· Starts with Conrad remembering his initial desire to explore the unmapped lands of Africa
· He recalls looking at a map of Africa when he was about nine and telling himself “with absolute assurance and an amazing audacity” that he would go there when he grew up
· Then admits to having lost that eagerness and confidence
· Writes to his uncle of his desire to see him next time they both are in Brussels
· Thanks his uncle for his kindness in Cracow (where Conrad lived at teenager after his father died)
· Conrad regards his aunt as both a relative and a close friend and writes to her often
· Conrad experiences a lack of faith in the future, but continues to have an optimism and persistence that is necessary in the “wicked world” of Africa. This is shown in a letter to his aunt when he writes, “One doubts the future. For indeed—I ask myself—why should anyone believe in it? A little illusion, many dreams, a rare flash of happiness followed by disillusionment, a little anger and much suffering, and then the end. Peace! That is the programme, and we must see this tragi-comedy to the end. One must play one’s part in it.”
· Reveals his uneasiness about the fact that 60% of the Company’s employees return to Europe before they completed six months’ service. Others, still, are sent home so that they shouldn’t die in the Congo and ruin the “excellent” statistics. Only 7% complete their three years’ service.
· Feels grateful for the letters from his aunt that make his existence “slightly bearable” and begs for more letters
· Refers to himself as a “humble servant”
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