Heart of Darkness
No summary, no dissecting out of a "subject", is adequate to express the intention and significance of Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness". The theme is not schematic; it is embodied in the metaphors, in the structural pattern, and the step-by-step flow of the narration. However, Conrad does have one identifiable chief concern. As he himself stated in a letter to F. N. Doubleday on June 2, 1924: "I think that an author who tries to 'explain' is exposing himself to a very great risk-the risk of confessing himself a failure. For a work of art should speak for itself. Yet much could be said on the other side; for it is also clear that a work of art is not a logical demonstration carrying its intention on the face of it." "Heart of Darkness" has it significant public side, as a heated document on illogical and brutal exploitation. It may be read merely to shock, yet it is evidence of things seen and done. To attempt to understand the purpose of the story, it is important to first closely evaluate Marlow's character. One would think that Marlow is merely the obvious medium through which we examine the exploitation of the Congo natives and the degradation of Mr. Kurtz, the 'hollow man'. However, "Heart of Darkness" is above
The principle in Marlow's interview with Kurtz's Intended does not consist in Marlow's feelings toward her or in the discrepancy between her opinion of Kurtz, but rather in the acceptance of darkness by a messenger of light. He is not just a puppet of sorts, but a complete character. For all we know, Kurtz may be horrified because his practices and ivory gathering have been cut short-or he may be looking at Marlow. It was somber enough too-and pitiful-not extraordinary in any way-not very clear either. In Marlow's eyes, the most one could desire for out of life is self understanding or self- realization, and that perhaps the most absolute knowledge comes just at the flash of death, as seems to have happened with Kurtz by his last words. As a narrator, he provides a precise and concretely realized point of view. He returns to Europe a changed and more perceptive man. Light and dark have conventionally represented good and evil, and civilization has commonly been viewed as good, whereas savagery has normally been perceived as evil. His last words, said Marlow, were the young woman's name. It is a record of distant relationship with the wild and passionate chaos, of a trace of a response to it, of an ultimate refusal of the fascination of abomination. This brings up the obvious questions. The Inner Station was the farthest point of his experience. Howling natives correspond to something inside himself; but in spite of everything, professing light he is loyal to Kurtz's darkness. Ultimately, it becomes evident that his real journey has been to the center of the human soul.
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Acceptance Essays
