Whether you’re a fan of the book, you’ll find scholarly essays on the heart of Darkness an insightful read. These papers will give you a different perspective on the novella and explore how it reflects the times in which we live. You’ll also learn about the differences between this novel and other works by Edgar Allan Poe, as well as why some of the stories and characters are so interesting.
Conclusion
Throughout the years, Heart of Darkness has been analyzed by several essay writer. Some have used the novella to discuss racism, while others have focused on the depiction of the African natives. However, the work continues to be a popular source of literature.
The novella, written by Joseph Conrad, is set in colonial Africa. The story explores how Europeans exploited natural resources and forged alliances with strategic business partners. It is a critique of colonialism and racism. However, it also examines the horrors of imperialism.
The author of Heart of Darkness was inspired by his travels through Africa. He worked for a Belgian ivory trading company and traveled the Congo River. He was deeply affected by human depravity in the region. He drew his inspiration for Heart of Darkness from his travel journals.
Conrad’s novella is a semiautobiographical work with many Victorian sensibility elements. It is also a precursor to modernist literature.
Changing perspective
Changing perspective on Heart of Darkness, the semiautobiographical novel by Joseph Conrad, has been a source of much controversy. It has been criticized by many for its racist message and for how it portrays native Africans. However, Heart of Darkness is a complex and thought-provoking work that encourages readers to form conclusions.
The story revolves around an English seaman, Charlie Marlow, tasked with captaining a river steamer. Marlow begins his journey in a “sepulchral city” in Europe. There, he hears of a Belgian company employee named Kurtz. Kurtz is stationed deep in the interior of the Congo. The story opens with a narrator who describes a sun setting over the river port.
The narrator is not completely satisfied with the state of affairs. He speculates on what may be the true purpose of this voyage. He also mentions the knights of the nation. The first narrator is more of an insight into European attitudes than an actual answer.
The symbolic use of ivory
The symbolism of Ivory in the heart of Darkness is a significant theme throughout the novel. Joseph Conrad buy thesis like the symbol in various ways to illustrate his points. Often, he uses vague descriptions that leave the reader to fill in the details.
Like the color black, Ivory has been used for various purposes at various times and locations. But, unfortunately, it is a color that signifies life, death, and the evils of savagery.
Symbols are not always apparent, but their meanings are evident if we know how to interpret them. For example, the Congo is one of the most important symbols in this story.
The Congo is the only way to get to the ivory center. It is also the name of an important character. This river symbolizes life and movement towards a goal. The river is also a symbol of separation from the natives.
The fog is another important symbol in the novel. It symbolizes European civilization and represents the dominant evil in the story.
Contradictions in the novella
Despite its short length, Heart of Darkness contains a lot of contradictions. For example, the novella explores the hypocrisy of imperialism. In addition, it presents troubling race issues. Various critics have analyzed the book. Some have criticized Conrad’s racism, while others have argued that the author intended to expose racism.
One way to examine Heart of Darkness is to analyze the text’s narrative structure. The reader is constantly forced to confront the dichotomy between the two evils in the story’s structure. The narrator is forced to choose between being a good person and being an evil person.
As the ship travels through torture, cruelty, and near-slavery scenes, Marlow is confronted with these contradictory aspects of the narrative. Ultimately, Marlow has to decide whether he is an evil person or a good person.
In the text, Conrad uses a technique called comparison and contradiction. He describes the helmsman’s actions as “ruthless” and “bumbling” and the black woman’s as “primitive” and “primitive.” He writes that she represents the taboo of miscegenation. He also describes the late helmsman’s actions as being “savage.”
Heart of Darkness explores the ambiguities and contradictions of imperialism—the novella questions how European imperialism is a legitimate source of power. The novella challenges the self-expanding nature of capitalism.