Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness Essay - 763 Words

Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrads novel Heart of Darkness written in 1902 is an overwhelming chronicle of Marlows journey into the heart of the African continent. It is one of the most influential novels of the twentieth century. In this ghastly and horrific tale, Marlow leads an expedition up the Congo River, only to find everything is not as it seems. This haunting and mysterious story takes him into the unbearable core of the jungle. The novel also explores trade and exploration, imperialism and colonization. The use of darkness means several things in this book. It is used in the title, as Heart of Darkness many people doesnt understand the book, or the meaning it brings with it. I feel that the†¦show more content†¦Darkness and evil can happen to anyone in anyway, it happened to Marlow and Kurtz mentally, and then it affects what you physically. The meaning darkness does not mean the same for everyone, it is different in our minds to what others think, we all have different opinions of what we think something is. For example, if you look up the word darkness or dark in a dictionary you may find more than one meaning. First meaning it gave - dark, no light, dull cutoff from the rest of the world, gloomy, sad, sinister, evil secret, night, not knowing. These are all words that could have been used in the book. The jungle could be sinister and evil. I find that the word secret represents what goes on in the jungle very well. It makes you think carefully about what might be in the jungle, the dangers and cautions of the jungle. It also seems very mystical. It shows that maybe the jungle has something to hide that it doesnt want you to know about, it wants to keep it to itself. In the book, as Marlow travels up the Congo River, he himself begins to become sinister and evil, he isnt his usual self. Ship me somewhere south of Europe, where the best can be the worst, where there arent no ten commandments, and a man can raise a thirst. This is a piece of poem, by Rudyard Kimpling. This I relate to Marlow. He has been taken to Africa in Southern Europe, and where there arent any rules or laws. Anything could happen, and the evil comes out ofShow MoreRelatedSymbolism In Joseph Conrads Heart Of Darkness805 Words   |  4 PagesJoseph Conrad’s novella, Heart of Darkness, contains many symbols that connect to themes within it. Heart of Darkness incorporates the symbols of light and dark to develop the idea that society and characters, like Kurtz, contribute to the darkness of their society. Conrad’s different observations of the effect that nature can have on the characters and society within the novel, primarily focus on how something light and desir able can prove to bring out the ugliest aspects of humanity or cause significantRead MoreEssay on Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness1414 Words   |  6 Pagesleader of a community who has this type of unchecked power and influence with a happy ending. Perhaps the greatest story ever written about good vs. evil, madness, abuse of power along with influence, and nature just might be Heart of Darkness. Heart of Darkness, written by Joseph Conrad tells the story of an agent named Marlow, who experiences hellish conditions and behaviors whilst trying to rescue a man named Kurtz, who turns out to be quite a handful. Throughout this journey the moral ramificationsRead MoreEssay on Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness1276 Words   |  6 PagesIn the present era of decolonization, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness presents one of fictions strongest accounts of British imperialism. Conrad’s attitude towards imperialism and race has been the subject of much literary and historical d ebate. Many literary critics view Conrad as accepting blindly the arrogant attitude of the white male European and condemn Conrad to be a racist and imperialists. The other side vehemently defends Conrad, perceiving the novel to be an attack on imperialism andRead More Use of Light and Darkness in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness 1504 Words   |  7 PagesUse of Light and Darkness in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness  Ã‚      Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness contrasts light and darkness, to represent the civilized and uncivilized sides of the world. 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In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, the term evil is articulated through several ways mainly four characters: the cruelty within the people of the Belgian Congo, main mystery of Kurtz, the setting upon which the character s reside, and the atmosphere in which the BelgianRead MoreEssay about Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness794 Words   |  4 Pagesroom for suggestive arguments when trying to dissect a piece of writing. Joseph Conrads novella Heart of Darkness offers the perfect platform for interpretation. With a dozen shades of foggy grays, 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 amountRead MoreThoughts Of Imperialism In Joseph Conrads Heart Of Darkness911 Words   |  4 PagesHeart of Darkness, what does it really mean, what can it signify? For all it matters, it has no meaning, but is just a phrase. By applying the following schools of theory, psychoanalysis, over analyzing texts, cultural studies which portray how readers consume the text a nd postcolonial which analyzes the â€Å"losers† perspective it helps to depict the novella of Heart Darkness. By using the schools of theory, it will analyze a multitude of perspective relating to the novella’s theme of imperialism disastrousRead MoreCorruption Of Imperialism In Joseph Conrads Heart Of Darkness1473 Words   |  6 Pagessome individuals may maintain their integrity in corrupt situations, and therefore not become corrupt themselves. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad relates to both the idea that an individual can become corrupt in a corrupt environment, and that some individuals can uphold their integrity in a corrupt situation. Both of these reactions can be seen in the main characters of Heart of Darkness, Kurtz and Marlow, in Kurtz’ becoming corrupt due to imperialism in the Congo, while still upholding some integrityRead More The Soul of Darkness in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness Essay1053 Words   |  5 PagesHeart of Darkness: The Soul of Darkness      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Heart of Darkness The name itself implies a sense of unknown evil, and invokes thoughts of secrecy and mystery. Written by Joseph Conrad in 1902, Heart of Darkness tells of a physical journey down the Congo during its era of Imperialism, yet also of a mental sojourn into the core of insanity. It also paints paradoxes of seemingly clear concepts and states, such as the mental condition of central character Kurtz, an enigmatic ivory trader deepRead More Importance of the Natives in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness1309 Words   |  6 PagesThe Importance of the Natives in Heart Of Darkness       Conrad has been accused of racism because of the way he portrays the natives in his novel, Heart of Darkness. It has been argued that the natives cannot be an essential part of Heart of Darkness due to the manner in which they are depicted.   However, a careful reading reveals that the story would be incomplete without the natives. Marlow develops a relationship with one of the natives - perhaps the first time in his life that Marlow creates