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Analysis of the novel Heart of Darkness
Analysis of the novel Heart of Darkness
Analysis of the novel Heart of Darkness
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There is one absolute certainty in life --death. Often euphemized as the “great equalizer”, death transcends all things that divide people: be it race, gender, religion, etc., and effects everyone that has: ever lived, is living, or will live. Joseph Conrad in his novella “Heart of Darkness”, shares the death of an imperial ivory tradesman, in order to uncover the dehumanizing subterfuge of justifying Imperialism. The main literary mechanism Conrad employs in “Heart of Darkness” is the characterization of Death itself. In which Death, and how it is described and alluded to, reveals the central idea of the wrongful justification of Imperialism. To illustrate this idea, the main narrator of the story --Marlow-- shares the tale of his adventures …show more content…
This was my chance, and it made me the more anxious to go.”(p.7) This quote acts as the first characterization of Death in the novella: as an opportunity. Marlow proclaims that through the misfortune of another, he is reward with the opportunity to better himself, hence the building of excitement expressed as anxiety. With Death being perceived as positive fortune, the overarching theme of Imperialism, conquering the natives for personal benefit, comes across as contextually justifiable. Additionally, a brief allusion to the Greek mythological Fates takes place as Marlow encounters two women knitting and directing future captains at the Customs House. Traditionally, the Fates are cloaked in all white and are weaving the thread of destiny, but the Fates in Heart of Darkness are weaving black wool. Marlow even …show more content…
Death’s characterization of opportunity begins to fade as it becomes more ambiguous. The shift to ambiguity is symbolized in the literal and metaphorical fog Marlow and his crew encounter. Previously before the fog, Marlow explains, “at night sometimes the roll of drums behind the curtain of trees would run up the river...Whether it meant war, peace, or prayers we could not tell”(Conrad), which highlights Marlow 's growing doubt in the previous optimistic characterization of Death. With the native’s lurking presence, he is constantly reminded at night that he does not know if they will be friendly to him or if they wish to kill him. Uncertainty settles in. Later when the fog sinks in, a paradigm shift occurs where uncertainty overhauls Maslow 's previous characterization of Death into a more indifferent role. When Marlow describes the fog he states, “It did not shift or drive; it was just there, standing all around you like something solid.” Up and to this point in the novella, Death was understood as an opportunistic force but is now perceived as an omnipresent character similar to how Marlow describes the fog. It is important to distinguish that, Death that is not shifting its character, but Marlow 's understanding of Death that shapes his shifting
Heart of darkness is a book composed by Joseph Conrad This novel is about a journey in Congo is based on Conrad's experience of the Congo region of West Africa. Conrad was sent to Congo to rescue a company. The story is spoken in the words of Charlie Marlow in the time of imperialism the work itself as one criticizer puts it might most functionally be believed hyper-canonized. Countless forms of criticism have seized on the subject matter inside the book. Feminism, psycho-analytic, Marxism have all had things to say concerning the novel. It debates things such as imperialism, the psychology of Marlow and Kurtz, the act of women in the novel both factually and symbolically, all these subjects are vital cases in the novel. In this essay I am
Asking the right questions is indeed an art form . It is however an even bigger burden to try to answer from an analytical presepective these subjective questions which inspire answers and explanations to the ultimate “why” and “how” . As readers we are obligated to carry with us an open mind, an analytical eye and room for suggestive arguments when trying to dissect a piece of writing. Joseph Conrad's novella Heart of Darkness offers the perfect platform for interpretation. With a dozen shades of foggy gray's, the short story is begging for a set of eyes that can see it through. Without proceeding too far into the novella, one can draw out a great deal of analytical suggestions as to what the title itself implies. The word Darkness seems to be a consistent theme throughout the book. So much so, that the amount of weight it carries has given it a special place on the cover. Many critics have found common ground on deciphering the interpretation of the word .The concept of darkness could be respresenting evil. However, some significant subjective questions remain unaswered: Exaclty which character in the novella has fallen victim to this evil? Is it Conrad himself, Marlow, Kurtz or the natives? All of them? Are there different forms in which this evil can manifest itself? Is it talking about darkness in the literal or figurative sense? Would we be considered naïve if we thought evil could be contained or is darkness a necessary evil we all posses and an undeniable part of our reality?
Heart of Darkness is Joseph Conrad's tale of one man's journey, both mental and physical, into the depths of the wild African jungle and the human soul. The seaman, Marlow, tells his crew a startling tale of a man named Kurtz and his expedition that culminates in his encounter with the "voice" of Kurtz and ultimately, Kurtz's demise. The passage from Part I of the novel consists of Marlow's initial encounter with the natives of this place of immense darkness, directly relating to Conrad's use of imagery and metaphor to illustrate to the reader the contrast between light and dark. The passage, although occurring earlier on in the novel, is interspersed with Marlow's two opposing points of view: one of naïveté, which comes before Marlow's eventual epiphany after having met Kurtz, and the matured perspective he takes on after all of the events leading up to his and Kurtz's encounter.
