Heart of Darkness Super RRS

Transcription

1 Heart of Darkness Super RRS Serena Huang Hannah Hu Melody Hsu Vivian Lo Title: Heart of Darkness Publication Date: February 1899 Author: Joseph Conrad Nationality: British Author s Birth/Death Dates: December 3, August 3, 1924 Distinguishing Traits of the Author Joseph Conrad was born in Ukraine and grew up on the sea, working as a sailor on French and British ships that traveled to Australia, Malaysia, and the Belgian Congo. He developed his writing as an admirer of early modernist writers, later expanding his works to reflect his own pessimistic, dark writing style. Much of Conrad s work was adapted from his adventures on the sea and explored philosophical concepts or complex meditations about modern existence. In his later years, Conrad focused more on writing about domestic issues and life on firmly established civilizations rather than imperialist conquests. However, Heart of Darkness remains as Conrad s most famous work, raising concerning perspectives about the nature of mankind and the horrors of imperialism and foreign colonization. Setting of the Work Time: Late 19 th century Early 20 th century (Age of Imperialism) Brussels: Initially, Marlow views Brussels as the unavoidable beginning to his journey to the Congo. Although his position is more or less guaranteed thanks to his aunt, he still undergoes an interview and a medical examination here. While at the white, sepulcherlike city, he feels contempt for the Europeans there feeling they are full of it and are only pursuing money for themselves. He also feels an ominous sensation as though it seems he is entering into a door of darkness. When he returns after Kurtz s death, he is even more disgusted with the city and all the men with their greedy and empty souls. Disillusioned after his journey to the Congo and deep knowledge about the true nature of man, he acts crudely and bitterly towards most he encounters and is even pushed to lie; an act he detests with all of his being. Outer Station: The outer station is riddled with disarray and inefficiency. Marlow is practically offended at the lack of work getting done and all the signs of futility such as holes dug for no reason, rivets scattered on the ground serving no purpose, and a brick maker who has never made a single brick. Marlow tries to distance himself both mentally and physically from the inhabitants and the Europeans. Here he hears more rumors about Kurtz and more of the greed is seen in that the men are only concerned with themselves and have lost any sense of brotherhood.

2 Central Station: Marlow is immediately met with news of his steamboat being sunk. Although he is annoyed at having to waste time repairing his boat, he feels a sense of accomplishment in finishing the task and a feeling of discovering something new about himself in the process. He views more Europeans who worship materialism, which he calls them pilgrims, and he also encounters the Eldorado Exploring Expedition who have clearly come to the Congo solely to try to get rich. This station is in even greater disarray than the one before and the rivets that are scattered to the extent of blocking paths at the outer station are nowhere to be found in the central station where they are actually needed. He begins to feel the effect of the wilderness as he describes himself as becoming more savage, and he describes the jungle as a living entity waiting to take back what the Europeans took from it. Inner Station: Marlow finally meets Kurtz and he turns out to be a pitiful shadow of the great man he had heard about from all the stories and rumors about him. The natives worship Kurtz as a god and the heads of the human sacrifices they offer to him are on display in front of Kurtz s house. Marlow is appalled at the darkness Kurtz has fallen into and the direness of Kurtz s condition both physically and mentally. After they bring him aboard the ship, he tries to crawl back to the natives while immensely sick. Marlow, both disturbed and in awe of him, agrees to keep his documents safe from the prying eyes of the manager and to preserve his reputation to the best of his ability. Knowledge of Kurtz and his eventual death damages Marlow s psyche as he becomes extremely disillusioned with the world and is horrified at his glimpse into the true heart of darkness within man. Brief Plot Synopsis The narrator, Marlow, and three other men are stopped for a while aboard the Nellie and Marlow decides to tell the tale of his journey to the Congo to which he still does not fully comprehend the effect it has taken upon him. From the beginning, Conrad describes him as different from others with a pose like a Buddha, giving only a name to him and not anyone else on the Nelly, and separating his philosophy towards marine life and traveling from other sailors. Marlow speaks of the idea of civilization in relaying a time when Europeans were savages to Romans as well as his passion for exploration and immersing himself in new lands instead of living a normal seaman lifestyle. A map of the Congo had charmed him like a snake and he asked his aunt to use her connections to get him a job with the English company to explore the jungle. At the office, he encounters office ladies who resemble the fates, a sense of general greasiness and greediness from the other Europeans there, and an odd doctor who insists on measuring his skull and tries to pry information about his mental state. The man Marlow replaces died because he lashed out at a native over two black hens. On his trip towards the first station, he sees a man who hanged himself and his companion says there was no real reason for it. These events as he enters the Congo as well as his first glimpses of the natives in the horrid conditions the Europeans put him in foreshadow the effect that the Congo has over the men and the natives who suffer at the hands of greedy imperialists. Along the way, he hears whispers, rumors, and stories about a man named Kurtz in the Inner Station who brings back more ivory than all of the men combined. Seeing as how the Outer and Central Station are riddled with futility and

