The Secret Sharer By Joseph Conrad

The Secret Sharer By Joseph Conrad
The Secret Sharer by Joseph Conrad The short story "The Secret Sharer" by Joseph Conrad centers
around a character of a sea captain who is insecure and has great feelings of inadequacy on his fist
job as Captain of a ship. In the story the Captain befriends a fugitive by the name of Legatt who is
clearly shown to be a figment of the Captains imagination rather than an actual human being. The
title of the story alone suggests that the "secret sharer" is an imaginary friend that is secretive and
that the Captain can share his thoughts with. The Captains feelings of inadequacy and his
insecurities leave an empty space in him, which he fills by imagining his "secret sharer". Legatt
helps the Captain overcome his feelings of inadequacy ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
At this point the Captain is unsteady in his new command but has good intentions. He keeps anchor
watch one night, to the astonishment of the crew, as a gesture of benevolence. However, his attempt
toward friendliness serves to alienate the captain even further because his crew is so taken aback by
his actions. The Captain needs to show leadership in order to gain respect of his crew, but being his
first time in command of a ship and being a stranger to himself he does not know how. When Legatt
first appears the Captain seems to treat him like a distinguished guest rather than a fugitive. The
Captain discovers that they have a few things in common and feels like he has someone he can
relate to on the ship. He refers to Legatt as his double numerous times because he says they look so
much alike. When Legatt first enters the ship the Captain gives him a sleeping suit identical to his
and it fit him perfectly. Some very great similarities can be seen from this and it appears that the
Captain and Legatt are one and the same person "One of my hands, too, rested on the end of the
skylight...the strange Captain having a quiet confabulation by the wheel with his own gray ghost"
(730). This quote suggests that the Captain may be imagining Legatt to have someone on the ship to
confide in and not to be the only stranger on the ship. The Captain hides Legatt in his quarters for a
few days and becomes almost inseparable from him, which in turn makes the
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Heart Of Darkness By Joseph Conrad Essay
One of the biggest fallacies one could make is believe with certainty that humankind is only one
way (good or bad) without taking into account that ascertaining the precise percentage of how good
and how bad humanity is almost inconceivable. The only thing one can infer is that every human
and everything created by humans has two sides to it: the form and the substance. Joseph Conrad's
novella "Heart of Darkness" shows precisely how dangerous it is to put our trust in a concept, for
example: colonization, without realizing that most of the time one only gets to see the form and not
the substance.
In this essay, my purpose is to demonstrate that "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad is mainly a
novella about the discrepancy between substance and form. In order to prove my point I will bring
into discussion the matter of colonization and two of the characters: the General Manager and Kurtz.
Firstly, in "Heart of Darkness" colonization is perceived from two different perspectives: the first
perspective of the ones not involved directly, the second one of the ones who had an active role in
the action. In regard to this, the form is represented by how colonization was considered by the
outsider, namely the one who believed it to be an act of kindness and an attempt to bring light in the
land of darkness. For instance, Marlow's aunt, who was the one who helped him fulfil his dream of
going to Africa, maintained that her nephew was: "like an emissary of light, something like a lower

Joseph Conrad 's Heart Of Darkness
Chinua Achebe's controversial essay published in 1977 focuses on the racist views woven into
Joseph Conrad's 1899 novella, Heart of Darkness. Achebe claims that Conrad uses many western
stereotypes of Africa and subtly weaves them below the surface of his writing. However, due to the
popularity of the novella and the skill of Conrad, his racist views go undetected. The most obvious
indicator of Conrad's racist views is the depictions of the people. They are described as "savage
creatures," yet Conrad's novella is noted for its excellence and not its horrible racist claims. Conrad's
novella is full of parallels, such as the River Thames, which is peaceful and calm contrary to the
Congo River, which is depicted as being a rough and dangerous place. By creating these parallels
Conrad is representing the differences between the European people and the Natives of Congo
because he fears the thought of having anything in common with them. Achebe declares that the
racist views in the novella come from Conrad 's own beliefs but to conceal them he hides behind
multiple narrators. Achebe puts forth a compelling article that delves deep into the depths of Heart
of Darkness.
Although Chinua Achebe's essay brings forth some convincing points highlighting the racism within
Heart of Darkness, he makes too many assumptions about Conrad's true intentions and beliefs that
are not concrete enough to prove that Heart of Darkness is a racist novella. Achebe focuses largely
on the language that

How Does Joseph Conrad Dehumanize
A white man named Marlow travels to the Congo during the time of The Scramble for Africa. He
describes what he sees and his perception of Africans. He describes their appearance and actions.
They are characterized as savages and are not seen as part of the human race. Joseph Conrad, the
author of Heart Of Darkness is denounced for his racist remarks and dehumanizing aspect
throughout this story. Although Conrad makes racist statements, it is relevant to the time period in
which the story took place in. During this time period, the Belgians were imperializing Africa and
taking its riches resources. However, the Africans were seen as slaves due to the fact that they were
subjugated. The problem with this is that this one image of Africa in history

Heart Of Darkness By Joseph Conrad
Heart of Darkness
Joseph Conrad was born by the name Jozej Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski on Dec. 3, 1857. He was
an English novelist and short story writer who wrote many titles to include Lord Jim, Nostromo, and
The secret Agent. He was known for his richness of the use of prose and also using his encounters
with living on the high seas. His reputation as a great story teller covers up his great fascination
when people are faced with nature's invaraiable unconcern, man's frequent malevolence, and his
inner battle with good and evil. Conrad's father was a poet and a polish patriot who was arrested and
sent in to exile in late 1861. Conrad was introduced to English at the young age of eight while
listening to his father translate some great ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
From the outside you would consider it a tale of mystery and adventure taking place in central
Africa along the Congo River. Another great thing taken from this book is the symbolic journey into
man's inner being containing details of literal and symbolic levels that contribute to the narrative and
the interpretations of the meaning of the story. To fully understand this book sit back and let me tell
you about the plot. The plot begins with Marlow fresh from Europe who sets sail up the Congo
River to relieve Kurtz. Marlow despite never encountering Kurtz admires and respects him through
the reputation and the writings he made of civiling the African continent. Marlow from his
experiences in Africa with the effects of colonialism and how Kurtz has become a vicious power
hungry subjugator of the African natives makes him dislike the man now. The journey forces
Marlow to face Kurtz to confront the corruption but also he will be faced by the same temptation.
When he meets Kurtz finally he is ravaged by disease, and dissipation and is near death. Kurtz dies
and Marlow returns to Belgium where is greeted by Kurtz's fiancée and tells her many lies. Marlow
claimed her name was said during the death and withheld the illegal activities that went on. Critics
have debated these motives behind the deception saying that it causes an act condescension,

