In Chance,
The Shipping Master Powell holds a key position inasmuch as he is said
to resemble the bust of Socrates wearing a high top hat. The Socratic
method of questioning and then exposing the inadequacy of the answer is
reflected in the inner dynamics of Chance: Marlow's telling of the
story of Flora de Barral becomes a confrontation with questions about himself
in relation to woman. Marlow's repeated admission of errors results in
his questioning of man's position toward woman and brings about his final
freedom from skepticism. His growing readiness to give up his unconcerned,
irresponsible attitude and to get seriously involved in life goes hand
in hand with an increasingly positive presentation of Flora.
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Victory presents
a contest of minds and philosophies and different items of headwear serve
as clues to the course the mental contest takes. Originally Mr. Jones,
Ricardo, Heyst, and through him Lena, are featured in "cork helmets," which
symbolically suggest power, martial prowess, and lofty thoughts. With the
arrival of Mr. Jones in Samburan the picture changes. The woman hater is
betrayed by Ricardo, and Heyst has to admit himself "disarmed" in every
way. Now their headgear is referred to as "hats," and helmets are not mentioned
again. Instead, a purple veil is to ensure Lena's safety in the night,
but instead of covering herself with it, she holds it in her hands. Heyst's
sensation that Lena is "veiled" to his comprehension points at the veil
as symbolizing qualities in woman that evade man's comprehension. The purple
color increases this symbolic effect, and holding it in her hands, Lena
expresses the determination to rely on those qualities in dealing with
Mr. Jones and Ricardo. Thus she brings about a confrontation of all male
characters with the truths of their situation. Added to the veil symbol,
Lena's names Alma and Magdalen further emphasize the representative nature
of her role.
Seen within the historical context of their creation, these novels echo contemporary issues and developments. Marlow's role in Chance illustrates how "women's liberation is really men's liberation." Victory leads the reader to see the consistency with which Mr. Jones is likened to Lucifer and that the author pays tribute to women by dealing out a miserable end to the woman hater. Both novels thus emphasize the importance of Conrad's seemingly weak or insignificant female characters as they serve in one way or another to make thruth assert itself.
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