3 inefficiency, this comes as welcome news to Marlow who admires tasks getting done. Therefore, his journey to the Congo becomes less about the spirit of adventure and more about getting to talk to the enigma of a man that is Kurtz. Along the way, he meets more Europeans who continue to enforce the idea that they are all greedy for money and power. The fat man who constantly faints and the ElDorado Exploring Expedition who say they are only there for the money, the pilgrims who worship ivory and materialism, and the general manager who sinks Marlow s steamboat on purpose because he sees Kurtz as a threat to his position all serve as evidence to this constant idea. To the Europeans, the Congo is a place for them to take whatever they want, do whatever they want, and step on whomever they think is in their way. They treat the natives deplorably despite them not being enemies and having taken no real antagonistic stance against them. Navigating up the river to the inner station, Marlow feels thrust back into prehistoric times with the pervasive fog, intimidating jungle, and eerie silence. When the natives see his steamboat, they cry out in sorrow because they know that Kurtz will be taken from them. They attack the boat which later is revealed to have been ordered by Kurtz and Marlow s helmsman dies. When he finally meets Kurtz, he sees that the man is nothing like the greatness the rumors described him as nor true to the ideas he came in with initially with the intention of civilizing the natives. He has become power hungry and addicted to the worshipping of the natives and he even tries to crawl back to his throne at nighttime. Along the ship ride home, he whispers the horror, the horror with his last breath in a moment of clarity to how awful of a life he had led. Deeply affected by Kurtz s fall and atrocities, Marlow returns back to Brussels bitter and disillusioned with the world around him. He agreed to keep his reputation clean by keeping his papers safe from the manager and other people who approach him in an attempt to use the information to further their own careers. He meets with Kurtz s Intended and is in awe of her capacity to love and mourn the man so much, yet he is also disgusted and frustrated that the man she fell in love with disappeared when he entered the Congo. Despite his guttural and intense hatred for it, he lies to her by saying Kurtz s last word was her name. Back in present time, the way has cleared for the ship and they are on their way forward into the unknown. Brief Description of Characters Marlow: Charlie Marlow serves as the main narrator of the story and is described to have sunken cheeks, a yellow complexion, a straight back, an ascetic aspect, and, with his arms dropped, the palms of hands outwards, resembled an idol (3). Far different from other seamen, Marlow enjoys exploring new areas and has always been fascinated with venturing to the uncharted areas of Africa. Throughout the entire novella, Marlow is one of the only characters who is given a name, immediately contrasting him from the other characters as he is seen to have different perspectives about the darkness that exists in the world. From the very exposition of the book, Marlow presents the concept that although Europeans consider Africa to be an uncivilized, primeval place, Europe itself was once viewed to be savage as well before it was colonized. He values work and the idea being productive, for he seems to admire

4 those who are able to achieve progress in the midst of the disarray in the Congo. As a result, Marlow develops a kind of obsession over Kurtz, who, like Marlow, seems different from other men. However, Marlow harbors ambiguous emotions in regard to his experience in the Congo, finding that the entire journey was sombre enough, too and pitiful not extraordinary in any way not very clear either...and yet it seemed to throw a kind of light (9). Kurtz: Kurtz is the first-class agent of the Inner Station who is considered to be an accomplished, successful man, especially due to the fact that he collects more ivory for the Company than all other agents combined. As a man who is actually able to carry out his duties in a land that seems to lack progress or development, Kurtz captures Marlow s curiosity and drives him to continue his journey deeper into the Congo. Soon after meeting Kurtz, it becomes apparent that Kurtz has [forgotten] himself amongst [the natives] and was haunted by shadowy images now images of wealth and fame revolving obsequiously round his unextinguishable gift of noble and lofty expression (114). Worshipped by the natives as a godlike being, Kurtz exploits his followers into helping him obtain large amounts of ivory and is consumed with the idea of possessing everything that he may possibly lay claim upon. Greatly differing from the man he was prior to settling in the Congo, Kurtz allows the darkness of the wilderness to permeate into his soul as he acts without restraint in a land with no rules to subdue the horror of his greed (116). General Manager: The general manager embodies the selfishness and anarchy of the Europeans in the Congo. Although he is ordered by his superiors to rescue Kurtz, he sinks the ship in an attempt to delay long enough for him to pass naturally. He views anyone in his way, even someone as harmless as the Russian, as an obstacle to remove as he believes Anything-anything can be done in this country (29). Marlow explained that he inspired uneasiness and mused that [p]erhaps there was nothing within him no external checks (19). His leadership does nothing to keep natives or Europeans in line and his meddling with spies contributes more to the inefficiency of the company as a whole. His only reason for retaining his position for so long is that he never gets sick and he is willing to keep himself in power at the expense of other men. The metaphorical lack of substance within the Manager is symbolic of the absence of restraint that lies within men, suggesting that there is nothing to stop the Manager from doing as he pleases or committing acts of evil. Chief Accountant: The chief accountant appears like a miracle dressed in all white to Marlow after he sees the squalor of the natives conditions at the outer station. Marlow respects him as he is one of the first people he meets who seem to actually be getting anything done. Although he does somewhat mock his getup with calling his exterior that of a hairdresser s dummy, he does appreciate at least his attempt to keep up appearances in a place of such ruin and neglect (15). The chief accountant, however, is far from the purity that his starched outfit may suggest as he views the dying man in his cabin as a nuisance and regards him with only annoyance without an ounce of compassion (15). Brickmaker: The brick maker spies for the general manager at the central station by reading all the letters that come to the station. Using this information, he attempts to

