Heart of Darkness- Author Joseph Conrad - Essay Example

In the beginning epigraph , Marlow’s comment about Congo as one of the dark places of the earth already provokes the reader to explore the meaning of darkness. Was it literal being in the dark continent? Was darkness symbolic of men’s hearts an d not the color of their skin? The succeeding discussion will illuminate us about the important quotes on the work of Conrad. In the novella, the setting, symbolism, motif and all point towards darkness whether literally or figuratively. However, a more sinister lesson is established in the story – that “darkness” is something constant in the hearts of men.

Somehow, this is alluding to the Biblical explanation about the source of wars as explained in the book of James. All conflicts, wars and envy begins in the heart of man. Man’s heart is often considered as something full of evil desires and cannot be trusted. Although his actions may manifest something, his motives are deceiving. Colonialism is one of man’s longings for it brings power and wealth. Greed is one of the deadly sins which is a recurring theme in this literary piece. The heinous crimes committed against the natives can be traced to the roots of greed.

In modern day-setting, there is no difference when one country invades another in the guise of helping when actually, it already impedes the democracy of the subordinate country so as to gain access to its resources. The intent is the same but the strategy is quite different. If in the novel the Belgian colonizers use force to impose their authority to the natives, modern and developed countries use trade impositions and political diplomacy to get what they need. At the beginning, the reader may think the Darkness being pertained to is the skin color of the Africans as well as the connotation that Congo is in the Dark Continent.

But as one goes along the story, it can be sensed that even the natural surroundings are gloomy which forebodes something dark or