Heart Of Darkness, By Joseph Conrad
The political philosopher Benjamin Constant argued, "no one has a right to a truth which injures
others." The question of lying has been debated for centuries: where should one draw the line with
lying? Should one try to never tell lies? Can the public handle the truth? In Joseph Conrad's novella
Heart of Darkness, Marlow, the protagonist, tried to answer this conundrum. He lied three times
during the course of his story, each time becoming larger than the last. As the philosopher Kant
argued, once a lie is told, the concept of truth itself is attacked, leading to increasingly great lies
until they become too large for the liar himself. In this novella, Marlow began by lying to someone
of no consequence; subsequently he lied to the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
A reader wants to trust the author. The way the book is written, as someone else's story, makes the
reader question what is being said. How does one know that the speaker is trustworthy when they
can tell he is hiding his true feelings from himself and the others at some parts in the story?
The first time that Marlow introduced the idea of lying is when he let the first–class agent at the
Central Station believe he was more influential than he actually was. After committing this minor
falsehood, he explained in depth that it was unusual for him to lie, as if to assure the reader not to
worry. Explaining not only to the men on the Nellie, but also to the readers, "You know I hate,
detest, and can't bear a lie, not because I am straighter than the rest of us, but simply because it
appalls me. There is a taint of death, a flavor of mortality in lies–which is exactly what I hate and
detest in the world–what I want to forget" (32), he was not trying to convince them that he did not
lie ever, but that when he did, it as for a specific, important reason. He lowered himself to the level
of the pilgrims, the worst of society in their power–hungry mindset, because of his lie. Another
important aspect of this quote is that it was said before Marlow entered the wildness of Africa, and
it's as if he lost his innocence of the world. Before Africa, he was just as blind to the realities of the
world as the other Europeans. After this small lie, he underwent experiences in

Joseph Conrad 's Heart Of Darkness
Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, published in 1899, is a
novella (a short novel or long short story) that is a good representation of the genre of colonial
literature; it is about Marlow, who is a sailor, and his voyage up the Congo River. His top priority is
to meet Kurtz, a man who is known for his success of collecting ivory and his other captivating
potentials. Marlow's journey begins once he accepts a job with the Company, a Belgian organization
concerned with trade within the Congo area (Conrad 9). However, Marlow is surprised by the
widespread suffering and inhumanity of the natives when he arrives at his designated areas in Africa
near the Congo. Marlow soon realizes that the Company's intentions of "helping" the natives may
not be as optimistic as it first seemed when he acquired the job as the steamboat sailor. Marlow's
urge to meet the fascinating Kurtz is what keeps him motivated in the midst of all the horror. Heart
of Darkness is written as a frame story, which is a story–within–a–story. The novel begins with
Marlow and a few of his companions aboard a boat known as the Nellie in the Thames River in
London. Marlow eases into his story about when he first began his sailing career; the story is told by
him, but the unnamed narrator is the one recalling what Marlow says while he shares his earlier
sailing days with the others. As a child, Marlow had an extreme fascination with blank spaces on
maps. The Congo River and all

The Heart Of Darkness By Joseph Conrad
When you hear of the word "darkness", what do you think of? The simple definition of "darkness" is
the lack of presence of light. In "The Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad, "darkness" is relevant
throughout the text. "Darkness" is evident in many of the themes and even the setting of the text.
The biggest theme of the text is imperialism. If we were to rewind many years back, imperialism
was one of the darkest times. During imperialism, the "civilized" countries have invaded the
"uncivilized" countries to exploit the indigenous people of the "uncivilized" country. Along with the
exploitation of the indigenous people many of them were killed. Just learning about the age of
imperialism filled the classroom with clouds of darkness. How can someone be so dark? In the text
Joseph Conrad tries to contrast light from dark and white from black. Conrad makes it clear that he
does not support the darkness imperialism brought to the world. Conrad uses "darkness" throughout
the text in many different situations, this paper will analyze the different purposes and different
styles used when Conrad introduces "darkness" in the text. One key use of the term "darkness" is to
symbolize the unknown. Conrad employs the style of keeping the names of characters secretive.
Conrad begins and ends the text with an unnamed narrator. He continues this style by leaving many
other characters unnamed and calling them by the job they do. For example, he uses helmsman,
accountant, lawyer, doctor and

Heart of Darkness, a short novel written by Joseph Conrad, takes place on The Nellie, a cruising
yawl, where Charles Marlow tells his fellow adventurers the tale of his conquest into the heart of
Africa. As an ivory transporter for the Company, sailing down the Congo River, Marlow embarks on
a journey, observing European imperialism in central Africa and the radical tendencies of man
outside of civilization. On his journey, Marlow is introduced to the infamous Kurtz, a professional
ivory trader and intellectual gone mad in the wilderness. The novel revolves around masculinity and
barbarianism in the roughness of suppressing native people and facing fear. Only three women
characters are named in the story: Marlow's aunt and both Kurtz's ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
Then – would you believe it? – I tried the women. I, Charlie Marlow, set the women to work – to get
a job. Heavens! Well, you see, the notion drove me. I had an aunt, a dear enthusiastic soul. She
wrote: 'It will be delightful. I am ready to do anything, anything for you. It is a glorious idea. . . (8)
Women were viewed as subordinate to men, and men independent of women. Marlow says that his
aunt would get him appointed right away if "such was [his] fancy" (9). The men in his family were
all too knowledgeable of the situation in Africa to aid him in his search for a job. The women,
though, are "enthusiastic soul[s]" and his aunt is so oblivious of the dangers that she, right away,
decides to help (8). This becomes uncomfortable for Marlow, relying on a woman to help him out,
and he experiences the shame in doing so as he isn't accustomed to the idea of relying on a woman.
Upon saying goodbye to his aunt, Marlow finds that she makes him uncomfortable with her ignorant
perspective on colonialism. He comments, saying:
It's queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in a world of their own and there has
never been anything like it, and never can be. It is too beautiful altogether, and if they were to set it
up it would go to pieces before the first sunset. (14) Marlow believes that women are too naïve and
oblivious to the horrific

