Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad Some History and Background

What is it about? Heart of Darkness illustrates the evils of imperialism and the savage repressions carried out in the Congo by the Belgians in one of the largest acts of genocide committed up to that time.

Congo in the 1890’s Inner Station

Anti-colonialism “The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or lightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much.” ”a taint of imbecile rapacity blew through it all like the whiff from some corpse.” In an essay Conrad calls the colonial exploitation of the Congo, “the vilest scramble for loot that ever dis- figured the history of human conscience…” Conrad about colonialism:

Style FFrame Story: story within a story FFirst narrator (who is unidentified) sets the scene. FMarlow takes over as the main narrator and central character of the story and tells the tale about ”Heart of Darkness” FBasically, the first narrator is telling the story about Marlow telling the story about Kurtz FFrame Story: story within a story FFirst narrator (who is unidentified) sets the scene. FMarlow takes over as the main narrator and central character of the story and tells the tale about ”Heart of Darkness” FBasically, the first narrator is telling the story about Marlow telling the story about Kurtz

Meaning of Heart of Darkness FThe “darkness” refers to the “darkest” side of human nature as seen in the brutal colonizers and ivory traders FKurtz, and his hunger for power, which leads to his ultimate descent into madness FRefers to the colonialism and imperialism that the Europeans were practicing at the turn of the 20th century. FThe “darkness” refers to the “darkest” side of human nature as seen in the brutal colonizers and ivory traders FKurtz, and his hunger for power, which leads to his ultimate descent into madness FRefers to the colonialism and imperialism that the Europeans were practicing at the turn of the 20th century.

Some Thematic Ideas in HOD FExistentialism FThe philosophical idea that the individual is solely responsible for giving his or her own life meaning and for living that life passionately and sincerely. Focus is on the individual rather than the group. FExistentialism FThe philosophical idea that the individual is solely responsible for giving his or her own life meaning and for living that life passionately and sincerely. Focus is on the individual rather than the group.

What is truth? FThe focus is not on what is true, but on the search for that truth. Thus, the real meaning is in the search, not the answer.

What is the meaning of colonialism? FThe meaning of colonialism – that one race is more powerful than the other— is maintained by the IDEA only – the idealism of colonialism – In other words, colonialism in and of itself is futile and does not work, what works is the idea of colonialism (very important as we will discover in Kurtz, the aunt, etc.)

“The conquest of the earth, which mostly means to take it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much. What redeems it is the idea only. An idea at the back of it; not a sentimental pretence but an idea; and an unselfish belief in the idea.”

More Ideas and Themes Irrationality Lawlessness Human Suffering Chaos (All produced and promoted by colonialism) Irrationality Lawlessness Human Suffering Chaos (All produced and promoted by colonialism)

And of course…psychology Freudian Influences: Id Ego Superego (represented in the three stations) Freudian Influences: Id Ego Superego (represented in the three stations)

Outer Station Ego-man’s exterior self external social appearance (ex. accountant kept up his appearance) superficial Central Station Superego -the conscience, keeps the Id under control (ex. though the people in the Central Station are dangerously close to the wilderness, they have not completely given in to it.)

Journey up the river —traveling into the darkness of the unconscious mind Inner Station The Id —man’s irrational and chaotic unconsciousness (ex. no superego at the Inner Station to keep Kurtz from forgetting himself). Reflects Conrad’s idea that once the superego is removed as the dominant control over the Id, control can never be regained. If control could be regained, man is forever changed and can no longer live with the illusions of the Ego.

Archetypal Motifs A universal symbol recognized by all Journey up the Congo river in search of Kurtz Quest (wealth, control, power, increased consciousness) Hero (Marlow represents quiet, knowledgeable hero figure—descends into hell and returns with an expanded consciousness) Temptress Kurtz’s mistress Outcast (the Russian Harlequin—his book allows him to maintain his sanity despite his idolatrous devotion towards Kurtz) Journey up the Congo river in search of Kurtz Quest (wealth, control, power, increased consciousness) Hero (Marlow represents quiet, knowledgeable hero figure—descends into hell and returns with an expanded consciousness) Temptress Kurtz’s mistress Outcast (the Russian Harlequin—his book allows him to maintain his sanity despite his idolatrous devotion towards Kurtz)

More Archetypes Devil (symbolically) The Congo River —like the snake in the biblical account of Adam and Eve Manager—no noble intentions (wrecks Marlow’s steamer, delays arrival of rivets, orders the beating of the native child for the burning down of the supply building which he probably burnt himself, orders steamer to turn around within two miles of Inner Station, wants Kurtz to die) Fall The ultimate fall of Kurtz Devil (symbolically) The Congo River —like the snake in the biblical account of Adam and Eve Manager—no noble intentions (wrecks Marlow’s steamer, delays arrival of rivets, orders the beating of the native child for the burning down of the supply building which he probably burnt himself, orders steamer to turn around within two miles of Inner Station, wants Kurtz to die) Fall The ultimate fall of Kurtz

Some Literary Devices ( but there are many, many more) FIrony created through a mix of tragedy, absurdity, and dark satire FForeshadowing (of death) FIrony created through a mix of tragedy, absurdity, and dark satire FForeshadowing (of death)

Main Theme (but there are many, many more) The difficulty in distinguishing between reality and what appears to be.