Heart of Darkness

Definition

Heart of Darkness is a novella by Joseph Conrad that explores themes of imperialism, colonialism, and the nature of evil through the journey of Charles Marlow into the African Congo. The text serves as a powerful critique of European colonialism, revealing the darkness inherent in human nature and the impact of greed and exploitation on both colonizers and the colonized.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The novella is structured as a frame narrative, where Marlow tells his story to a group of men aboard a ship on the Thames River.
2. Conrad's depiction of Africa contrasts sharply with the romanticized views often held by Europeans, presenting it as a place filled with darkness and moral ambiguity.
3. The character of Kurtz symbolizes the corrupting influence of power and the complexities of civilization versus savagery.
4. Heart of Darkness uses symbolism extensively, particularly with light and darkness representing knowledge and ignorance, civilization and barbarism.
5. The novella's themes reflect modernist concerns, such as the questioning of established truths and the exploration of subjective experience.

Review Questions

• How does Heart of Darkness illustrate the concept of the sublime through Marlow's journey into the Congo?
  • Heart of Darkness illustrates the concept of the sublime by depicting Marlow's journey as one filled with awe-inspiring yet terrifying experiences. As he travels deeper into the Congo, he encounters vast landscapes that evoke both beauty and horror, embodying the sublime nature. This journey reveals not only the physical darkness of the land but also the psychological turmoil within humanity, challenging Marlow's understanding of civilization and morality.
• Analyze how Conrad critiques colonialism in Heart of Darkness through the character of Kurtz.
  • Conrad critiques colonialism in Heart of Darkness primarily through Kurtz's character, who initially embodies European ideals of civilization and progress. However, as Kurtz descends into madness while exploiting the Congo's resources, his transformation highlights the destructive effects of colonial greed. This critique emphasizes that colonialism not only devastates the colonized lands but also corrupts and dehumanizes the colonizers themselves, exposing the dark underbelly of imperial ambitions.
• Evaluate how Heart of Darkness reflects modernist themes in literature through its narrative style and structure.
  • Heart of Darkness reflects modernist themes through its innovative narrative style, employing a frame story that complicates notions of truth and perspective. The fragmented structure mirrors Marlow's disjointed experiences and psychological struggles, emphasizing subjectivity over objective reality. This approach aligns with modernist literature's tendency to question established norms and explore inner consciousness, demonstrating how Conrad's work serves as both a critique of imperialism and an embodiment of literary modernism.

Related terms

Colonialism: The practice of acquiring full or partial control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Modernism: A broad cultural movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by a break from traditional forms and a search for new means of expression.

Sublime: Aesthetic quality that inspires a sense of awe or wonder, often associated with nature's power or beauty, but also with feelings of terror or insignificance.