Throughout Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, women are thought of as the inferior sex. This aspect of female inferiority is highlighted by only three women occurring in the novel: Marlow's aunt, Kurtz's mistress, and his "intended". Joseph Conrad, as an author, did stress this through the novel. Since this mentality is typical for that time period, many characters, especially Marlow, emphasize this way of thought. This thought is best brought out by Marlow's interaction, and commentary on the women in the story.
             Beginning in the novel, we encounter Marlow's thoughts of his aunt, and how he "...set the women to work-- to get a job." This comment implies how he inquired upon his aunt to financially support him in his pursuit to compete in the trade business. This explains how Marlow managed to have the opportunity to travel the Congo, ironically with the help of a woman. In this respect the reader would infer that Marlow may have more than an average respect for women, but that is very much untrue. The reason behind Marlow's thought of women may be attributed to the times, but here it may be speculated that because of women to give in to men, and honor their request it is reason for their weakness.
             Upon Marlow's arrival to the Inner Station a second female character is mentioned, Kurtz's "intended". This is Kurtz's fiancée and they had planned to wed with his return home. She does not initially appear in the novel until the very end. Marlow's mentality of women is once again highlighted with his deliberate lying to her about the context of Kurtz's dying words. Marlow plays of the vulnerability of women, whether for intentional moral respect, or lack there of. Marlow telling this lie could be seen as his way of easing her pain, her knowing she was the last thought of Kurtz. Marlow's telling this for his own pleasure could be anoth...