Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

      Heart of darkness is a novella written by Joseph Conrad and it was published in 1899. The main themes of the novella is about colonialism. The character of Kurtz mainly remains in the center.  

     The narrator of the novella is Marlow. Who tells the whole story.  It criticises the so called idea of civilization.  For that writer has used the symbols of river Thames and Congo. 
       It seems that they are so civilized but it is not so,  as we have seen in the novel that how cruel and cunning Kurtz is.  At the end we can see the situation becomes that much worst that he couldn't get out from the "station." The last words of Kurtz suggest a deep meaning..." The Horror,  The Horror! 

Major Themes 

Here’s a brief explanation of each theme from Heart of Darkness with examples:

1. Alienation and Loneliness: Marlow’s journey into the Congo leads to his emotional and physical isolation. He feels cut off from both his fellow Europeans and the indigenous people, which represents the alienation of the modern individual. Kurtz, at the end of his life, is completely isolated both physically and mentally, lost in his own madness.

2. Deception: The European mission in Africa is presented as a noble endeavor to bring civilization to the "savages," but this is a lie. The real aim is exploitation for profit. Kurtz himself deceives others by promising ideals of progress while engaging in brutal and savage acts.

3. Doubt and Ambiguity: Marlow constantly questions the meaning of his journey and the truth about Kurtz. Conrad’s narrative style, with its layers of stories within stories, creates ambiguity. The novel never fully reveals the truth about what Kurtz has done or the true nature of the "darkness" Marlow encounters.

4. Race and Racism: The novel reflects the racist attitudes of European colonizers, who view the African people as inferior and dehumanized. However, it also critiques this racism by highlighting the brutal exploitation of the Africans, showing that the supposed "civilized" Europeans are the true savages.

5. Order and Disorder: The European presence in Africa, symbolizing order and civilization, quickly unravels into chaos. The further Marlow travels into the jungle, the more he encounters disorder, both in the environment and within human nature, exemplified by Kurtz’s descent into madness.

6. Sanity and Insanity: The Congo serves as a metaphorical test of sanity, where the darkness of the jungle and the moral corruption of colonialism drive people mad. Kurtz embodies the ultimate loss of sanity, becoming unhinged in the lawless wilderness, with his infamous final words, “The horror! The horror!”

7. Duty and Responsibility: Marlow initially feels a sense of duty to fulfill his role as a sailor and bring Kurtz back. However, the novel questions the meaning of duty in the face of moral corruption, as Marlow becomes complicit in the horrors of colonialism despite his growing disillusionment.

8. Violence and Cruelty: The violence and cruelty of European colonialism are central to the novel. The exploitation and brutal treatment of the African people, including the atrocities committed by Kurtz, reveal the dark heart of European imperialism under the guise of civilization.

Each of these themes reinforces the novel’s exploration of the dark side of human nature and the moral corruption at the heart of colonialism.

Online Test 

Heart of Darkness  (Click on it)

Thinking Activity 

1. Explain the title Heart of Darkness in your own words. 

2. What is your understanding of the themes of alienation and loneliness? 

 

Works Cited 

ChatGPT. "Themes in Heart of Darkness." OpenAI, 19 Sept. 2024.