5 gain a position of favor with Marlow at first because of his aunt s obvious influence in the company and he also views him as one of the gang of virtue because of her lofty praises of Marlow (23). Marlow finds this amusing, but becomes less amused in realizing this brick maker has never made a single brick in his life and although he is also responsible for bringing in supplies, he never seems to bring any of the rivets Marlow needs to finally finish repairing his steamboat. The brick maker s self-serving greediness reflects that of the rest of the Europeans as they are more concerned with furthering their own positions and efforts for finding fortune than they are with getting any work done or have any compassion for their fellow man. Russian: Dressed ornately in a harlequin s attire, the Russian is an avid follower of Kurtz and provides information to Marlow about Kurtz s actions. Although Kurtz had once tried to shoot the Russian for having ivory, the Russian continues to admire Kurtz and even nurses him through two illnesses. The Russian believes that [Kurtz] has enlarged [the Russian s] mind, much like how many others who know of Kurtz are drawn to what he has to say (90). As a representation of mankind as a whole, the Russian is an example of how society receives a those who appear successful, even if they are shrouded in darkness or savagery. Fresleven: Fresleven is the former captain of the steamboat who dies after he beats up a village chief over two black hens and is killed by the chief s son. Marlow is told that Fresleven was the gentlest, quietest creature that ever walked on two legs, emphasizing how much being in the wilderness has changed this man into a violently cruel person who would beat a native over something so superficial. Intended: The Intended is Kurtz s fiancee who continues to mourn for Kurtz even a year after his death. She claims to have understood Kurtz better than anyone else and believes that he had been a virtuous, respectable man who had a generous mind [and] noble heart (128). Remaining naive and innocent in regards to the true nature of what Kurtz had become, the Intended represents an idealistic, ignorant perspective that is oblivious to the dark world that men reside in. When she asks Marlow to repeat Kurtz s last words, Marlow lies by stating that Kurtz had said the Intended s name before he died, for Marlow believes that he must help [women] to stay in that beautiful world of their own (79). He finds that women should be left to their fantastical interpretations of the world rather than becoming subject to the true horror of mankind s greed and internal savagery. Like the European men who trust in the beneficial aspects of colonizing new, primitive areas, the Intended believes the illusion that men remain civilized and humane even when subject to a world of incivility. Native Woman: As Kurtz s mistress, the native woman heavily contrasts with the Intended, harboring characteristics that reflect upon the wild aspects of the jungle. When Marlow sees the native woman standing at the edge of the forest, he describes her to be savage and superb, wild-eyed and magnificent [with] something ominous and stately in her deliberate progress (101). While the Intended is pale and delicate, the native woman has a majestic, wild appearance that parallels what Kurtz has become during his time in the Congo. The two women represent the different sides of Kurtz; the Intended symbolizes Kurtz s initially remarkable, noble position as a successful trader

6 for the Company whereas the native woman personifies Kurtz s ambitious, power-driven desires as he begins to experience glory in a land with no constraints. As the two women come to accept Kurtz s departure from their lives, they both stretch their arms out in mourning, mirroring each other as they both appear to adore and honor Kurtz as a man that they believed to have truly known. Marlow s Aunt: Marlow is able to acquire a job at the Company with the help of his aunt, who is well acquainted with the members in Administration. Although Marlow refers to his aunt as excellent, he finds it to be embarrassing and degrading that he set the women to work...to get a job (11). Viewing his aunt as a another woman who is inferior to him and equally just as helpless, Marlow believes that it is shameful that he had to turn to a woman in order to obtain a job. In addition, when Marlow is traveling up the Congo, he is perceived with apprehension and mistrust by the other Company employees as he is represented poorly by his aunt. The Intended and Marlow s aunt are similar in that they are both naïve to the cruel realities of human nature. They believe that Kurtz and Marlow will be able to successfully bring order and spread morals among the natives in the Congo. They are also loyal to Kurtz and Marlow, respectively. The Intended and the native woman are similar in that both have intimate relationships with Kurtz, but the Intended is demure and ignorant while the native woman is headstrong and bold. Marlow looks down upon women and sees them as simple-minded compared to men. When discussing his aunt, Marlow is embarrassed that he has to ask her for her help and also points out how it s queer how out of touch with truth women are because they live in a world of their own that is too beautiful altogether (10). When discussing the Intended, Marlow justifies his lie to her about Kurtz s last words by stating that women are out of it should be out of it and that men must help them to stay in that beautiful world of their own, lest [the men s] gets worse (44). Marlow does not believe that women are capable of mental or emotional depth and that they must be protected by the men from the real world, generalizing them into one group. It is worth noting that Marlow never gives them names. This view ties into the theme of human nature and how it is only the views of society that keep people in line. Perhaps Conrad is implying that women are the reason for men having a false sense of morality when among civilization. Symbols White Worsted: Marlow encounters a starving native at the Outer Station with a small piece of white worsted around his neck. The worsted most likely symbolizes how the natives are enslaved by the white Europeans who abuse them and treat them like animals and less than human. Tightly around the native s neck, he is constantly weighed down by the inescapable presence of the white men and is harshly bound to their rule and exploitation. Heads on stakes: The heads on stakes that Marlow finds outside of Kurtz s house symbolize the extent of human cruelty when societal rules are absent. From the distance, Marlow assumes that these heads are simple wooden ornaments, but when

