Charlie Marlow and an experience he had as a younger man. Early in

the novel it becomes apparent that there is a great deal of tension

in Marlowıs mind about whether he should profit from the immoral

actions of the company he works for which is involved in the ivory

trade in Africa. Marlow believes that the company is ignorant of the

tension between moral enlightenment and capitalism . The

dehumanization of its laborers which is so early apparent to Marlow

seems to be unknown to other members of the Companyıs management.

In this story Marlowıs aunt represents capitalism. Her efforts to get

him a job are significant because of the morally compromising nature

of the work of which she seems totally ignorant. When Marlow expresses

doubts about the nature of the work, she replies, ³You forget, dear

Charlie, that the labourer is worthy of his hire² (12). It is clear

that Marlow has mixed feelings about the whole idea. At one point,

trying to justify his actions to himself, he says, ³You understand it