Cannibalized Civility

“ ‘Catch ‘im,’ he snapped, with a bloodshot widening of his eyes and a flash of sharp teeth—‘catch ‘im. Give ‘im to us.’ ‘To you, eh?’ I asked; ‘what would you do with them?’ ‘Eat ‘im!’ he said curtly” (41).

One of the most prominent themes of the novel, the contrast between civilized man and uncivilized man is displayed in this dialogue between Marlow and one of the cannibals working for him. The cannibals on the steamboat have refrained from eating human flesh for many months while employed by Marlow, and they jump at the chance to have a taste of meat again. To Marlow, this is repulsive, but he acknowledges the need that even uncivilized men need sustenance.