The heart of Darkness--- a mini-review

Joseph Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’ is simply a rework of his own experiences in Congo, Africa. This novella explores the ‘darkness’ of colonization in Congo and the ‘darkness’ within every human being for committing dreadful crimes. In this novella Conrad writes about his own experiences in Congo through Charles Marlow’s character.
("Eight and a half years before writing the book, Conrad had gone to serve as the captain of a Congo steamer. On arriving in the Congo, he found his steamer damaged and under repair. He became ill and returned to Europe before serving as captain."
SOURCE - Internet)

This story of darkness is conveyed through a narrative within a narrative. Thus there are two narrators in the story. The novella begins with an unnamed narrator describing five men, probably colleagues. The main story follows Marlow as he recounts his Congolese adventure to a group of men aboard a ship anchored in the Thames. It is noteworthy that Marlow recounts his adventures in Congo from dusk till late night. The story concludes with showcase of how Marlow’s story had led to immense darkness (the darkening of sky).

Another major and cherished character in the novella is that of Kurtz. Through Kurtz character, Marlow explores the darkness or evil lurking in the so called ‘civilized’ (or white) people. Kurtz embodies everything that is below the human nature. His character is a showcase of the dual nature of the human beings. This is the basic theme of the novella. The idea that the Romans conquered the savage Britons parallels Conrad's tale of the Belgians conquering the savage Africans. Darkness thus lurks behind every civilized human being.

“He cried in a whisper at some image, at some vision—he cried out twice, a cry that was no more than a breath—‘The horror! The horror!’ ”
Kurtz last words “The horror! The horror!” are interpreted by Marlow as reflection of his own life. This quote from the heart of darkness is quite famous. It is used by T.S. Elliot as an epigraph.

I conclude by saying that this dark novella seems to have pushed the idea of darkness behind the human nature a little too far.

Note: I was supposed to discuss this novel and not write a review of it.

Manvar Apurva
2009ch70141