Examining Themes in Heart of Darkness Essay
Joseph Conrad wrote the book, Heart of Darkness, in 1898. He wrote this book
touching on many different themes such as imperialism and commerce, darkness
imagery, dream and nightmare, isolation, mental and physical illness, truth, and
journey. Although all the themes are important to make Heart of Darkness complete,
three prevail overall: imperialism and commerce, truth, and journey. Being the author
of the book, Joseph Conradhad a personal connection to it. He took his own journey
down the Congo River and like Marlow, said that as a child his dreams were to
grow up and explore the heart of Africa. A family member also recommended
Conrad to a company. Joseph Conrad experienced the heart of darkness, that could be
a reason why his book... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The company was corrupt, and with its power and control over the natives,
operated entirely for the sole purpose of obtaining ivory. Marlow told of a time
when the civilized world was discovering the untamed British Isles, and in
comparison of how the British are now discovering the unexplored areas of the
world. Thinking from the point of view of a commander, Marlow explains the
feelings of trying to conquer and over power swinish land.
In some inland post feel savagery, the utter savagery, had closed round him, all that
mysterious life of the wilderness that stirs in the forest, in the jungles, in the hearts of
wild men. There is no initiation either into such mysteries. He has to live in the midst
of the incomprehensible, which is also detestable. And it has a fascination, too, which
goes to work upon him. The fascination of the abomination you know, imagine the
growing regrets, the longing to escape, the powerless disgust, the surrender, the hate.
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All through Marlow s journey he encounters many accounts of torture, cruelty, and
slavery mainly pertaining to the natives.
It is no accident that the narrator introduced the reader to Marlow while on a
journey. The story Marlow unravels also takes place on a journey. Marlow s apparent
journey takes him from his childhood, as a boy dreaming of filling empty spaces on
maps, to the middle of Africa. An intimate possession to understand the secrets of the
unknown pushes him down