In literature, contrasting places are used by certain authors as a way of representing opposed forces or ideas that are central to the meaning of the work. We see this used in Heart Of Darkness by Joseph Conrad as he applies the jungles of Africa, and Europe to develop the concept of “civilization” and “the heart of darkness” respectively. Conrad is attempting to explain how even the most cultured individual can face a decision of morality and ethics when put in a questioning situation like Kurtz, one of the only decent men sent into the jungle to help the natives, is forced to answer.
Europe and Africa differ in many ways, obviously by location, but more importantly, moralistically, how developed they are, and how “civilized” they had become. “Their talk, however, was the talk of sordid buccaneers: it was reckless without hardihood, greedy without audacity, and cruel without courage; there was not an atom of foresight or of serious intention in the whole batch of them, and they did not seem aware these things are wanted for the work of the world.” (50) This passage is describing the way a certain group of people lived in the jungle. They pushed aside their morals and ideals to turn over a profit in this undeveloped land where they couldn’t be stopped because of the lack of laws and consequences. In Europe, where people follow rules and regulations, these men are nothing, but in the jungle they are able to shine.
This leads me to decide what I believe each of these locations represents. “We penetrated deeper and deeper into the heart of darkness.” (58) That is exactly what the jungle was to me, the heart of darkness. It was where the untamed beasts came out, where the animals as well as people had to fight and kill to survive and there was no police or courts to help you. Europe represents a place of inhibitions and virtue. Somewhere where people do not have to be scared and where there is civilization to keep you in line so that you don’t drift into an unruled state of conscienceness.
Furthermore, I am lead to explain the meaning of the locations on the novella itself. Kurtz was a very respectable man with visions and aspirations of great success. He could have made his fortune elsewhere, but he chose to impact the world by going right for the gold. Kurtz was drawn into the jungle with plans to civilize the natives. His plans were soon ruined as he became “hollow at the core” (98) lacking self-control and basic morals and beliefs. The jungle seemed to pressure Kurtz into becoming one with it as it sucked him in and took his soul and his future. “He hated sometimes the idea of being taken away-and then again…” (107) He thought of this wilderness as his home, and the people his people, and the land his land. In the end, all that was left of Kurtz before his death was an over dominant power-monger with an empty heart. “Did he live his life again in every detail of desire, temptation, and surrender during that supreme moment of complete knowledge?” (118) He must have since his final words were, “The horror! The horror!” (118), as he was sent away to his eternal damnation.
In closing, the affect of different settings on the novella Heart of Darkness have had a profound affect on the meaning of the work. Deep in the jungle was an escape from everyday inhibitions brought about by the lessons learned in the educated society. Luckily, most of us are able to play by the rules and keep our precious sanity, but unfortunately Kurtz lacked the limitations taught to him by his European lifestyle needed to hold himself together and stay “civilized” in his very own nightmare, the African Jungle.
Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. New York, Bantam Books. March, 1981.
All references refer to this edition.
Другие работы по теме:
Macbeth Essay Research Paper MacbethIn the story
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Macbeth In the story of Macbeth, there are three basic themes that are seen time and time again. The themes of disorder, darkness and gffgd. They not only are used to show, or describe something, they are also there to show a repeating symbolism throughout the play.
The Star Essay Research Paper In Great
The Star Essay, Research Paper In Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, light is used symbolically through the example of Estella. Miss Havisham brings Estella up in the darkness, consequently sheltering her from the true
Untitled Essay Research Paper I messed up
Untitled Essay, Research Paper I messed up; I made a mistake, But please, haste do not take. I love you more than any action or words could ever express, Still I find my heart drowning in loneliness.