Written in the late 1800's, Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness is a novella about one man's travel
into the Congo Free State by way of the Congo River. The title "Heart of Darkness" actually holds
two different meanings. Heart of Darkness is both a metaphor for a psychological "dark side" of
man, and an allusion to Africa. The title suggests both a physical and mental reference. During the
time the novel takes place, Africa was nick–named the dark continent because of how little the
Europeans knew about Africa. In reference to the title, the main character in the novel, Marlow
describes Africa as "a place of darkness" (Conrad 43). He compares the Congo river to a snake: its
head in the sea, its body curving over a country, and its tail in the deep of the land (Conrad 5).
Because of how little was known about Africa, it was considered both a mystery and a challenge to
Europeans. Another mystery Africa held for Europeans was the native ''savages''. Savages was the
all–encompassing term the whites use to refer to all natives, despite any differing origins. In this
novel, the savages ranged from the workers dying of starvation and sickness at the Outer Station to
the cannibals who worked on Marlow 's boat to the tribe of natives who worship Kurtz as a powerful
deity. The dense jungle that covers the land in darkness in the novella, is another literal reference to
the darkness alluded to in the title. Marlow describes the travel on the edge of a colossal jungle, to
be so dark

In Joseph Conrad's, Heart of Darkness one encounters the telling of Conrad's adventures on a
steamship traveling up the Congo when numerous, drastic accountancies take place. During this
Victorian age, men are seen as heroes and women are occupied by roles of domesticity, which
ironically the story tells quite the opposite from these two ideals. Throughout the text, one will also
learn from the imperialistic society that is set forth by the Europeans and the controversy that arises
because of the social system within the home and civilization. This story is set up by a narrator, by
the name of Marlow, who re–telling the experiences that Conrad had and how various obstacles
were overcome with he and his intended or fiancé. In Heart of Darkness, the main themes that are
discussed and brought to light throughout the entire story are that of the hypocrisy behind the idea of
Imperialism, the madness that surrounds the absurdity of evil, and the idea of the last encounter that
Marlow has with Kurtz's intended and the irony that surrounds the circumstance. First, the issue at
hand with Imperialism and the insincerity that surrounds it is baffling, as Marlow is traveling in and
out of the many stations that neighbor the river he is on. Marlow is in awe, as he has to encounter
and be a bystander of much torture, cruelty and a sense of slavery that these station workers possess
and fight for on a daily basis, highly focusing on the Inner and Outer Station or Central Station. As

Is Joseph Conrad Racist Or Racist
"One of these creatures rose to his hands and knees, and went off on all–four towards the river to
drink"(Conrad 53). Is Joseph Conrad being racist by saying this? Or is he just telling the story how it
was in 1890's? These are some of the questions that goes through a reader's mind after they read the
Heart of Darkness. The more the reader thinks about the words said about African Americans and
women. They may come to the idea that Conrad is a racist. By no means does this mean Conrad's
work is not a piece of famous art. How can a reader say author is or is not a racist person? Is
Conrad's not racist or is it just the main character Marlow? These questions have been a very hot
topic when it comes to Conrad's book Heart of Darkness.
"The conquest of the earth, which mostly means ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
No person that ever read the Heart of Darkness can say it does not contain racism. Yet the novel is
still considered a piece of art because of the history it beholds ("Marlowe's" 2). Many critics such as
Chinua Achebe will say other wise because of the racism it tells ("Marlowe's" 2) Heart of Darkness
is the idea of how wicked a human's soul/ heart actually can be ("Racism" 8). This proves that no
matter the color of one's skin that does not determine their personality (Conrad 88). This novel
shows the darkest sides of any human white or african american. That does not mean a thing but
what does is who that person really is. The Heart of Darkness tells an accurate story of a very
disgusting time in the world ("Exploration" 1). Even with all the facts and literature that shows it has
racism in it, Heart of Darkness is still a wonderful work of art to many. One must remember that all
novels are open for one's own interpretation ("Marlowe's" 7). Therefore the book can be racist
depending on the reader's comprehension of the novel ("Marlowe's"

Introduction
The "Heart of Darkness" authored by Joseph Conrad is a novella (writing that seems to be a novel
and also a short story in scope and length) about European Imperialism in Africa and was published
by J.M. Dent $ Sons, Ltd. The novella is written in parts, from part one to part three. Joseph Conrad
born in Polish Ukraine started learning English when he was twenty–one years old, he has written
several books like Almayer's Folly in 1894, Lord Jim, Nostrum, and The Secret Agent. The writing
of Heart of Darkness tries to illustrate what actually modernism is in relation to Victorian
predecessors. The novella mainly uses the traditional ideas of heroism with women given the
traditional roles and they are rarely portrayed in the narrative. Heart of Darkness's provides critical
view of European imperial activities.
Major Characters.
Marlow is a major character in the "Heart of Darkness," and he portrays modernism in Conrad's
writing, he is a hero in the traditional setting, tough and independent thinker throughout the novel.
Marlow is highly skilled in repairing and the ably pilots of his ship, but despite the fact that he is
strong, he is defeated with some things of European imperialism.
He is an intermediary between the company and Kurt, who are two extremes in the writing. He acts
as the reader's guide since he is moderate and has the capability of being a self–thinker. Marlow is a
flat character who remains throughout the book
The other major character is

In the Heart Of Darkness by Joseph Conrad he revels that everyone has a dark or evil side to himself
or herself even if they might not be aware of it. Marlow embarked on a spiritual adventure to the
Congo, where he witnesses Kurtz, the man he has come so far to meet is engulfed in greed and has
the natives look up to him as a godlike figure. Conrad tells the tale of a mans psychological journey
in ones mind as he progresses through the jungle. Marlow's psychological changes become evident
when he approaches the heart of darkness and begins to respect Kurtz for his conniving ways in
which he used to hate. Conrad tries to show a connection between the two characters by showing the
reader that Marlow is what Kurtz used to ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
(Conrad 312) From the first time Marlow is told of Kurtz, he has somewhat of a fascination with
him. Marlow has a sense of anticipation to meet Kurtz and form his own constructed opinion on him
due to all the conflicting rumors he hears about Kurtz. The chief of the inner station describes Kurtz
as "an emissary of pity, and science and progress, and devil knows what else" making Marlow even
more curious to meet Kurtz. (Conrad 317) Kurtz started out with the hopes of doing good but in the
end spiraled and his motives turned into pure evil. Kurtz was already affected Marlow 's
psychological journey without ever personally knowing of Marlow. Marlow was given many
changes throughout his journey to turn around before he entered and was engulfed in the darkness
yet he does not yield any of the warnings right away. Before Marlow meets Kurtz, their steamboat is
attacked by the natives and his helmsman dies. Marlow sees the death take place and is shocked.
"The side of his head hit the wheel twice, and the end of what appeared a long cane clattered round
and knocked over a little campstool. ...I had to make and effort to free my eyes from his gaze and
attend to the steering."(Conrad 334–335) While watching his helmsman die Marlow 's mind is still
focused on Kurtz and the anticipation if Kurtz is dead as well. Marlow finally realizes he traveled all
this way to for the sole purpose of talking to Kurtz while also finding his

