Blog post- Finishing the Heart of Darkness
Heart of darkness is a complex exploration of the beliefs people hold on what constitutes a barbarian versus a civilized society and the stance on colonialism and racism that was part and parcel of European imperialism. Heart of Darkness is a chilling tale of horror set in the Congo during the period of rapid colonial expansion in the 19th century, more than a century after its publication (1899), it remains one of the best Conrad’s finest work.
In chapter 3, Marlow meets with Kurtz becomes one of the most important scenes in this chapter. When they finally, Marlow realizes Kurtz has done evil with threat and violence to the natives and yet so brilliant as to get labor, ivory and even respect from the victims, despite his depravity. He dies with the words “The horror! The horror!”, which is exactly the summary of the darkness of human and the exploitation of the colonists who claimed to explore. Kurtz is the one who wants to bring the European civilization to the African originally. However, he is totally lost because of the unlimited desire of human being. We can see that the cause-and-effect is unavoidable. Kurtz is the best example to explain it. Kurtz was controlled by the darkness side in his heart and this makes him to kill people and do all the bad things. The retribution of Kurtz is dying from some weird diseases. “Kurtz-Kurtz-that means short in German-don’t it? Well he name was as true as everything else in his life- and death.” I like the way to explain Kurtz’s name from the book. The explanation of the name Kurtz shows the life of Kurtz and Kurtz had to bear the consequences if he did some bad things.
While I was reading this book, I keep thinking about why does this book named “Heart of Darkness”. I think the title contains double meanings. The first one is the poor geographical environment in African hinterland, and the second one is referring to the colonists in the dark.
Regard Marlow’s experience as an ivory transporter down the Congo River in Central Africa. The river is “a mighty big river, that you could see on the map, resembling an immense snake uncoiled, with its head in the sea, its body at rest curving afar over a vast country, and its tail lost in the depths of the land”. In the journey of Marlow, poor geographical environment can be seen anywhere. Poor geographical environment, laggard economy and culture, all will be set to the success of Kurtz, and later Marlow becomes obsessed with Kurtz.
In my opinion, the title of the novel “Heart of darkness”, refers to Mr. Kurtz apparently and to the colonialism of Europe in nature. Throughout his journey, he realized that Heart of Darkness has become a symbol of European colonialism. It’s just what the writer Conrad wants to reveal and criticize. Kurtz’s heart of darkness was presented by Marlow’s gradually changed emotions. At first, Marlow aspire to see the so-called first-class agent and very remarkable person, who oversees a very important trading-post. He could send in as much ivory as all the other agents put together. Finally, Kurtz manages to be the leader of the African natives and plunders ivory at all costs even by annihilating a whole tribe. Losing his health, his beloved finance and even his pure soul, he becomes a devil with heart of darkness.
In conclusion, one of the themes in “Heart of Darkness” is the hypocrisy of imperialism. Through this theme, Joseph Conrad wants to reveal the cruelty which is covered by civilization and the darkness which is hidden under the white skin.
- Why was Kurtz corrupted in the “heart of darkness” though he was recognized as an apostle of civilization?
- Why does Marlow tell lie to the woman in the final part of the book?
I agree that Kurtz becomes dark and evil is because of the unlimited desire of human being. While Kurtz considers him a conqueror over the wilderness, though in effect to the contrary, the wilderness occupies and takes the complete possession of him until his last breath. Kurtz does things with no ethics, he carries out the dark plan in the dark forest with his original desire to wipe out his victims. Deeply in his heart lurks the primal desire for temporary and mendacious fame, wealth, success and the appearance of strength.
For the second question, I think may be Marlow feels that if he tells Kurtz’s fiance the whole story about Kurtz’s death and his turn to evil, it is too much to explain. Marlow had to go all the way up the Congo River to discover what he does about Kurtz. Even if Marlow tells the story, she may not understand because she doesn’t have that experience.
For the last question, I find it interesting how Marlow lied and told the wife of Kurtz, that Kurtz mentioned her name as his last word before he died. But in the first chapter, Marlow tells us ” I hate, detest, and can’t bear a lie…” (23). Therefore, it questions me about Marlow, why would he lie to the wife if he despise lies. In my opinion I believe he lied to Kurtz wife because Kurtz wife seems to be an innocent woman who is proud of her husband. She went against her family for this guy. She mentions “Men looked up to him for his goodness shone in every act” (pg 71). For her Kurtz was a simple man, a person who helped other people. But for Marlow, well he knew what type of a man Kurtz was, therefore for the sake of Kurtz reputation, he lied. As he mentions ” I could not tell her. It would been too dark…” (pg72).