Heart of Darkness
The contrast between the ideas of light and dark in Heart of Darkness is yet what sets the backdrop for the story. These revolving colors are not only seen in man but in nature as well. Both represent many things that consume their surrounding and have the ability to alter ones perceptions. Morality and social values are two of the thematic elements that these two shades touch upon and intertwine with this idea that since there is evil it must have a reciprocal, thus being the good. Light and its representation in this novella defies that of its normal symbolic use. Instead of being something pure and truthful it is seen as something harsh and contains no truth, only lies. Conrad implies that this idea imperialism and absurdity are what draw the lines between entering this light, a world filled with lies, or staying in a world of truth, a world confused by moral standards and social issues such as social biases and stereotypes. Here we, the more educate commune of people, must choose the lesser of two evils. We are confronted by this lurid . . .
We go in search of it but nobody actually wants to see it. It is what is and always will be as well as the light. Who can say something is morally wrong when every ones morals differ? Once again, nobody can. “It would have been too dark--to dark all together. Darkness is the truth that we can‘t do anything about. ” (p157) But to see light you have to have the dark. But who can judge morality? Nobody can. ” (p120) So we just take someone’s word for it and move on because well, it’s much easier. Why would you do something that didn’t need to be done? That is the darkness. These are the guidelines or the safety rails in our life. It just depends on what light you choose to see it in. (Perhaps this is where nature and man have something in common; they are both seen as evil even though they really aren’t, they just wear these colors as a mask. This is what Conrad claims we all do and that is to believe this light, and to take in this lie because we possibly couldn’t handle this truth.
Common topics in this essay:
Heart Darkness, Black Sahara, , darkness truth, evil arent, light dark, |
Acceptance Essays