People like to believe that social constructs and ideas have changed more over time
than they actually have. For many years, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad was a treasured
classic, with many honourable themes and messages, as the author reveals the true nature of
humanity by following an European sailor's journey through the dark jungles of Africa and down
the river Congo, all while watching as his own humanity changes. As society has evolved,
however, Heart of Darkness has come under scrutiny, as the language is quite racist. Chinua
Achebe, writer of An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's Heart of Darkness, used his essay to
highlight the racism prevalent in Conrad's writing, but many avid Conrad readers defend the
book, arguing that the book was written in a very racist time period and most of the racist
language and descriptions can be excused. Regardless, it is time that society, particularly white
and European society, recognizes that Achebe is correct in saying that the assumptions,
characterization and setting used in Heart of Darkness were racist then, and are racist now.
It is not uncommon for people to make assumptions; in fact, they are a common and
necessary part of life. Unfortunately, though, they often become the 'easy way out' for writers
who are dealing with a place unknown to them. Achebe points out in his essay that Conrad did
just that, using "the dominant image of Africa" (56) and relying on "Western imagination" (56)

Harsh Kumar Ms. A–GAP Literature 15 March 2017
Senior Thesis #3 Adolescence is a transitional phase of psychological development where one
begins to become more aware of themselves and their position in society. This transition is a vital
one that changes one's feelings, decision making, and attitude towards things that they might've
viewed differently as an adolescent. In the Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad exposes the
psychological change that Marlow goes through by coming to Congo for the development of his
experience and self through his confrontation with Kurtz, encounter with European imperialism, as
well as his newfound awareness of the unknown and unfamiliar.Marlow's confrontation with Kurtz
... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Overstreet, "people do bad things because they have bad in them" (Overstreet 1). This contributes
with Kurtz character as he has evil in him that leads to his malignant deeds. In the end, Kurtz falls ill
and passes away with his last words being "The Horror" (Conrad 43) which shows that despite his
god–like characterization of himself fell short and that the overwhelming power of greed was too
much for Kurtz and led to his demise. "Where there is no maturity of mind, there can be no vision"
(Overstreet 2). This statement relates with Kurtz as he was not mature enough to realize the
consequences of his actions and was in turn blinded by greed and a lust for power. Marlow and
Kurtz's relationship led to the psychological development of Marlow as the longer he got to know
Kurtz the more he became aware of his true character and the evils associated with him and in this
process he saw Kurtz in a completely divergent way due to the dialogue exchanged between Marlow
and Kurtz throughout the novel. Another way Marlow develops psychologically is through his
encounter and realization with the harsh realities of European imperialism through vivid imagery
which leads to his juxtaposition of ideas regarding imperialism. Marlow is shown as a strict
imperialist in the beginning of the book when he compares the "civilized European man" with the
"savage African man." (Conrad 15). These two conflicting figures and ideas represent the

Heart Of Darkness By Joseph Conrads
In Joseph Conrads' work, Heart of Darkness, many characters fall victim to insanity caused by the
wild environment. However, there are a select few who managed to leave the jungle unscathed after
their encounter with the foreign landscape and people. Among these few include the chief
accountant of the Outer Station, the foreman of mechanics, the manager of the Central Station, and
Marlow. It was not by chance that these men are able to retain their sanity. Each one of these
individuals had an occupation, background, lifestyle, or intellect that worked in their favor
throughout their stay in the Congo. One of the first men introduced to Marlow upon his arrival to the
Outer Station is the company's chief accountant. Not only is he impeccably dressed, but he is
devoted entirely to his paperwork. Marlow immediately observes, "He was devoted to his books,
which were in apple–pie order" (Conrad 46). The accountant's drive and nature of work are what
occupy his time and keep him from losing his mind amidst the dark and menacing jungle. His
stationary and indoor occupation prevent him from getting lost mentally and physically in the
horrors of the jungle. His lack of exposure to the environment allows him to maintain his civility,
which can be observed through his polished appearance and organized work. Consumed by his
work, the accountant is distracted from the horrors happening around him, remaining blissfully
ignorant amongst his papers. Similarly, the foreman of mechanics

In the Heart of Darkness, Conrad expands upon the understanding and complexities of the id, ego,
and superego within the characters of Marlow and Kurtz, and a journey of self–discovery is unveiled
through Conrad's portrayal of Marlow and Kurtz's psyches. The uses of diction and characterization
aid Conrad in guiding the characters from each level of the psyche – the impulsiveness, the reality,
and the superior wisdom of the id, ego, and superego. Marlow's journey of self–discovery begins in
the ego, which symbolizes the median balance between two extremes of impulsiveness and superior
conscience. Marlow is, as far as Conrad lets on, an average young man with hopes of becoming an
imperialist. His motives are clear and concise, his only goals

Joseph Conrad Research Paper
Joseph Conrad was born Jozef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski on December 3, 1857 to Polish parents
in Berdychiv, Ukraine. During his early life, Conrad didn't show the inspiration and desire to
become an author. With novels like Lord Jim, Heart of Darkness, and The Secret Agent, Conrad
didn't gain inspiration for them from other novels, but from his seafaring career as a marine
merchant. Although Joseph Conrad rise to fame could have been seen as unconventional because of
his early life, the legacy that he left behind was nothing less than amazing due to the success of his
novels and the influences that they had on other prominent authors in the future. (bio.com)
Joseph Conrad early life could have been seen as very eventful. Although his family ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
The novel was an adventure tale set in the Borneo jungles and was widely successful for him. With
his first being a huge success, Joseph Conrad begin writing two more novels that would end up
being his most famous and enduring. Lord Jim and Heart of Darkness, became two of Conrad most
important novels that only cemented his name as one of the most famous author. Lord Jim, written
in 1900 was a story about an outcast young sailor who came to terms with his pasts act of
cowardice, and turned out to become the leader of a small South Seas country. On the other hand,
Heart of Darkness, written in 1902, was a novel that described a British man's journey deep into the
Congo of Africa. Along his journey, the man would encounters the cruel and mysterious Kurtz. In
these two literary pieces, many of signature elements of Conrad's writing can be seen. Faraway
settings, dramatic conflicts between human characters and nature, and the themes of individualism
are just some of the many different writing style that could have been seen in both literary pieces.
Throughout Conrad's story and novel, he was very contempted to show situations that drew parallels
between the inner lives of single characters and the broader sweep of human history. The success of
Lord Jim, and Heart of Darkness, didn't slow down Conrad from creating more novel, but only
fueled the fire that gave him

