Women vs. Men

     I think the reason that Marlow tells Kurtz's fiance that his dying words were her name is because of the stigma that has always been placed on women. Most men, especially in previous centuries, believe that women are much more fragile than men and should be protected from the harshness of the world. Marlow was going along with this stereotype when he lied to Kurtz's fiance about Kurtz's dying mantra and his own relationship with Kurtz. Conrad only helps to enhance this preconceived thought by the way that he presents Kurtz's fiance. He describes her entrance as merely "...a pale head, floating towards..." Marlow in the sitting room. Conrad continues on to make her seem so gullible and uninformed--he makes it impossible for Marlow to have ever told the truth to this frail, mourning woman. The mere fact that Conrad does not even reveal her name to the reader slaps her in the face with the inferiority that men always chain to women. As Kurtz's fiance continues to speak, she reveals that she knew Kurtz better than anyone else on this earth--or so she thinks. Everything that she is telling Marlow about Kurtz is in complete contradiction with what Kurtz had surely morphed into while he was out in the darkness. Because of society's thoughts of women being unable to handle the realities of the world outside of their own, Marlow simply lets her believe that Kurtz had continued on as a fine and upstanding gentleman. When Kurtz fiance proclaims that "[m]en looked up to him,--his goodness shone in every act" it is impossible not to think that she sounds like a complete imbecile when we think back on what Kurtz had truly become. He had turned into a monster who slaughter humans and animals alike for merely the chance to obtain more ivory and money for himself. He was simply a greedy man. Why should Marlow ruin that blissful dream that she still had of him in her mind?
     This idea of women not being able to handle the same trials and upsets as men can, is very similar to the treatment that was exhibited in Electra. This is a recurring theme throughout all works of literature from earlier times. All men believed that women could never be equal to men in both physical and emotional aspects. Yet women were still considered to be the only present force that could turn a house into a home; which is ironically still very important to men. If women were treated more equally in the past and also today, they might be more willing to provide the nurture and care that men still so desperately need. In my mind, that is more power than men will ever have in their lifetime.