a woman blindfolded, carrying a lighted torch. Traditionally, we think of such an image as representing justice or liberty. Kurtzs painting is deceiving. She exemplifies the Company, willingly blinds itself to the horrors of its destruction in the name of civilizing. Ishmael points out that the only way to end the vicious ways of takers is to free themselves of Mother Culturethe nurturing mother of takers beliefs. As with Kurtz fiance and the painting, no person is going to exonerate himself of Mother Culture if he puts on his blindfolds.What is the ultimate goal? Ishmael reveals the source of takers mentalitytakers want to be gods. Takers act as if they eat at the gods own tree of wisdom, as though they were as wise as the gods and could send life and death wherever they please (Quinn 177). Takers believe that they can do better than the gods; they can take the gods work into their own hands. The difference between takers and leavers is that leavers live in the hands of the gods, while takers try to live beyond the reach of the gods. Some major symbols and images in the Heart of Darkness suggest man trying to accomplish his ultimate goal. As Marlow enters the Companys headquarters, he sees two women knitting on black wool. We see the Fates in Greek mythology working in this imagery. In mythology, the Fates have the awesome power of deciding mans destiny. They choose how long a man lives and when he dies. Even the supreme god, Zeus, could not escape them. A way to interpret this mythological image is that the black wool is the African culture, and like the goddess, the company is knitting the fate of the African culture. The Company decides life and death in the Congo region.Furthermore, at the headquarters, Marlow signs a contract of total secrecy about the Companys policies. Metaphorically, we might say he is signing of his soul to the devil. Christian philosophies preach that the devil tries to recruit human souls t...