Conrad 's Heart Of Darkness
The novel Heart of Darkness, written by Conrad, explores the Congo through Marlow's story.
Marlow discovers the horror behind imperialism through the invasion of Europeans into the Congo,
inhabited by African natives. Conrad includes irony, imagery, and symbolism to criticize white
imperialism and argue that Europeans cause destruction and native societies. In Heart of Darkness,
Conrad reverses the traditional associations with Europeans and natives to argue that the success of
a society depends on its level of morality, which is absent in imperialism. In Conrad's novel, the
level of morality of Europeans and natives are shown through the reverse relationship between
Europeans and natives through their amount of restraint. During the boat ride to Kurtz, Marlow
notices the native's restraint towards man's hardest temptation, hunger. Conrad shows that although
the natives have starved compared to the well–fed Europeans, the native's morality stops them from
giving into cannibalism: "Restraint... No fear can stand up to hunger... It takes a man all his inborn
strength to fight hunger properly" (68). On the same boat ride, fat Europeans demonstrate no
restraint compared to the natives because the Europeans do not hesitate to kill a native if survival
must overrule their morals. The European yells to Marlow, "'Catch 'im'... Eat 'im'" (66). The
Europeans again show no restraint towards hunger when Kurtz's "appetite for more ivory" (95)
grows, even with the consequence of growing

The novella Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, ultimately refers not to the impenetrable
wilderness of the African Congo with which the European colonists are confronted, but rather to the
primal and insurmountable darkness of the human heart. In the "civilized" world of the Europeans,
man has driven this darkness back into his subconscious, and instead presents a façade of virtue and
good intentions. Africa, on the other hand, which is seen as a "primeval" environment, its people a
less evolved version of their white counterparts, is fully in touch with this darker, more elementary
dimension of human nature. In many ways, since the African natives are often portrayed as a living
extension of the wilderness itself, it symbolically is the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Understanding the statement presented about the true nature of man hinges on acknowledging the
nature of the portrayal of the African natives in the novella. Conrad uses them largely as a device, in
many ways an extension of the wilderness of the Congo, which itself is a representation of the inner
wilderness of the human heart. When Marlow notes, "The utter savagery, had closed round him, –all
that mysterious life of the wilderness that stirs in the forest, in the jungles, in the hearts of wild
men." (7), he introduces this parallel, and indicates its importance in the events that transpire.
Additionally, the beliefs of the time, which Marlow shares, include the perspective of blacks as an
earlier "version" of the white European, and therefore more primitive, and less civilized or evolved,
as Marlow suggests when he refers to them as "prehistoric man" or "raw matter". This is a crucial
element in the understanding of their purpose in the story. They, with their physically "dark"
appearance, which connects them to the "darkness" of their surroundings, are made a literal
depiction of the shadow living in the heart of the European– he too is truly a "savage" on the inside,
but has suppressed or cloaked it in some way.
Significant textual evidence also supports this

In the story Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad a sailor decides to travel to Africa on a whim,
using family connections he enlists as the captain of a ship travelling up the Congo River. The
novella provides many themes, however is the text in itself racist? One of the main concepts
portrayed in Heart of Darkness is the treatment of the natives of Africa and their image. This is most
commonly shown through the disparity of the image between what is said in the novel and what can
be read through subtext. Hunters for gold or pursuers of fame, they all had gone out on that stream,
bearing the sword, and often the torch, messengers of the might within the land, bearers of a spark
from the sacred fire. What greatness had not floated on the ebb of that river into the mystery of an
unknown earth!...The dreams of men, the seed of commonwealths, the germs of empires. (1.6) The
image shown is that the men are great adventurers seeking wealth and happiness, but is contrasting
the fact that these supposed wonderful people are raping and enslaving another people. It is without
a doubt that there is racism portrayed in the story and the implication is that Conrad is racist as well,
however the cartoonish way it is shown makes it seem as though he is simply showing the darkness
of humanity. The point of view taken by Marlow in the novella shows what people were like at the
time the story takes place. How, even when sympathetic towards a different race, he is still unable to
see

In his provocative novella Heart of Darkness, author Joseph Conrad sheds light on the primal nature
in all men, casting a shadow–a darkness that is the result of being freed of societies norms. An in–
depth analysis of Joseph Conrad and the work shows how well he is able to combine story elements
to make an engaging read. Conrad is able to do this through his characters, such as protagonist
Marlow, whose experiences through his journey shows him vividly, the violence and brutality even
the gentlest people are capable of. In addition to that, Marlow's physical trip by boat through the
Congo is parallel to both his and the reader's knowledge of the books themes. Finally, Conrad's story
ends leaving the reader to interpret the true definition of this darkness mentioned in the title by
comparing and contrasting the two settings and through certain dialogue by characters. Heart of
Darkness is mix of characters, setting, imagery, and plot that carefully unravels the complexity of
human behavior. In addition to this, the work also focuses on Africa–the unknown "Dark Continent"
and how its exploration and colonization allowed it to be subjugated by "civilized" European
countries, an idea which is deconstructed itself in the novella., Heart of Darkness has been both
praised for its quality in writing and criticized for its overt racism that would be extremely offensive
by today's standards .Nonetheless, Heart of Darkness analyzes society itself by questioning the

Conrad Richter's The Light In The Forest
The novel The Light in the Forest portrays the fictional tale of a white boy raised by Indians, who is
sent back to a society he has been raised to hate. He must learn to adapt to the new society, and he
realizes the faults between both cultures as he seeks to find his new identity. The author, Conrad
Richter, states in the beginning that his goal was to create a non–biased novel that portrayed both
cultures equally and "give an authentic sensation of life in early America". Conrad Richter's novel
"The Light in the Forest" is unbiased between the two cultures, proved through historical events that
happened both in reality and the novel, the views and human nature of both cultures, and the point
of view in which the story is told.
Richter's book is unbiased, supported by the similarity of the historical events in reality and those in
the book. As the European settlers were just arriving, the Indians were willing to make peace and
help the strangers, while the settlers were wary of the generous Indians. In the documentary, We
Shall Remain: After the Mayflower, its shown that the Wamponoag have a meeting with the white
people. As Jenny Hale Pulsipher says, "It ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
On page 68, Uncle Wilse refers to the acts of gore against Indians and says, "That's the best thing
that could have happened to them. They got what they deserved. We fixed the men so they wouldn't
butcher anymore of our people. And we fixed the squaws and young ones so they wouldn't breed
any more murderers." Historically, this is true, as in the Library of Congress's book of Firsthand
Accounts called "Witnessing America", Captain John Smith recounts the Jamestown Massacre, one
of the many massacres that the Indians committed. Uncle Wilse is not biased to believe Indians are
murderers, as the majority of settlers did believe that, and in some cases, the Native Americans

