What is the main point of Heart of Darkness?

What is the main point of Heart of Darkness?

Heart of Darkness explores the issues surrounding imperialism in complicated ways. As Marlow travels from the Outer Station to the Central Station and finally up the river to the Inner Station, he encounters scenes of torture, cruelty, and near-slavery.

What is the lesson in Heart of Darkness?

The novella, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad has a strong theme of morality. Conrad’s goal using morality is moral confusion. The main character Charlie Marlow sets out on a journey with the European Ivory Trade to Africa. During this journey he discovers a dark dilemma of moral ethics.

What does the heart of darkness symbolize?

The literal meaning of the phrase “heart of darkness” is the inmost region of the dry country known as Congo; but symbolically it means the inmost region of a man’s mind or soul. So the incursion into the heart of darkness also means a descent by Marlow into the depths of his own soul.

What is the summary of the heart of darkness?

Heart of Darkness centers around Marlow, an introspective sailor, and his journey up the Congo River to meet Kurtz, reputed to be an idealistic man of great abilities. Marlow takes a job as a riverboat captain with the Company, a Belgian concern organized to trade in the Congo.

What are the major themes of Heart of Darkness?

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is a fascinating tale of a journey down the Congo River during the times of colonialism. Its themes of imperialism, greed, hypocrisy, uncertainty, racism, isolation, sanity, and morality make it one of the most important books of the 20th century.

What is the central question of Heart of Darkness?

The central question in “Heart of Darkness” is, “What is the effect of imperialism on both groups?” , and the book gives several answers that help the reader understand the work as a whole. The answer to “what is the effect of imperialism” on the victimized group is explained in the novel as suffering.

Why is Heart of Darkness taught?

In teaching Heart of Darkness, it is also important to provide historical context for the time period in which the novel is set: the Age of Imperialism, specifically the Scramble for Africa (1880-1900), during which Africa had been viciously divided and placed under the rule of various imperial powers.

What is the ending of Heart of Darkness?

Kurtz dies on the journey back up the river but not before revealing to Marlow the terrifying glimpse of human evil he’d been exposed to. “The horror! The horror!” he tells Marlow before dying. Marlow almost dies as well, but he makes it back to the sepulchral city to recuperate.

What is the irony in Heart of Darkness?

The greatest irony in Heart of Darkness is the transformation of Mr. Kurtz from a civilized whitemen into a savage. In his early life Mr. Kurtz was a man of sound sense and enlightened outlook upon life.

What does Marlow symbolize?

Another major figure of the novel is Marlow. He has a symbolic role in the novel. He symbolizes the spirit of adventure and a love of knowledge. He stands for the thoughtful observer of human life and a student of human nature.

What does darkness symbolize in Heart of Darkness?

Darkness becomes a symbol of hatred, fear and symbol of the power of evil. Marlow begins his story believing that these elements exists within the jungle, then with the natives and finally makes the realization that darkness lives within the heart of each man, even himself.

What is the conflict of Heart of Darkness?

Major conflict Both Marlow and Kurtz confront a conflict between their images of themselves as “civilized” Europeans and the temptation to abandon morality completely once they leave the context of European society.