7 he gets a closer look he quickly realizes what they really are. He also realizes that only one is looking straight at him, representing how clear the truth about human nature is to Marlow at that point. Marlow s reaction is shocked, but he is more startled about seeing heads when he had been expecting ornaments rather than the fact that Kurtz has compelled the natives to perform these gruesome human sacrifices in his honor. This shows how even though it disturbs him, Marlow has already become desensitized to the cruelty of humanity. Oil Painting: Kurtz s existence is first directly evidenced by a small, oil painting of a draped and blindfolded woman carrying a torch against a somber, dark background. Symbolic of Kurtz s presence in the Congo, the image of the blindfolded woman holding the torch is indicative of how European civilization of foreign territories is an attempt to carry knowledge and development into unfamiliar surroundings. However, such imperialism is merely a blind effort that is likely to result in destruction. Although the woman is carrying the torch, everything around her is enveloped by darkness, much like how Kurtz continues to be consumed by the darkness that lies deep within his soul. While his intentions may have initially been benign and for industrious purposes, Kurtz loses sight of his humanity and becomes blind to his original aims, instead becoming lost to the darkness of his surroundings. Motifs Futility: Throughout his journey in the Congo, Marlow witnesses many bewildering acts that are utterly pointless. For instance, he witnesses a man-of-war firing at the African coast even though there are no enemy natives in the area. He also sees people detonating a cliff even though it is not in the way of the railway they are building. Marlow sees a large hole someone had dug for no discernable reason. He sees a bunch of dying natives who have taken refuge in the grove of death, used by the Europeans and mistreated before being discarded carelessly. When a grass shed full of supplies bursts into flame, a man tries using a pail with a hole in the bottom to put out the fire. Finally, when the pilgrims try to shoot a hippo every night, it is all for naught. These repeated acts of futility emphasize the pointless nature of the Europeans trying to civilize and cultivate the African wilderness. Work: Marlow is frustrated by the lack of work that is being completed by the Europeans in the Congo. The natives in the grove of death are taken advantage of, driven to their breaking point like machines, before being left to waste away. Although Marlow considers the accountant to be a bit foolish, he respects that he has actually done something by making a native woman make linen for him. When Marlow has to repair his steamboat, he admits that he dislikes work but also appreciates how he is able to discover himself and his capabilities. Marlow is bewildered by how no useful and necessary supplies are sent in, especially the rivets he needs, and how the brickmaker cannot make any bricks for this reason. Marlow becomes fascinated with Kurtz because he seems to be accomplishing something in the Congo, if his large amounts of ivory mean anything. Light and Dark: An ironic application of the motif of light and dark is used throughout the novel as light is used to illuminate and emphasize the darkness that lies within men.

8 The city of Brussels appears to Marlow as a whited sepulchre, seeming similar to a tomb or symbol of death, creating a rather morbid image with the light imagery of the city. In addition, Marlow comments that his entire experience in the Congo sheds a kind of light upon him, deepening his knowledge of men and what they become when placed in a land with no moral boundaries. The white ivory itself becomes a major instigator of Kurtz s demise, drawing him toward his own obsessive greed as he succumbs to the darkness of incivility and savagery. Rivets: The rivets that Marlow needs to repair his ship represent what is needed to keep human civilization together. Rivets are mechanical fasteners that join parts together. In the Congo, Marlow is unable to attain any rivets despite repeatedly asking for them. This mirrors how conditions in the Congo are falling apart due to lack of unity. Despite the Europeans claiming that they will bring civilization to the wilderness, they have actually brought chaos by disrupting the lives of the natives and the environment, and by their lack of accomplishments. Jungle: The jungle represents the darkness that lies in every man s heart. As Marlow travels along the Congo River, Marlow feels the overwhelming, oppressive presence of the jungle as he compares his journey to traveling back into prehistoric times. He catches frantic glimpses of the natives in the jungle. This motif is further developed when Marlow claims that the jungle has cast a spell on Kurtz, bewitching him into staying with the natives. Although Kurtz initially came to the Congo to spread his moral ideals, he succumbs to the evil inside of him and acts like a god to the natives, looting the land and allowing them to perform human sacrifices in his honor. The influence of the jungle is so potent, Marlow sees a disease-stricken and half-dead Kurtz crawling back into the jungle on all fours. River: The Congo River is an alluring force to Marlow at first, who compares the river to a snake that charms him as he stares at it on a map of Africa. However, as Marlow travels along the river on his ship, he observes that the current is slow and difficult, impeding his journey greatly. He also claims that he and the men on the ship are descending into the heart of darkness as they head for the Inner Station to rescue Kurtz. When they finally reach their destination, Marlow realizes how far Kurtz has fallen as a human being and what cruel acts he has committed. Thus, the river may represent a man s harrowing descent into madness as his true, dark nature is exposed in such isolation. Savages: The savages represent the true nature of humans without the influence of society. The Europeans are constantly compared to the savages. Although the Europeans have been educated and taught civilized behavior, they are less restrained than the actual savages.through society s influences, individuals do not need to have as much self-restraint since others judge individuals based on their actions. However, in the Congo, the savages must be able to restrain themselves. The Europeans who lack this self-restraint become prey to their violent and evil natures. They do only care about themselves and easily commit immoral actions or violence. The Europeans become savages that are even more frightening than the native savages themselves.