Conrad Richter's The Light In The Forest
Conrad Richter, the author of The Light in the Forest, was a photographer of thoughts with his skills
in writing with imagery. Imagery in a literary work, is the use of visual descriptive or figurative
language. Conrad Richter used this tool in all of his books. He was a writer since 1928–1953, and
wrote different from the time period. When his wife became ill, they moved to Albuquerque, New
Mexico for her health. Inspired from the rich history of the southwest, he was able to write about the
conflicts between the cowboys and Indians. As a young man, Conrad grew up in a small mining
community and heard family stories, of ancestors traveling and conquering the frontier. He was
amazed by the tales and the hardships they faced. When he grew older

Joseph Conrad Sexism
Racism is incredibly evident to readers in Joseph Conrad's famous novel, Heart of Darkness.
Readers are able to easily identify the repulsive treatment of African Americans through protagonist
character Marlow's eyes. Many are repelled by the incredibly grotesque description of the native
Africans as "savages". However, the underlying theme of sexism is often overlooked in Conrad's
writing. He uses his characters to express his own opinions on a woman's place in society–or lack
thereof. Though this book was written over 100 years ago, it is incredibly ironic how relevant this
trend is to–day. Present–day America pushes so hard to distance itself from racial prejudices–
whereas prejudices against women are not only frequently recurring in society, ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
Contrary to many beliefs, feminists don't want to walk around shirtless. We don't hate men. We don't
want to be treated like men. We have nothing against women who wear dresses and are stay at home
moms. We also have nothing against women who put their careers first and don't want to start a
family. Feminism is the radical notion that women are people, and can be whatever they want to be.
Theodore Roosevelt once said "stating a problem without a solution is just whining!", and that's not
what I want to do here. So I am going to suggest a simple solution that if taken to heart, could affect
all of mankind. Ready? Let women be whatever the hell they want to be...and respect them for it!
Because a woman who stays at home and raises a family is not a lazy gold–digger. Being a mother is
one of the toughest jobs in the world, and not one to be undermined. But on the other hand, a
woman who chooses not to have children and to focus on her career is not self centered. She is just
as smart and driven as any man doing the exact same thing. It's essential that as a society we move
past the sexist mindset that we see in Heart of Darkness. We're not stuck in the Victorian Era.
Women and men must understand how we can all benefit when given equality. It sets us all free and
allows us to progress. Imagine this country's potential if we could get rid of all

The Heart of Darkness is written by Joseph Conrad in the time period of British imperialism. In
Heart of Darkness, we are shown that good and evil is a blurry concept, and not one of black and
white. Thesis: The title of Conrad's, Heart of Darkness, refers to power and lust, through the
understanding of Fanon's theory, we contract that the white imperialistic Europe is the darkness for
the novella, however, due to his racist tendencies, Conrad describes the natives as black , or dark
shapes as described in An Image of Africa.
The Heart of Darkness describes the colonization of an African tribe for the purpose of obtaining
ivory by The Company. The Company is housed in Belgium, Germany, but has recruited the help of
Marlow to recover the bones of his predecessor, Fresleven. While entering the jungle Conrad
describes the canapés of the tree top casting a darkness that continues throughout their journey. This
offers the reader a precursor as to what will be shown in the jungle, a darkness, an uncivilized
community of "black shapes." These black shapes are the natives of the Congo River, who have
been forced into working for the company in the ivory trade. These natives are worked to near death
and dehumanized to the point of being referred to as shapes and not as people. The natives are
considered to be savages and are not referred to as human beings to further distance the relation
between white Europeans and them. During communication between the natives, Achebe in An

Kashif Qureshi
Western Civilization II
4/18/2016
Question #1
Imperialism is when a country is extending it's influence by acquiring other governments or
territories through diplomacy or military force.There are many motives for imperialism attributed to
the different characters in "The Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad. For example the men who
work for the Company describe what they do as trade, and their treatment of native Africans is part
of a humane project of civilization. But what these men for the company really do is they extending
their influence on the Africans by force. In "The Heart of Darkness" Marlow who also work for the
company states "It was just robbery with violence, aging gravated murder on a great scale, and men
... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
King Leopold from "The Black Man's Burden" and the company from "The Heart of Darkness"
have very similar motives attributed to imperialism, such as exploiting Africa of it resources. Joseph
Conrad doesn't single out to any one motive in particular he gives them all their fair share in " The
Heart of Darkness," the point that Conrad tries to emphasize is how imperialism is associated with
many negatives. Kurtz is one of the characters in "The Heart of Darkness" who has a very clear
motive attributed towards imperialism. Kurtz is open about his actions that he does not trade but
rather takes ivory by force, and he describes his own treatment of the natives with the words like
suppression and extermination. Kurtz has let himself loose by keeping company with excessively
with the natives and not keeping up appearances with the company; in so doing, he has become
wildly successful but has also made enemies of his fellow white men. Kurtz states "He began with
the argument that we whites, from the point of development we had arrived at, " 'must necessarily
appear to them [savages] in the nature of supernatural beings– we approach them with the might as
of a deity' " and so on, and so on. " 'By the simple exercise of our will we can exert a power for good
practically unbounded' " .(Conrad, 92)" Kurtz believes he is superior to the Africans and he has the
right to take whatever he wants by exerting power towards them. His attitude towards the Africans

What Is Achebe's Inability To Understand Conrad?
Achebe's Inability to Understand Conrad's Heart of Darkness
A fierce Achebe radically condemns Conrad as "a thoroughgoing racist" in his article, arguing that
Heart of Darkness is not a piece of great literature, but "an offensive and deplorable book" (Achebe
1791). He structures his argument around a few central ideas, such as the grotesque perception of
the Africans by the protagonist, the antinomy between the Thames and Congo River, the lack of
historical fact, and the parallel between the African and the European women, among others.
Achebe misinterprets Conrad's work, and exhibits opacity to the narrative's message. He seems to
purport, as any reader, a subjective interpretative reading of Conrad's book, with the peculiarity ...
Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The reader has another type of anxiety than the one mentioned by Achebe: s/he anxiously waits to
see if any truly significant contact with Africa, its people, or its culture occurs throughout the book.
Instead, the phrase "Nowhere did we stop long enough to get a particularized impression," is
emblematic, and indicative that this contact does not, and probably will not happen (Conrad 19).
Conrad assumes no task of presenting a good, objective or factual image of Africa, as Achebe would
prefer; instead he critically exposes a refraction of this image in the European white middle class
tainted perception. Indeed, many "normal readers," whom Achebe credits to be "well armed to
detect and resist" underhand activity from the part of a writer, read into the novel its universal
psychological implications that override Africanness or Europeanness. Marlow remains insulated
from any real contact with the local culture; his stuck–to–the–river journey serves to preserve a
confused and contemplative attitude in him, rather than an involved state of mind. His African
experience comprises very little fact, proves mostly sensorial, observant and rather interested in
itself as an object of study than in the surroundings. Describing the Other's eyes or looking into
them serves just as a mirror. Legend has it that Narcissus contemplated his beauty in the lake daily,
and ended up drowning in it. After his death, jealous nymphs came and whined to the lake, his
closest

