Since I had peeped over the edge myself, I understand better the meaning of his stare, that could not see the flame of the candle, but was wide enough to embrace the whole universe, piercing enough to penetrate all the hearts that beat in the darkness. He had summed it up - he had judged. The horror!
In Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness," the narrator reflects on a poignant moment of understanding through shared experience. Having glimpsed the depths of darkness himself, he recognizes the profound nature of another character's gaze. This stare signifies a profound awareness that transcends the immediate, revealing an ability to perceive not just individual struggles but the collective essence of humanity caught in despair.
The character's judgment reflects a deep horror at the stark realities of existence, underscoring themes of alienation and the search for meaning amidst chaos. It illuminates a struggle to reconcile personal insights with broader existential truths, encapsulating the tension between understanding and the terror that such awareness can invoke.