9 Disease: Disease and death are rampant throughout the Congo as forms of nature trying to take back its land from the Europeans. Although most of them fail to see the significance and only view it as a nuisance to their quests for fortune, it is a clear sign of the capacity of the wilderness to strip away their morals and soul. Marlow contracts a rather serious fever for a while as he goes up the river to the Inner Station. Kurtz also falls ill three times and the last spell kills him. The sickness is also symbolic of how his atrocities poisoned both his mind and his body permanently. Archetypes Young person from the provinces: Marlow is a British man who has wanted to explore the African Congo ever since he was a boy, so he is very pleased to get a job there. However, when he arrives, he quickly realizes that humanity is not what he believed it to be. He learns the dark, horrific truth of human nature through his experiences in the Congo. By the time he returns to civilization, Marlow has changed to the point where he scoffs at the rest of society s foolish idealism and ignorance. The Quest: Marlow s journey can considered as an archetypal quest in which he must overcome numerous obstacles in order to reach his final destination or goal. As he travels up the river, Marlow begins to hear of a mysterious man named Kurtz and becomes increasingly interested in meeting the man. His journey eventually becomes a mission to rescue Kurtz from the Inner Station and bring him home to Europe to recover from his illness. However, Marlow s journey comprises of several drawbacks, such as the sabotage and repair of his steamboat, the lack of rivets, the native attack on the boat when traveling up the river, and Kurtz s unwillingness to leave. Throughout the journey, the mystery surrounding the character of Kurtz and the horrid effects of the jungle increase the suspense of Marlow s trip, intensifying his experience. Light versus dark: Marlow s expedition starts in Brussels which he describes as white and sepulchral. As he journeys further into the Congo, the scenery becomes darker and darker as they near the man who has been stripped down to only his heart of darkness. As Marlow progresses, he sees more evidence of men who are willing to disregard the well-being of others in order to further their own immoral causes. Greed and corruption are plentiful in this dark wilderness as the light within men diminishes from continuous exposure. Fallen: As an archetypal fallen character, Kurtz experiences his moral demise throughout the duration of his stay in the Congo. Considered to be a great, remarkable man with intentions to enlighten the savages of the undeveloped Congo, Kurtz is regarded as a highly accomplished individual who is expected to be extremely influential over the natives. However, he does not expect to become lost to the enchantments of the wilderness and instead becomes obsessed with ivory and acquiring power, dominating over the lawless nation without any sense of restraint. He revels in his own image as a deity to the natives, raiding the land of its treasures and losing sight of his original intentions. Although Kurtz later may realize the horror of what he has become, he remains as a character who has fallen into the depths of darkness and evil, transforming drastically from the admirable man he once was.

10 Death: Death is abundant in the land and most have come to view it as insignificantly ordinary. A man hanging himself or on the verge of death from some disease contracted from the wilderness does not make any of them blink an eye as they only care about furthering their own agendas. The apathetic attitude toward the suffering of their fellow men highlights the way greed and darkness can strip away a man s humanity. Natural world opposed to mechanical world: Throughout the novel, Marlow describes the wilderness as a living presence ominously biding its time before taking back the land from the Europeans. In the end, nature will always prevail over man as is seen by the way the Congo morphs men into mere shadows of themselves and takes away many of them through disease and infectious savagery. Stripping away their morals and values, the men lose what makes them human and are permanently scarred from their experiences. Devil figure: After finally meeting him, Marlow describes Kurtz as a devil figure. Kurtz s obsession with being worshipped and his twisted belief that everything and anything belongs to him make him the most corrupt and evil man Marlow could ever imagine to see. The horror of his actions emphasizes how malevolent and wicked man is at the center without any morals or external checks. Tragic hero: Kurtz is a tragic hero. He starts as a virtuous and respected man. He is charismatic and has grand plans for his time in the Congo. He plans to use his power for good and educate the natives. However, he fell to the allure of power and wealth. Treated as a deity, Kurtz felt empowered. He could do anything without consequence. With this lack of self-restraint, Kurtz starts raiding villages and killing natives. He accepts human sacrifices without considering the moral implications. Kurtz falls into the darkness of human nature. Allusions Fates: At the Company, Marlow meets two women who are spinning black wool. These women represent two of the fates. One spins the threads and the other measures it. The two women at the Company observe all the people who go through, giving Marlow an ominous feeling. Perhaps they are judging the life and the fates of each man as they go to the Congo. The third fate who cuts the thread is conspicuously missing. She may simply not be needed since as the men go into the Congo, they cause their own ruin. Their lack of self-restraint and their greed drive them to an early death. Mephistopheles: Marlow describes the brick maker as a papier-mâché Mephistopheles who seems like he would crumble with just a touch. Mephistopheles is a demon in a German legend about a successful scholar who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for temporary power and knowledge. This reflects how the Europeans are willing to trade away their humanity and morals for a chance to strike rich in the Congo. Even if they do succeed, the long term effects of what crimes they committed to do so will leave permanent scars on their psyche. El Dorado: The myth of El Dorado is about a lost empire of gold. Many individuals have attempted to search for this empire of gold in South America. The exploring group of the

