Heart of Darkness

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In Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad recognized that “We live as we dream…alone” (65). This quote compresses life into the capacity of a dream. While dreaming one is frequently taken into a world of absurdity that can be experienced by the dreamer alone. However, not all dreams are pleasant; some dreams are nightmares. Marlow has dreamed of adventure since he was a child which ultimately leads him to travel to Africa. The adventure soon becomes a quest for self-knowledge. In contrast, Kurtz’s dream is darker and based off a desire for power which leads to his death. The overall concept presented in the novel of isolation and alienation in a civilization seemingly full of life is emphasized by the quote, “We live as we dream…alone” (65).
From the beginning of the novel Marlow is seen as a lonely figure. The narrator describes Marlow as “…a Buddha preaching in European clothes and without a lotus flower” (38). During his narration Marlow does not seem comfortable among other people. His journey into Congo has changed him forever. Marlow struggles to convey his tale to the narrator and explains the difficulty when he says, “It seems to me I am trying to tell you a dream- making a vain attempt, because no relation of a dream can convey the dream sensation…” (64). He knows how impossible it is to translate feelings into words but continues on with his story hoping to convince the narrator of ending his journey.
In order to keep himself sane in a world where he is isolated Marlow devotes himself to his work. Marlow does not like work but the chance work gives him to find himself (66). Without his job Marlow has no purpose in life; he would become a hollow man. The manager of the Outer Station is a hollow man. He has no skills or va...

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...hat isolates him even further from the world. Marlow’s eyes have now been opened and he will never be the same. Marlow’s self-imposed duty to Kurtz is what keeps him from giving the Company Kurtz whole report. His loyalty is also what prevents him from telling the Intended the truth even though he says, “There is a taint of death, a flavor of mortality in lies...” (64). Marlow knows that it is impossible for the Intended to truly understand what he would be telling her. Civilization is not ready to try and comprehend the hidden darkness in all of us. Marlow may have escaped the heart of darkness, but is unable to truly share his boon. The narrator understands Marlow’s story but will not allow it to stop him from going to Africa. It is hard to live in a world where one is unable to convey or express their feelings to others. Therefore Marlow lives as he dreams…alone.

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