Although all of the primary characters in Conrad's Heart of Darkness are male, it is important that the true significance of the roles portrayed by the women of the novel is not overlooked. At first glance, the three women in the novel have seemingly modest roles. In actuality, these women carry great symbolic substance. The Native not only represents all nature, virtue, simplicity, and integrity, but also temptation. The Intended symbolizes chaos, industry, and discovery; the inanity and the chaotic senselessness of modern day civilization. Marlow's Aunt typifies the outlook on women at the time of the novel's writing. A vast deal of the true meaning and undertones of Heart of Darkness would be lost without the women characters of the novel, even while these characters appear only for short periods.
             Just in recent times have women taken a heightened part in literature. Not only have women finally ceased to be portrayed as helpless and distressed, women now are described as resilient, forceful, and even as protagonists. At first glance, it would appear as though, in Conrad's Heart of Darkness, the positive depiction of women makes an immense regression. Throughout the novel, not one of the women is cited as saying anything bright, purposeful, or with any substance. Little, if any, character or individuality is given to any of the women of the novel. Upon closer scrutiny, however, it becomes apparent to the reader that the women of the novel bear a much loftier significance; for it is the depth of their symbolism which is really important, rather than the length of their roles.
             Heart of Darkness was written during a time when demeaning views of women were finally beginning to abate, although many during that age still thought of women as the inferior race. Marlow's Aunt is clearly an expression of Conrad's attitude concerning women. After a brief discussion with his Aunt in which she re...