11 Eldorado Exploring Expedition is named after this lost empire of gold. The men are searching for riches in the form of ivory instead of gold. Just as El Dorado is a myth, the search for ivory is pointless. The men have no skills or knowledge to aid in their search, only their greed. This greed drives not only these men in search of ivory but also countless individuals who tried to find El Dorado. Jupiter: Kurtz is likened to Jupiter, the Roman king of gods, to indicate toward the power he is seen to possess over others. As an accomplished ivory trader who is worshiped by many, Kurtz bears a strong amount of influence over those who surround him, especially as he is viewed with high regard and respect. However, in spite of his comparison to the mighty king of gods, Kurtz ironically is also extremely powerless to his own susceptibility to human sin and evil. His strength and foundation of morals falls short of the presumed power he has and Kurtz falls to the effects of corruption and his weak inability to fend off the bewitching enchantment of the dark wilderness. Themes 1. Isolation/Alienation Through Marlow s journey, Conrad develops the theme that isolation from society may cause one to lose sight of his own morals, becoming increasingly dehumanized without others to regulate his actions. When Marlow first acquires his job, he discovers that the previous captain, Fresleven, had been killed after a scuffle over two hens with a tribal chief. Although Fresleven was initially received as a gentle, good-natured man, he transforms and brutally beats the native chief with a stick. Greatly contrasting in nature after spending a certain amount of time in the Congo, it is apparent that Fresleven has drastically changed and become much more savage. As he is separated from the rest of his civilized community and placed in a developing country, Fresleven is left without anyone to prevent him from acting rashly or impulsively. While Marlow is recounting of his voyage up the river to the Inner Station, he breaks the frame narrative to make a comment to the men aboard the Nellie. He remarks that the men aboard the boat are only civilized at the moment because of the presence of the policeman and other forms of authority. Otherwise, without the interactions with people who know and control the actions of one another, pure anarchy would arise and the world would fall into utter chaos. Marlow believes that the men who appear to be civilized only do so because they have people who restrain them from doing wrong. However, Marlow witnesses the occurrences in the lawless land of the Congo and presents the chilling notion that the absence of such individuals to regulate crime will ultimately lead to savagery and utter darkness. Once Marlow meets Kurtz, it becomes evident that Kurtz has fallen victim to his own isolation from society as his good intentions become replaced with greed and obsession. While in the Congo, Kurtz is worshipped as a deity by the natives, for he is able to collect abundant amounts of ivory by pillaging the tribal lands he encounters. He loses sight of his own humanity and exploits his power over the natives, who he believes are inferior to him. With no one to limit Kurtz from acting however he pleases,

12 he allows himself to descend into darkness and become a man who was once considered to be great and noble. 2. Hypocrisy of imperialism - Although the Europeans believed that the natives of foreign countries needed to be more civilized, many of them were actually more inhumane than the natives themselves. When Marlow arrives in the Congo, he sees the natives being cruelly used like machines. While heading towards the Outer Station, he stumbles upon the grove of death where many natives who are too debilitated to work are dying slowly of starvation and disease. After having been exploited and used like pieces of machinery, the dying natives have been discarded and left to waste away after they can no longer work efficiently. Despite the Europeans claiming to be more civilized than the primitive savages, here Marlow clearly sees the terrible, inhumane treatment of the natives who have done nothing to deserve it for the sake of European greed. Another example of the hypocrisy of imperialism is when Marlow considers the idea of restraint. Among the ship crew is a group of cannibals; however, they never attack or devour any human being, even when they are starving. This exercise in mental and physical restraint stands in stark contrast with the majority of the Europeans who lack this; for instance, Kurtz allows and encourages the natives to make human sacrifices in his honor. Even though the Europeans see themselves as the role models of humanity, Marlow is disturbed to realize that these primitive natives can possess even more self-discipline than the white people. Finally, Marlow acknowledges that these imperialistic ideals have been hypocritical throughout history. In the present day, when sitting on a boat in the River Thames, Marlow observes that in the past, the Romans must have considered the land of Britain to be as primitive and uncivilized as the Europeans consider the African Congo. After his experiences in the Congo, Marlow realizes that people of civilization are oftentimes no more civilized than the natives when no longer exposed to societal rules. Despite the Romans bringing civilization to England, the English and other Europeans have not really changed on the inside. 3. Moral Corruption- When humans find themselves without anyone enforcing societal rules, they become morally corrupt and reveal their capabilities of cruelty, greed, and megalomania. An example of how men are changed without moral enforcement can be seen in the previous captain, Fresleven. Despite others calling him the gentlest creature they have ever met, Fresleven brutally beats a village chief over the head during a minor dispute over two black hens before he is killed himself. With no policemen or other people of virtue in the Congo to stop Fresleven and remind him of his moral duty, Fresleven becomes cruel and unforgiving. He loses his self-control and becomes savage-like as he uses violence on the natives for superficial reasons. This may be a reflection of who Fresleven truly is when no one is enforcing societal rules in the wilderness. Another example of this can be seen in the general manager and his uncle. When the manager complains about the Russian trader interfering with the company s

