Marlow as Buddha

"Marlow sat cross-legged right aft, leaning against the mizzenmast. He had sunken cheeks, a yellow complexion, a straight back, an ascetic aspect, and, with his arms dropped, the palms of hands outwards, resembled an idol" (37-38)

As Marlow tells his story to the quartet of men, Conrad says that he sits in the exact pose of Buddha. Marlow, much like the religious figure, sits cross-legged with his hands upward and his back against the closest thing to a tree available – the wooden mast of the yawl. Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Buddha, is the founder of Buddhism and is commonly portrayed as a meditating figure, which fits with Marlow’s intentions as he begins his tale, having the goal to avoid suffering and find internal happiness. Marlow also resembles Buddha in his quest for self-enlightenment, as he looks to find meaning in his life and experiences. He also discusses his Congo adventure as if it were many lifetimes ago – fitting with Buddha’s concept of multiple lives contained within one lifetime, as Marlow seems to have worked to detach himself from his time aboard the steamer in Africa.

Source:

About Buddha. Web. 24 Aug. 2009. http://www.aboutbuddha.org/.

Picture Credits:

Buddha. Digital image. About Buddha. Web. 24 Aug. 2009. http://www.aboutbuddha.org/english/index.htm/.