The use of disheartening diction at the beginning of the passage allows Conrad to set the tone for the rest of the book. As Marlow is stepping through the forest, he notes of the dying people “… nothing but black shadows of disease and starvation, lying confusedly in the greenish gloom.” This is Marlow’s initial response when he saw of what became of the workers. Conrad’s addition of “disease and starvation” makes it seem as if a famine had occurred where Marlow is and the people themselves looked like the products of misery. This allows Marlow to remark of how tirelessly the workers are being pushed and they are making their own
The novel, Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, is literally about Marlow’s journey into the Belgian Congo, but symbolically about the discovery of his heart and soul during his journey, only to find that it is consumed by darkness. He realizes that the man he admired and respected most, is really demonic and that he may be just like him. He is able to come to this realization however, before it takes the best of him.
“Death, the end of life: the time when someone or something dies” (Merriam-Webster, 2014). The definition of death is quite simple, the end of life is inescapable. I chose to write about death and impermanence because it is something we all must inevitably face. People often deal with death in a number of different ways. Although it is something that we must eventually face, it can be hard to come to terms with because the idea can be hard to grasp. Some of us fear it, others are able to accept it, either way we all must eventually face it. In this essay I will look at two different literary works about death and impermanence and compare and contrast the different elements of the point of view, theme, setting, and symbolism. The comparison of these particular works will offer a deeper look into words written by the authors and the feelings that they experiencing at that particular time.
As Marlow assists the reader in understanding the story he tells, many inversions and contrasts are utilized in order to increase apperception of the true meaning it holds. One of the most commonly occurring divergences is the un orthodox implications that light and dark embody. Conrad’s Heart of Darkness brims with paradoxes and symbolism throughout its entirety, with the intent of assisting the reader in comprehending the truth of not only human nature, but of the world.
Imperialism, Symbolism, and Materialism in Heart of Darkness. In Conrad's Heart of Darkness Marlow, the main character, symbolizes the positiveness of Imperialism. Marlow, as a character, realizes the evil that negative Imperialism has caused and decides it is truly unnecessary. When Marlow states, "I have got a heavenly mission to civilize you," he expresses his good intentions to help the Africans progress and advance.
In a complex society, people are forced to make many hard choices. For thousands of years, people have theorized if these choices were truly made by themselves, or predetermined by an omnipotent being. In the late 19th century, Modernist writers became fed up with the Romanticized view of self-determination and the perfection of society in previous works of literature. One such author was Joseph Conrad, who tackled this issue in his novella Heart of Darkness. From the perspective of Marlow, the reader learns about a mythical figure stationed in the center of the Congo whom Marlow is destined to meet. Conrad manipulates Marlow’s journey with his established interest in the Congo, the apparent inevitability of certain events
In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, characters are confronted with ethical dilemmas that transmute their observations and engagements. Marlow, the character the audience follows, is particularly affected by these dilemmas and is coerced to decide what is authentically right and what is erroneous. Conrad’s novel dares readers to sympathize with Marlow and endeavor to not only understand his actions, but contemplate what they would do in his given situation. Marlow’s meetings with both the savages of the Congo and Kurtz’s wife place him in a position of inner struggle. Marlow’s decisions are meticulously illuminated through both the normative systems
Images of death are associated with grass repeatedly in Heart of Darkness. Long grass half conceals but ultimately reveals the bodies of dead carders, still in harness, in final repose beside the paths on which they labored (23). When Marlow's native helmsman is killed, Marlow says that the dead body is "heavier than any man on earth," yet when Marlow tips it over the side, it is swept back in the current "like a wisp of grass" (51). Here, if not earlier, a reader may realize that Conrad is combining images of death and grass systematically.
The colonization of Africa, though often forgotten, could more accurately be remembered as the conquering of Africa. European countries often included many brutal and aggressive actions in order to overpower of the natives of the land. The economic benefits of the colonization were the motivation to most countries and individuals. In his novella, Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad illustrates the story of free spirit, Charlie Marlow, and his journey to the Congo and eventually his encounter with the manager of the Inner Station with an extensive reputation, Mr. Kurtz. Marlow’s anecdote exemplifies the true nature of those involved with the colonization, both positive and negative.
Intro : Introduce the concept of death, and how the concept of death is shown to be something to be feared
Was the forest dark? No, it wasn’t just dark. It was gloomy and somber and full of shadows…. I heard they quarreled over hens, but never did I verify that rumor. Details shmetails… Was that how their conversation ensued? I think my memory may be clouding the truth of the scene. Ah well, these gents won’t know the difference… Readers can almost hear Marlow’s skirmish with the story in his head as it simultaneously spills out of his mouth. Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness reveals to readers the scene of Marlow and three of his companions aboard the Nellie, a British ship sitting on the River Thames. While sitting aboard the ship, as the evening turns to night, Marlow recounts from his memory the nightmarish journey he took through the African
Throughout Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad a sense of imperialism is present. Imperialism is defined as “acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies”. Through the novel many of the travels Marlow encounters contain imperialist ideas. The whole continent is used as a symbol for this theme. So therefore you can tell that imperialism is just as bad as the disease that many people get from the Congo, they become infected. Which truly begs the question, is it just the Congo that turns us ill, or is there a sense of darkness inside of us lurking around waiting to come out.