13 profits, his uncle tells him to just hang the Russian because anything can be done in the African Congo. Without any remorse, the manager s uncle urges his nephew to take advantage of the lack of authority in the Congo by just executing anyone who competes with him. In the wilderness, their greed for profits and money has become deadly, as now people are willing to do anything to maximize their earnings, even if they must kill another. Finally, Kurtz is arguably corrupted the most by being exposed to the jungle for too long. While originally Kurtz strives to educate the natives and civilize them peacefully, he succumbs to their god-like treatment of him and lusts for more power as he loots the land and allows the natives to perform human sacrifices in his honor. Despite his initially moral intentions, Kurtz gives in to his overwhelming desire for power as he acts as though he deserves to possess everything around him. By the time Marlow reaches him, Kurtz has become someone Marlow considers a devil, a far cry from the man he once was. 4. Lack of Restraint- During his journey, Marlow introduces the horrifying concept that mankind, when placed in a situation that offers unlimited opportunities, will lack moral restraint and ultimately face its own destruction. Upon meeting the Manager s spy, a conniving brickmaker, Marlow likens him to a devil made of dust, expecting that he is filled with nothing inside him. Like the Manager, the brickmaker has nothing within himself to restrain him from acting unethically, for he internally has no sense of restraint or morals. As a result, the brickmaker feels guiltless even though he has never made a brick in his life and revels in his own laziness when residing in the Central Station. The empty dust that lies within the brickmaker is particularly symbolic of his lack of integrity in addition to the absence of his moral compass, allowing him to be representative of the corruption that exists in the Congo. As Marlow travels up the river to the Inner Station, he is met with a group of pilgrims as well as a group of cannibals. Although the cannibals are hungry as their rotten hippo meat is thrown overboard, they exhibit a surprising level of self-restraint as they refrain from acting upon their hunger. In contrast, the educated, European pilgrims appear to be far more uncivilized than the cannibals, for the pilgrims ruthlessly shoot at the natives who are merely running in fear of the approaching boat that will take Kurtz away. Rather than acting humanely as the educated men they are, the pilgrims find no reason to restrain their impulsive actions as there are no consequences to what they are doing. They become lost to the limitless nature of the Congo, acting however they please while they are assured that no one will reprimand the savagery of their actions. Once Marlow meets Kurtz, it becomes evident that Kurtz has fallen victim to his own isolation from society as his good intentions become replaced with greed and obsession. While in the Congo, Kurtz is worshipped as a deity by the natives, for he is able to collect abundant amounts of ivory by pillaging the tribal lands he encounters. He loses sight of his own humanity and exploits his power over the natives, who he believes are inferior to him. With no one to limit Kurtz from acting however he pleases, he allows himself to descend into darkness and become a man who was once considered to be great and noble. It is through this gradual transformation into an

14 unrestrained beast that Kurtz loses his morals, becoming subject to his own greed and desire for power. 5. Deception- Deception is a natural aspect of human nature as mankind inherently wants to listen for any sort of affirmation that justifies their actions or dispels the harsh reality of the world. As the European men travel into the Congo, they are led under the impression that they are enlightening and civilizing the native races that occupy the territory. They view their exploration of the country as a noble cause that is supposed to benefit the primitive, untamed tribes of savages. However, the men seem to be unaware that the Europeans are actually far more uncivilized than the natives, acting unethically as they reassure themselves with the misguided belief that they are saviors of the uncultured population of natives. The men faithfully believe a lie they have fabricated themselves, choosing to trust in the supposed greatness of their mighty deeds. As a devoted admirer of Kurtz, the Russian fails to see the cruelty of Kurtz s actions, instead focusing upon the misguided belief that his idol is truly a great man. The Russian appears to be extremely well informed of Kurtz s proceedings in the Congo, aware that Kurtz performs raids and pillages the land for its ivory. Nevertheless, the Russian continues to respect the extent to which Kurtz has achieved prosperity in the Congo and loyally remains as one of Kurtz s worshippers. Dismissing the inhumanity of Kurtz s cruel methods to obtain ivory and wealth in the Congo, the Russian chooses to focus upon Kurtz's accomplishments and blindly adores Kurtz for what the Russian has deceived himself into believing. Like the Russian, Kurtz s Intended admires Kurtz and thinks of him very highly, unable to recognize the extent of Kurtz s transformation in the Congo. As a result, the Intended readily accepts Marlow's lie that Kurtz s last words were the Intended s name, for she staunchly believes that she had known Kurtz well and that he loved her. She deceives herself into accepting the image of Kurtz that she once thought she knew and continues to lay faith in her perception of Kurtz as a remarkable, generous man rather than the ruthless imperialist he eventually becomes. As Marlow lies to preserve the fantasy of the world that he believes that women live in, the Intended trusts and accepts what she longs to hear as she hopes to preserve her idealized perception of Kurtz. 6. Nature of man - Nature will prevail as humans give in to their uncivilized and savage origins. Kurtz is originally an idealistic man who tried to enlighten the natives and use his power over them to improve their lives. However, as he becomes enamored with ivory, he starts to lose his values. The wilderness bewitched Kurtz and lured him in with power and ivory. Kurtz reverts to a savage and brutal state that is human nature. He does not consider his morals or values and singlemindedly pursues ivory. Greed consumes Kurtz so much that he loses himself to the ivory and raids nearby villages. There is no trace of his former self. Fresleven also gave into violence from his time at the Congo. He attacks the village chief over an issue about two black hens. Although others describe Fresleven as the gentlest person, his actions after spending a few years in the Congo prove