Heart Of Darkness Essay Research Paper Most
Heart Of Darkness Essay, Research Paper Most Literate people know that by going into the Heart of the Jungle, Conrad was trying to relay a message about the heart of man, and the story is worldly wide read as one of the
Hollow Men Essay Research Paper n TS
Hollow Men Essay, Research Paper n T.S. Eliot’s poem The Hollow Men, T.S. Eliot contrasts his straw-filled hollow men with the “lost violent souls” of Mr. Kurtz and Guy Fawkes. Mr. Kurtz is a
Untitled Essay Research Paper In the Heart
Untitled Essay, Research Paper In the Heart of Darkness, it is very easy to forget what is real and what is civilized. The rivets that Marlow talks about, to fix his boat, are very symbolic of his need to become riveted to reality. Marlow feels that he is slipping into savagery from what he sees around him. In the story, The Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, there is a fine line between civilization and savagery and Marlow needs the rivets to help him find himself in his own soul or where his own reality is.
My Sunshine Essay Research Paper There are
My Sunshine Essay, Research Paper There are many instances in this journey we call life that darkness befalls the heart and soul of the journey man or woman. In those times, a light is needed so that you are able to see the path ahead. When that light comes in the form of a human being, you have a tendency to miss the light.
Heart Of Darkness Essay Research Paper A
Heart Of Darkness Essay, Research Paper A lie is an untruth. It can be a false statement or a statement left unsaid which causes someone to be misled. In life, lies are told for many different
My Love Essay Research Paper You are
My Love Essay, Research Paper You are my everything My one true love My heart will sing If we can stay forever in love When I first laid eyes upon you My jaw dropped
Heart Of Darkness Essay Research Paper Good
Heart Of Darkness Essay, Research Paper Good and Evil: Fight to the Finish William’s Lord of the Flies, (1954) an Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, (1902) there are affective comparisons and contrasts
Darkness Poem Essay Research Paper As a
Darkness (Poem) Essay, Research Paper As a young girl cries her father dies just another victim of a dark night Darkness creeps and shorten nights with just a glimsp pale light
They Know Essay Research Paper Out of
They Know Essay, Research Paper Out of my love for you is conceived only pain However that gives me some pleasure Your face reflects the night of a full moon
Heart Of Darkness Vs Apocalypse Now Essay 2
Heart Of Darkness Vs. Apocalypse Now Essay, Research Paper In the article, ?Narratological Parallels in Joseph Conrad?s Heart of Darkness and Francis Ford Coppola?s Apocalypse Now? Linda Costanzo Cahir compares and contrasts both the novella and the film. Both writers had the same theme and meaning in mind, but their structure and technique was what made the stories different.
Oedipus Essay Research Paper COLOR AS SYMBOLISMIN
Oedipus Essay, Research Paper COLOR AS SYMBOLISM HEART OF DARKNESS Trish Heath Professor McDowell ENG 112 02 May 2000 Heath i Outline Thesis statement: Color is used very effectively as a tool of symbolism in Heart of
Heart Of Darkness Essay Research Paper It
Heart Of Darkness Essay, Research Paper It is often said that when considering a work of great literature, the title of such work can be just as important as the context of the story. Authors time and again wait until they have completed the context of their work to give it a title as to make sure this chosen title is the best possible representation of their work.
Isolation- Lord Of The Flies And Heart
Of Darkness Essay, Research Paper novels. Throughout Lord of the Flies and Heart of Darkness the importance of restraint is greatly stressed. This being the restraint to remain human and maintain sanity. In Heart
The Raven And The TellTale Heart Essay
, Research Paper Comparisons of ?The Raven? and ?The Tell-Tale Heart? Edgar Allen Poe’s story “A Tell Tale Heart,” has the protagonist obsessed with an old man’s eye. This obsession causes a conflict between the protagonist and his sanity. In ?The Raven the man imagines that a raven is a godsend, intended to relieve him of his anguish.
Just A Poem Essay Research Paper And
Just A Poem Essay, Research Paper And if you should crash down and break apart If all your dreams should shatter and burn in the fire And if all that you can see is the darkness at the end
Heart Of Darkness Kurtz According To Marlow
Essay, Research Paper The Last Disciple: Joseph Conrad s Heart of Darkness When a man s life is the sea he has much time to think about that life and who he really is or might be. In Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad introduces readers to two such men who are at different stages of their quest to find out who they are.
