Overview. The main themes of Heart of Darkness include
darkness, alienation and loneliness, and chaos and order
. Darkness: Marlow sees “darkness” in the practices of imperialism, though the book maintains the racist implication that it is the uncivilized land and people that led to Europeans’ corruption.
Is greed a theme in Heart of Darkness?
Kurtz, the main character in the novel, is characterized by
his greed for material gain and power
. The dark side of human nature is reflected in Kurtz’s cruel behavior towards the natives, his sense of superiority to the marginalized, and his dominance in discourse over the colonial people.
What is the lesson of Heart of Darkness?
The novella, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad has
a strong theme of morality
. Conrad’s goal using morality is moral confusion. The main character Charlie Marlow sets out on a journey with the European Ivory Trade to Africa. During this journey he discovers a dark dilemma of moral ethics.
How is the theme of hypocrisy in Heart of Darkness?
Firstly, the theme of hypocrisy is integrated in both works for the
purpose of portraying man’s staggering and absurd potential for evil
. In the novel, Heart of Darkness, the Europeans state that their objectives in Africa are to trade with the natives and immerse them with the light of civilization.
What does Kurtz symbolize in Heart of Darkness?
Kurtz, one of the leading characters, the other being Marlow, the narrator of the soty, represents many symbols in the novel. Firstly, he symbolizes
the greed and the commercial mentality of the white people of the western countries
. Secondly, he symbolizes the white man’s love of power.
What is imperialism in Heart of Darkness?
Imperialism means
the period of colonization of African and Asian countries by European states
, the USA and Japan in the 19th century, on the other hand it means an idea that was disseminated since the beginning of the modern times around the 16th century.
Why is Kurtz important in Heart of Darkness?
Kurtz is a
dangerous man because he gives the lie to the Company’s “humanistic” intentions in the Congo
. He returns more ivory than all the other stations put together, and does so through the use of absolute force.
What is darkness in Heart of Darkness?
“Darkness” is used as a symbol in Heart of Darkness to
represent the bleakness of reality and human nature
. Conrad employs the symbol of darkness both literally and figuratively, through the dark sky and through the moral and ethical corruption in the Congo.
What is the tone of Heart of Darkness?
As the characters move further into the interior, the tone becomes darker and more sinister. There is often a feeling of general apprehension and uneasiness at not knowing what’s coming. The main tone for the majority of the novel is
darkness
. Marlow often uses the word when he’s talking.
What is the overall meaning of Heart of Darkness?
The Hypocrisy of Imperialism
Heart of Darkness
explores the issues surrounding imperialism in complicated ways
. As Marlow travels from the Outer Station to the Central Station and finally up the river to the Inner Station, he encounters scenes of torture, cruelty, and near-slavery.
Why does Kurtz go crazy?
Why does Kurtz go crazy? …
After Kurtz discovers the influence he has over the indigenous people
, his insatiable lust for power takes him over the edge. In the Congolese jungle, Kurtz is not held accountable to anyone, and this sort of unrestrained power is more than one man can bear.
What does Marlow symbolize in Heart of Darkness?
So the incursion into the heart of darkness also means
a descent by Marlow into the depths of his own soul
. As Marlow stands for Conrad himself so the novel also becomes a kind of the exploration of Conrad’s own mind during his visit to Congo.
Is Kurtz good or bad?
The primary antagonist in Heart of Darkness is Kurtz, whose descent into madness makes him the clearest embodiment of corruption and evil in the novella, and ultimately the character that fully disillusions Marlow in regard to European conquests.
Who is with Kurtz when he dies?
In his dying words as in his life, though, Kurtz creates an enigma, an object for contemplation, which certainly is something. His legacy, in fact, would seem to be
Marlow
, who, like the Russian trader, seems to have had his mind “enlarged” by Kurtz.
What is Kurtz known for?
| Kurtz | Gender Male | Occupation Ivory trader | Nationality British |
|---|
Why is it called Heart of Darkness?
The phrase ‘Heart of Darkness’ refers to the inmost region of Africa (which was in those times still in the process of being explored) and the black people who still led primitive lives. The title is appropriate for the novel
because Marlow has described his experiences of the Congo and people of Congo
.