15 otherwise. Just like Kurtz, Fresleven gives in to his violent nature. He sheds his civilized character and gives in to the power of nature. While surrounded by nature on all sides, it is difficult for individuals to maintain their civilized behavior. Nature takes over as he attacks the natives and dies in the scuffle. The Eldorado Expedition is so blinded by greed that they go into the wilderness while unprepared. They do not have the courage or the skills to survive, but they search for ivory anyways. Their methods of searching for ivory are devoid of any moral values. They destroy nature and any villages. They become savages that are only fixated on ivory. They revert to their original human nature that is not suppressed by any restraints. A few days after they leave the station, the donkeys of the Eldorado Expedition are found dead. The men are assumed to have died as well. They succumb to nature due to their unrestrained greed. 7. Futility - When individuals lose their civilized manners and behaviors, their attempts to return to a civilized life are futile. The people that Marlow sees on the river bank near the Outer Station are savages who are not civilized. They are treated poorly and lay dying of disease and starvation.they are so uncivilized that they cannot even be recognized as human. Even when one of them attempts to quench his thirst in the river, he is not able to improve his condition and only needlessly expends his energy. These people are beyond saving and are left to wait for their deaths. The same occurs not just to other natives and Africans but to white men as well. Fresleven loses his civilized character during his time in the Congo and tries to exert his dominance over the natives over two chickens. He fights the village chief and dies. With no trace of the gentleman he once was, Fresleven is overtaken by madness and resorts to violence. Although Marlow speculates that Fresleven tried to assert himself, Fresleven s actions are in vain. He not only demonstrates the savageness inside him, but also loses his life over the scuffle. He is ultimately unable to gain back his selfrespect and becomes one of the many men who died in the Congo. This futility is also expressed in Kurtz s inability to escape from the lure of ivory. He becomes bewitched by power and riches, becoming a savage who raids villages for ivory. However, at times, he expresses a yearning to go down the river and return to the Central Station. Before he has the chance to go, he is once again taken in by the ivory. He goes on another raid and disappears for a few months. Kurtz tries to escape from the spell, but he always finds himself trapped and bewitched. Even when he is sick and on the boat, Kurtz crawls his way through the grass. He is ultimately unable to escape and dies in the Congo. Memorable Quotes Being hungry, you know, and kept on my feet too. I was getting savage (35). Anything anything can be done in this country (52). You should have heard him say, My ivory... My Intended, my ivory, my station, my river, my everything belonged to him. It made me hold my breath in expectation of

16 hearing the wilderness burst into a prodigious peal of laughter that would shake the fixed stars in their places...the thing was to know what he belonged to, how many powers of darkness claimed him for their own (80). All Europe contributed to the making of Kurtz (82). The horror! The horror! (96) - Kurtz s final words suggest that he realizes the horror of his actions. He repents for his savage and immoral actions of raiding villages and accepting human sacrifices. At the end of his life, he has a moment of clarity. He is finally able to break away from the spell that bewitched him. Kurtz has stepped over the edge and lost his humanity. Marlow is able to step back after witnessing the terrifying actions humans can take when they lose their civilized behavior. Only when a person reaches the edge and sees the horrifying drop can he be enlightened of the darkness of human nature. Having stepped over the edge, Kurtz has experienced the fall, and he is able to come to this enlightenment as well just before he dies. Distinctive Characteristics of the Work Novella, colonial literature, modernism Frame narrative- Through using a frame narrative, Conrad expresses the ambiguity behind Marlow s experience with the heart of darkness. As Marlow explains the story to his fellow passengers on the Nelly, he also reveals snippets of how profound the experience has been on him in that he himself does not realize how it has affected him. By way of his storytelling, his descriptions often contain contradictory ideas and he sometimes struggles to put some of his experiences and emotions into words because of the raw savagery and horror of it all to emphasize the way the wilderness can irreversibly change a man. Conrad s choice of structure enhances the theme of doubt and ambiguity.