Heart Of Darkness Essay Research Paper The
Heart Of Darkness Essay, Research Paper The imagery of dark and light is never clearly defined but the linkage between the two in this novel is obviously clear. Light indicates self-knowledge, civilization and enlightenment. The darkness is in the title and also the major theme of this book. Darkness represents wilderness, evil and greed.
Heart Of Darkness Essay Research Paper Marlows
Heart Of Darkness Essay, Research Paper Marlow?s Journey into Kurtz? In Joseph Conrad?s novel, Heart of Darkness, we are shown man insights into the darkness, that is the Congo. His characters Marlow and Kurtz undergo similar journeys through the evil and dark regions of their minds. However, Marlow is able to realize the
Symbolic Use Of Ivory In
‘Heart Of Darkness’ Essay, Research Paper In Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad often uses vague,?muted? descriptions, leaving a melange of possible meanings in the reader?s lap. One exception to this trend is Conrad?s symbolic use of ivory. Within the frame of the story, his references to ivory can obviously be seen as a representation of the white man?s greed.
Artificial Restraints In Lord Of The Flies
Essay, Research Paper Artificial Restraints in Lord of the Flies “GOLDING PUTS SO MANY ARTIFICIAL RESTRAINTS ON HIS STORY IN ORDER TO EMPHASISE HIS POINT, THAT THE WHOLE THING COMES OUT TOO NEATLY AND, IN FACT, REDUCES THE POWER OF HIS MESSAGE.”
Crash Down Essay Research Paper And if
Crash Down Essay, Research Paper And if you should crash down and break apart If all your dreams should shatter and burn in the fire And if all that you can see is the darkness at the end
A Short Essay On Conrad Black
’s Depiction Of Women Essay, Research Paper Joseph Conrad?s novella, Heart of Darkness, the representation of women is extremely limited. Conrad?s portrayals are extreme stereotypes meant to depict
A Journey Into The Heart Of Darkness
Essay, Research Paper A Journey into the Heart of Darkness The white man is evil, or so says Joseph Conrad in his novel Heart of Darkness, which describes the colonial transformation of the symbolically angelic African wilderness into an evil haven for the white man. The novel presents a psychological journey into the core of evil or “heart of darkness” in one’s own mind, as he or she progresses through the jungle.
Heart Of Darkness Mystery And Suspense Essay
, Research Paper Heart of Darkness: Mystery and Suspense It seems like everywhere there is something in life that seems to be left behind. In the books I read about mystery or suspense, this always seems
Heart Disease Essay Research Paper 4 COMMON
Heart Disease Essay, Research Paper 4 COMMON HEART DISEASE 1. CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE : IS THE DAMAGE TO THE HEART THAT CAN OCCUR BEFORE OR DURING THE BIRTH OF A BABY. THAT HAPPENS
Heart Of Darkness Vs Apocalyp Essay Research
Paper Comparative Essay between Heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now The relationship between Joseph Conrad’s book, Heart of Darkness and Francis Coppola’s movie, Apocalypse Now are obvious. Apocalypse Now follows the story line of the Heart of Darkness although the settings of each story are from completely different location and time periods.
The Symbolism Of Darkness In
“Heart Of Darkness” Essay, Research Paper Darkness…What does it mean? In Joseph Conrad’s novel, Heart of Darkness, the meaning of the word “darkness” changed throughout the story to symbolize different things. Conrad used this term in ways to identify social and intellectual elements in order to help the reader get a feel of his outlook and his own opinions of the world.
Darkness In Macbeth Essay Research Paper The
Darkness In Macbeth Essay, Research Paper The most important chain of imagery used to add to the atmosphere is the imagery of darkness. In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the design of the witches, the guilt in Macbeth’s soul, and the darkness of the night to establish the atmosphere. All of the great scenes take place at night or in some dark spot.