Literature analysis for the novel Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad - Essay Example

The Heart of Darkness The novel The Heart of Darkness was written by Joseph Conrad in 1899. It is a psychological thriller and relies on traditional concepts of heroism which face constant challenge in the changing world. In this novel there is a philosophical perspective of the concrete threats like illness, violence and conspiracy that the characters face. Each of the characters has their own set of ideals and doubts in the era of imperialism. Charlie Marlow Charlie Marlow is the central character of the novel. He is philosophical and has a mind of his own. He harbors a skeptical view of people around him. Being an European he has many prejudices yet is skeptical of imperialism. As a riverboat captain of a Belgian trading company he travels to Africa to deliver ivory and also to return Kurtz, another ivory trader, to civilization. On his journey he encounters the cruel treatment received by the African natives from the Europeans and as he witnesses the infinite darkness within a human being for committing extreme acts of cruelty, he narrates “No fool ever made a bargain for his soul with the devil: the fool is too much of a fool, or the devil too much of a devil” (Conrad, 1966, p.66). Kurtz Kurtz is the chief of the Inner Station and a man of many talents as it is revealed that he is a gifted musician and a fine painter, and is described as “universal genius” (Conrad, 1966, p.36). He has the ability to influence men with his talent. He is an enigmatic character even to Marlow as the latter “saw the inconceivable mystery of a soul that knew no restraint, no faith, and no fear, yet struggling blindly with itself” (Conrad, 1966, p.91). While in the jungle, he works for the natives and set himself as their ideal. He has “kicked himself loose of the earth….kicked the very earth to pieces” (Conrad, 1966, p.90) by successfully fraternizing with the natives but has also invited the fury of his fellow white men. Although he is a genius but his ultimate downfall is akin to legend and can be compared to characters like Satan in Milton’s Paradise Lost and Moby-Dick’s Ahab. Just before dying he cries out “The horror! The horror” (Conrad, 1966, p.95) and this supposedly signifies his dark descent. Manager The Manager represents the Company whose primary goal is profit. He harbors a false assumption that Krutz wants to overtake his position. He deliberately sabotages Marlow’s steamboat to prevent it from carrying ivory to Inner Station. As he shows fake concern when Krutz falls ill, the latter replies “save the ivory, you mean….you are interrupting my plans now” (Conrad, 1966, p.84). According to Marlow, the Manager “inspired uneasiness” (Conrad, 1966, p.27). He is a contemptible man who had the authority to grow the reputation of the Company but refused to do so for he was concerned that it would hinder the passage of ivory from Africa. Accountant The Accountant represents the working methods of the Company. The fact that he stays for days in the jungle to work on the ledger indicates the Company’s emphasis on profits. His clean dressing sense symbolizes the Company’s effort to maintain a spotless moral image to the world. When an ill person (Krutz) is brought to his hut he complains “The groans of this sick person distract my attention” (Conrad, 1966, p.23). The Accountant like the Company considers that illness and death are inevitable parts of life and must not distract him from concentrating on his work. Kurtz’s fiancé She is characterized by her unending devotion to Kurtz as Marlow narrates on seeing her after the death of Kurtz “She came forward, all in black….. she was in mourning. It was more than a year since his death….she seemed as though she would remember and mourn for ever” (Conrad, 1966, p.102). Even after a year has passed she craves to know how Krutz spent his final days. It seems to Marlow that she is more devoted to the image of Krutz than the man himself as she says “It is impossible….that such a life should be sacrificed to leave nothing--but sorrow…..something must remain. His words, at least, have not died” (Conrad, 1966, p.105). Symbolically she is more like the Europeans who want to believe in the fantasy-version of great men ignoring the dark parts of their lives. Krutz’s African mistress She is presented as a symbol of goodness and purity. Her world is like a sanctuary from the outer world. She has faith in the ideals of Krutz, but also believes the man himself: “I believed in him more than any one on earth—more than his own mother, more than—himself” (Conrad, 1966, p.106). Her belief inspired Krutz to shield himself from the doubts of the world and also from his own self-doubts. She symbolizes the nurturing woman of the nineteenth century but she is also an idealist. Conclusion The novel The Heart of Darkness has an aura of gloominess and despair and this tone is consistent till the end. Conrad selected a setting which compels the reader to feel the effect of the climate and identify with the principal characters. These elements together indicate the “darkness” addressed in the title. References Conrad, J. (1966) The Heart of Darkness. Forgotten Books Read More