Joseph Conrad's novella The Heart of Darkness has been under controversy because of racial
interpretations. The race factor in this novel has made some scholars and professors question the
function the novella has in the classroom. However, Joseph Conrad had another view when writing
the novel; to demonstrate how prejudice and dehumanizing the European culture is towards African
Americans and their culture during this time period. European's superior authority over African
Americans is portrayed through the background of the text, use of the language and the opinion's on
vermilicitude. The novella focuses on the negative aspect of the European culture, not the African
culture and therefore should be in taught in school. The text was published in the late nineteenth
century, the brink of imperialism. The time period relays an educational aspect to the novella.
Critics, such as Chinua Achebe, stand firmly behind their belief that Conrad reveals "the
preposterous and perverse arrogance" "of one petty European mind," (Achebe 38). But that is the
point; to demonstrate the narrow minded European culture during imperialism. Marlow is told that
in this journey to Africa, he was to civilize the natives from their "horrid ways" (Conrad 14).
Describing African Americans as horrid illustrates that during the "abolitionist movements of the
1800s" "many Europeans" such as Marlow's aunt and , "even th[ose] [abolitionist]", "saw the
Africans as a less evolved people" (Moss and

Heart of Darkness
Joseph Conrad was born on December 3, 1857 and educated primarily in Poland. After a career at
sea in the French and British waters, he wrote short stories and books like Lord Jim, Heart of
Darkness and The Secret Agent. His short stories and books were mostly about his experiences in
remote places with an interest in the dark side of human nature. (The Editors of Encyclopædia).
Conrad was first taught by his father, but eventually he was placed in the private schooling. When
he was 16 he left Poland and traveled to the port city of Marseilles in France, where he started his
sailor career. After being on the sea for many years, Conrad finally decided to stay on land for some
time. In 1896 he married Jessie Emmeline George and they had two sons.
Conrad began to write his short stories and books in 1895. The publication of his first book,
Almayer 's Folly, an adventure tale set in the Borneo jungles. (Goodreads). Before the new century
he wrote two of his most famous books. Lord Jim story is about an outcast young sailor who comes
to terms with his past acts of cowardice and eventually becomes the leader of a small South Seas
country. (online–literature). Heart of Darkness is British man 's journey deep into the Congo of
Africa, where he encounters the cruel and mysterious Kurtz, a European trader who has established
himself as a ruler of the native people there.
Conrad continued as an author and published more books such as Nostromo and The Secret Agent.

Joseph Conrad Critical Lens
Joseph Conrad, The Heart of Darkness Critical Lens Essay
Racism, a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial
differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. ("Racism."Merriam–Webster)
Prejudice, an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their
supposed characteristics. ("Prejudice."Merriam–Webster)
Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness perpetuates distinctiveness between black and white, primitive
and civilized, ignorance and tradition, kinship and dissimilar. Often, Conrad portrays the Congo as a
foil to Europe and the rest of civilization, implying that Africa is the "other" or lesser. Throughout
the book, Africa is presented as a ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Another mine on the cliff went off, followed by a slight shudder of the soil under my feet. The work
was going on. The work! And this was the place where some of the helpers had withdrawn to die.
They were dying slowly–it was very clear. They were not enemies, they were not criminals, they
were nothing earthly now nothing but black shadows of disease and starvation, lying confusedly in
the greenish gloom...the legality of time contracts, lost in uncongenial surroundings, fed on
unfamiliar food, they sickened, became inefficient, and were then allowed to crawl away and rest.
These moribund shapes were free as air–and nearly as thin." Whenever referring to the natives,
Marlow has a sort of sympathy for their conditions yet invalidates the natives for the very same
conditions amongst them, he cannot see them as equal because to him the natives are weakened and
the severity of their weakness enforces their being animal like unlike his first encounter with the
colonizers and white

Who Is Joseph Conrad Uncivilized
Through contemplation of Joseph Conrad's complex descriptions and ideas of life in Africa, or the
heart of darkness, it can be established that he is, in fact, not racist. Conrad was simply expressing
the dark, uncivilized manners of the African people to contrast the light European hoi polloi and the
unfair dehumanization of slaves in his time period. The African people that Conrad viewed as
uncivilized could be considered an act of racism; however, it is also logical to believe that he was
merely trying to demonstrate the common, effete opinion among Europeans of this time frame. This
would also explain Conrad's complex framed narrative as he didn't want to be viewed as racist. His
framed narrative could demonstrate the confusion he had ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net
...
He was not racist, but it could be concluded that Conrad was generally not a fan of humanity; "It
was very simple, and at the end of that moving appeal to every altruistic sentiment it blazed at you,
luminous and terrifying like a flash of lightning in a serene sky: 'Exterminate all the brutes!'"
(Conrad 407). At the surface, this quote seems to be a cry for the "brutes" or Africans to be
destroyed, yet it could also be assumed that Conrad is absolutely tired of the darkness of mankind in
general. Ellie Arielle addresses this quotation, as well, by saying; "Although Kurtz is implying that
the people and the situation in the Congo are in need of some considerable control and that the only
solution he sees is extermination, what Marlow realizes is that humanity is not the cause of the
problem and that the Africans are not the heart of darkness, but that greed and lust for economic
freedom is." (Arielle) The topic of economic freedom appears frequently throughout the novella
especially with the arrival of the ribald Eldorado Exploring Expedition. It is clear that the European
men are oblivious to their surroundings and only interested in money and this is another way for
Conrad to show how humanity has let him down. One critic explains that Heart of Darkness offers
an, "analysis

