Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

Written by Joseph Conrad, the “Heart of Darkness” stands as one of the best British novels of all times. Published in 1902, the story is set in the center of what is known as the ‘dark continent’. The book, written in poetic style, is a deep study of human psychology and the darkness that emerges from tyrannical power. Many critics have categorized it as a racist literature for setting Africa as a representative of darkness and evil. We see the story through the eyes of the protagonist, Marlow who tells his fellow passengers about the great deal of time he had spent in Africa while sailing through Thames. He was called upon to pilot a trip down the river Congo in search of an ivory agent Kurtz who had disappeared without a trace. He goes to Congo with a vision to civilize the savage cannibals but as he explores the ‘dark’ land he discovers the corruption and bestiality and the real cannibals. Kurtz, who appears very late in the story has a great influence over the protagonist. In the course of his stay in Congo Kurtz is transformed from a ‘civilized’ European to something far more frightening.
Conrad has used symbolism as the central theme of the novel. The river symbolizes heart, which just like human spirit always moving and unpredictable. Darkness represents evil and dread as well as “color of skin”. The style of Conrad’s writing (narrator telling the story of another man telling his story) helps the reader to experience the darkness himself and get a closer look at Marlow’s Journey. Conrad has openly opposed imperialism when he says-“The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion and a slightly flatter nose than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much”. The driving force behind the novel might be the sense of guilt as Conrad worked six months in Congo in 1980. Millions of Congolese were slaughtered to generate revenue for Belgian king Leopold II.
This musical metaphor has many levels of interpretations-from racist to attack against colonialism to largely psychological. Someone can look at it as a tale of human weakness against wilderness. According to me this is a great psychoanalysis of human mind who find its roots in savagery. The animal lies within us. All it takes to wake it up is a little push…

-Abhishek Raj