Les Tricoteuses in Heart of Darkness

 Marlow meets a pair of women knitting -- to what Classical myths does this scene appeal, and why would such an appeal be significant in the context of the story as a whole?

The reference here is to tricoteuse. The term is used to refer to the old women who used to sit around the guillotine, splashed in blood, knitting during the Reign of Terror in France in the 18th century. Decisions on executions had to be made in public so these women were paid to be in attendance and give their opinion. It is significant to the context because these women are in Brussels (The whited sepulchre. At that time Brussels was supposed to be at the height of imperialism and civilisation. And yet you'd notice Marlow's description of the city is ironic or symbolic of death. These women can also be associated with hell or the underworld - like some kind of guardians. The men that were recruited mostly never made it back. It creates an ominous feeling - like these sailors were signing themselves up for death.

http://kr.img.blog.yahoo.com/ybi/1/07/70/youwony/folder/1418789/img_1418789_119_0?1125461248.jpg