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Heart of Darkness is a novel written by Joseph Conrad. The setting of the book is in Belgian Congo,
which was the most infamous European colony in Africa. This is a story about the protagonist
Marlow's journey to self discovery, and his experiences in Congo. Conrad's story explores the
colonialism period in Africa to demonstrate Marlow's struggles. Along the way, he faces insanity,
death, his fear of failure, and cultural contamination as he makes his was to the inner station. Conrad
through the protagonist and antagonist life explores European imperialism and its effects to
Africans. Marlow is the protagonist in the Heart of Darkness. He is depicted as independent–
minded, idealistic, and skeptical about the people around him. Marlow is the narrative teller in the
Heart of Darkness who uses his skills to be able to draw the audience to his tale. Marlow tells of his
experience and the European prejudices he encountered around the world and this had has made
skeptical about imperialism. Marlow has been defeated by the world, and this makes him weary,
cynical, and skeptical about everything. Marlow tells the story of Kurtz, and is portrayed by the
author as a frequent story teller because he narrates in the majority of the book. The author paints
him as a selfish and steady character. This can be seen whereby while in the outer station, he saw a
group of Africans chained together and simply watched them without any compassion. He never felt
pity for them but just walked

Who Is Conrad Considered A Racist?
Racism was international; again, it was just a way of life. In An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's
Heart of Darkness Conrad was considered a racist because of his ideas of he could not image a
world where he lived side by side to any other different characteristic. Even John McClure identifies
Conrad's way of thinking "to subvert racist stereotypes of subject's people as the "often disguised
social project of [his] serious colonial fiction." (McClure, p5). Later in Cultures and Imperialism,
the author furthermore tells of Conrad's prejudice against other cultures. Which he is not wrong; he
is a man who writes from a Western point of view, "all Conrad can see is a world dominated by the
Atlantic West (majority race being white)... He could

The novella 'Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad, published in 1899 is considered to be one of the
most influential texts of its time. Although on the surface it seems as though Conrad is praising the
white people, with further analysis it is seen that he is being ironic, and is in fact criticising the way
they try to civilise the people who do not want to be civilised. English Professor Mark Dintenfass
describes Heart of Darkness as: "You can see Heart of Darkness as a depiction of, and an attack
upon, colonialism in general, and, more specifically, the particular brutal form colonialism took in
the Belgian Congo." Throughout the text Conrad uses both the narration of the main character
Marlow, characterisation and irony to criticise the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Colonisation is defined by the Merriam–Webster dictionary as: 'to take control of (an area) and send
people to live there.' Marlow now understands that the white Europeans are doing what they think is
right, but do not think of the people they are doing it to. He realises that that the strength and
superiority that the white Europeans have is purely based on the way they treat the natives as being
weaker than them. Marlow is also showing the reader that what the Europeans call 'colonisation' is
truly just robbery and murder. They are taking the resources from the native's country and are not
giving them anything worthy back. They are essentially robbing them and using violence and brutal
force to do it. They treat the natives as slaves and torture and kill them if they do not to the 'right'
thing. This is how they get their respect, and this is how they show them that they are superior to
them. They use force to try and appear better than the natives. Marlow realises this and during his
narration of the novel he criticises the society and the colonisation that was happening. Conrad uses
Marlow to show the reader his negative relationship with the society of that time. It is shown that he
thinks the colonisation of the natives is morally wrong and is just murder and robbery with pride
attached to it.
Using Marlow made it easier for Conrad to show the

Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad is a well–known writer from the late 19th century mostly known
for writing short novels. In his most praised work, Heart of Darkness, he creates a story based
around his own personal adventure on the African continent told by a fictional character: Marlow.
Marlow's aunt got him a job with a corporation only referred to in the book as "The Company". He
soon is packed and is on a ship to West Africa. He is assigned to operate a ferry running up and
down a river carrying goods and people where they need to be. As Marlow travels the river he hears
greater and more retched things about a man named Kurtz, whom he eventually meets. He becomes
fascinated by this Kurtz character and becomes obsessed with finding out as much as he can about
him.
A character in a story "sticks with us long after we have forgotten the details of what, where, and
how" (Mays 123). In Heart of Darkness the reader has the rare opportunity to get to know a
character who is only explored through the eyes of other characters in the story so that when we do
finally meet Kurtz in the final pages of the story, the reader has preconceived ideas about who this
man is and what he represents. Characterization of Kurtz can be explored through the words of
characters like the bricklayer and the Russian, the thoughts of Kurtz developed in the mind of
Marlow, and after his death, the conversation between Kurtz's intended and Marlow about his
impact on those around him. When Marlow

The Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is a story that takes place in the early 1890s and presents
us with an odyssey of a traveler known as Marlow who confronts the dangers of the Congo jungle
while also witnessing the wicked, inhumane treatment of the African natives. In the story, Marlow
represents Joseph Conrad who had actually traveled up the Congo in 1890 and witnessed the
European exploitation of the African natives firsthand. In the Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad
exposes the inhumanity of European exploitation of Africa and its people while also allowing us to
understand how complex and immoral humans can be when pursuing greed and power. The Heart of
Darkness by Joseph Conrad gives us a good understanding of the real life issues that affected the
Congo Independent State in the 1890s which included European imperialism, free market ivory
trade, and many European atrocities against the African natives.
European imperialism was forced on the Congo Independent State by King Leopold II. "In aspiring
to become a modern–day pharaoh, King Leopold began his African venture in September 1876"
(Nzongola–Ntalaja 38). King Leopold II was believed to be a philanthropist who was eager to bring
western civilization, commerce, and Christianity to the African natives. "Christian missionary work
helped, in the logic of colonialism, to undermine African cultural autonomy, and helped to promote
colonial domination" (Nzongola–Ntalaja 39). Truly, King Leopold II of Belgium aspired for

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Human is a term associated with many connotations. Humans encase the ability to stick to their
morals in a time when most would differ on the easier path. When humans chose to keep their own
morals it demonstrates flexibility as well as willingness to take risks. These ideas web together
because people take a risk keeping to their own morals and therefore exhibit the ability to adapt to
any situation. Flexibility is a characteristic that most people default to in order to seek a sense of
comfort. Humans try their best to be comfortable in a situation because comfort and success are
believed to be proportional. Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, could imply that being human
means to display morality, flexibility towards all situations, and willingness to take risks. Morality is
a rare and challenging trait for humans to posses because often alternate sources influences ones
decisions. Humans often struggle with finding a balance between doing what they believe is right
and not giving in to the beliefs of others. They want to others to be accepting of them but they also
want to fulfill what they believe is right. Marlow, the protagonist, embodies morality through
accepting the natives which is against the social standards set in traditional Western culture. The
natives are being described as an "insoluble mystery" suggesting that they are unexplainable as well
as a subject that is not worth understanding (36). Marlow counteracts this belief and tries to learn
more about

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