The Heart of Darkness
The Heart of Darkness has two storytellers: Joseph Conrad, the author, and the other being Marlow the story's narrator. The narration that takes place is conceived mostly from Conrad's opinions. Conrad is using Marlow as the embodiment of all the goodness that he represents. "But Marlow was not typical...His remark did not seem at all surprising. It was just like Marlow. It was accepted in silence" (p. 68). "Marlow sat cross-legged right aft, leaning against the mizzen-mast. He had sunken cheeks, a yellow complexion, a straight back, an ascetic aspect, and with his arms dropped, the palms of his outwards, resembled an idol" (p. 66).
By doing this not only is Conrad implicates (or accuses) society of its terrible actions but he is also excluding himself. Throughout Marlow's narrative there is no place where he ponders whether or not he has the right idea or even if his opinion is biased to his own liking. There is no way that any that we can verify the validity of his story but yet Marlow assumes his listeners and readers will believe his account. Strangely enough, after such a tale on the shameful acts of society, Marlow (or Conrad) expects us to believe his tale and maybe even attempt to change our actions.
Ironically, we can assume Marlow's listeners and readers have been touched by this account. The story and it's teller seem sincere but yet there is more than that. Marlow in this way has become like Kurtz, a voice that craves to be heard by its listeners. It is in this way that Kurtz and Marlow are both mouth pieces for Conrad's voice. Conrad is questioning society for its flaws but while doing so he must also question himself. After all the crimes he's accusing society for he must prove himself a worthy judge. Society nurtures the recognition of these crimes but it does not encourage the correction of these problems.
Both in Africa and in London, Marlow sees corruption and the paths to chaos but yet it is so much easier for him to condem the events that take place in both places than to hold someone accountable for the injustices. There is no way to finish reading The Heart of Darkness and not wonder why Marlow did not tell his tale to the owner's of the company. How could Marlow withhold the valuable information about the human nature that Kurtz had revealed to him? Perhaps it would make the novel less realistic but then what does that ultimately say about this society. Conrad is taking the responsibility of portraying these horrors, regrets their existence but yet does nothing and presents no solution. In the same way does society shape and mold man according to it's whim and desire.
Society does nothing to man but reveal what he is. Any form of media where people are given the freedom to express themselves is a clear example of this. Some may argue that television is manipulated by executives with an agenda to make the ratings rise and it probably is true. What we need to ask ourselves is who they are marketing to. If you are opposed to the violence or sex on television then don't expose yourself to it or change it. The changes must start within yourself. If there is no one to market to then there will not be a need for it. If there was no need for ivory would Kurtz or Marlow have ever been in Africa seeking it, most likely not. Conrad can use Marlow and Kurtz to make an example of the disparity of life but he must also take that first step at making a change.
Conrad paints the picture of being faced with a reality so tremendous that it is termed the heart of darkness but then after offering it to us, he leaves us reeling from the impact but does not give us the next step. The same with society, after years of self-discovery and humbling experiences we will eventually find who we are and what we are here to do and then we wonder what to do next.
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