In the novel, Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, the author uses light in a way to show the truth through darkness of imperialism and evil, not the colonization of Africa. The landscape, settings, and descriptions of this book mark the irony of light. Even the maps that describe the world, and more specifically Africa, are described with light and color to show their parts in the world. Through the lighting of different characters, such as Kurtz, secretaries, imperialists, and the natives, Conrad shows the truth of the evil apparent in the white men through the irony of lighting in this novel.
             Conrad assets himself quickly in this book with meaningful use of light and setting. His descriptions of the land are flat, and lets the reader know that the picture he is trying to paint is not supposed to be an appealing place. "A haze rested on the low shores that ran out to the sea in vanishing flatness. The air was dark above Gravesend, and farther back still seemed condensed into a mournful gloom" (Conrad, 1). Already the light is used as a setting for a mood. This opening page reveals the tendencies for the entire book, even though at this point the reader is not aware, a sense of evil, fear, or terror is already in the readers mind simply through the use of setting and light.
             "...We live in the flicker-may it last as long as the old earth keeps rolling! But darkness was here yesterday..." (Conrad 3). This part of the book foreshadows well what the book tells later of evil and imperialism in Africa through light. Conrad says that darkness was here yesterday; a reference to the Romans and their conquest of the world. The Roman Empire, being viewed as very noble, was made through death, cruelty, and conquest, which is mirrored with the imperialization of Africa.
             Traditionally, light represents the good in the world and dark represents evil. Yet in this novel, Conrad exploits these interpretation...