Tambov says that he is the son of an arch-priest, because the region is, at the time of the novella, a seat of the Russian Orthodox Church. While it is unlikely that Marlow himself is of the Russian Orthodox Church, since he is not from Russia, he and the rest of the crew are at least moderately religious in nature, so this connection with the church of another’s homeland is fitting.

Source:

"Tambov, Russia (Government)." 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica - Free Online. Web. 24 Aug. 2009. http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Tambov,_Russia_(Government).

Picture Credits:

Tambov. Digital image. RussiaTrek.com. RussiaTrek.com. Web. 24 Aug. 2009. http://www.russiatrek.com.