Treatment of Women
Joseph Conrad
(1857-1924) wrote Heart of Darkness as his own experience of
life, particularly experience gained during his visit to Congo in 1890. The
autobiographical novel represents the most crucial aspects of the modern
society- the fear and disillusionment of the modern western man in the world.
The novel deals with
multiple themes. Heart of Darkness is not without historical perspective. For
Conrad, the expedition to the Congo became a journey within a journey through
darkness into the self. In 1889, the
Congo was of universal interest because of various economic speculations.
Conrad projects this tendency through the description of expedition. It is
through fictitious character Marlow, he speaks to readers. It may therefore be
said that like ‘Nelly Dean in Wuthering Heights’ Marlow is another self of
Conrad through which he examines the savage exploitation of Congo natives.
The most prominent
theme is theme of imperialism. Conrad gives a truthful account of the
conditions in which the savages of the Congo lived under the imperialist of
white man. The theme of isolation is another important aspect of novel. Marlow
is part of the group, but is isolated. He sits cross-legged with the ascetic
aspect like Buddha. This description makes the reader feel that it is an
account of Marlow’s spiritual journey to the inner station. As Marlow
approaches Kurtz, his isolation is heightened when he remarks, Kurtz is a
remarkable man. The pilgrims also look upon Marlow with disfavour and
after the death of Kurtz he is completely cut-off from the party aboard the
steamer.
Another theme is
reality versus dream. On his voyage, Marlow observes closely the sights on the
coast and falls in a meditative mood. The sights which he witness now and those
which he beholds subsequently appear to him to be half real and half unreal.
The reality of these sights became the basic condition of Marlow’s experiences.
Also, the theme can be interpreted on a universal level. This universality can
be seen in the author’s attempt to link Thames and Congo, Africa and Europe,
the ancient Romans and the latter day British streets in Brussels and mud-paths
in the heart of wilderness.
Heart of
Darkness is a highly charged story of great psychological as well as
literal interest. Marlow gives us a glimpse of the minds of several characters-
accountant, manager, brick maker etc. He says of human mind,
The mind of man is capable of anything- because
everything is in it, all the past as well as all the future.
Marlow skilfully and
effectively brings to our notice Kurtz’s passion for ivory, for power,
influence over the savages, and love for his ‘Intended’ and so on. Also, there
are several philosophical observations on the novel. In the beginning of the
journey Marlow remarks that instead of going to the centre of the continent, he
was about to set off for the centre of Earth. However, a more philosophical
remark comes when he says that at one point in the course of his experience, he
found it difficult to distinguish between reality and dream.
In point of
characterization Heart of Darkness is no less important. Men like
Marlow and Kurtz are among character portraits. Marlow’s power of observation,
his capacity for reflection and philosophical commentary, simply amaze us and
we begin to feel that we are ourselves travelling in his company. Likewise,
Kurtz is an astonishing personality with whom we become personally acquainted.
He is conspicuous on account of his passion for Ivory, his love for his fiancé
and his power over savage Africans.
Conrad’s characters are always divided selves,
fighting within themselves- a fight between appearance and reality, between the
face and its mask, between the soul and its shadow. The fight is to get rid of
loneliness, the spiritual isolation a man is put to. The fight is to get
happiness, real freedom.
Besides these, there
are minor characters that are also marvelously drawn. The scheming manager,
the inquisitive brick maker, the Russian who looks like a harlequin and Kurtz’s
Intended- the girl who is loved by him; all these minor characters leave a
lasting impression upon our minds.
Conrad works as an
impressionist; he moves as a psychologist and he writes as a realist.
Conrad’s plots are
realistic and create a sense of depth and reality to characters. In Heart
of Darkness plot is loosely constructed, though full of suspense and
interest. He presented the sea life and tropical areas of Congo through the
colour of imagination.
Heart of Darkness
is a magnificent symbolic novel. The very title is symbolic. Congo- a dark
country is symbolic of depths of human mind and consciousness. The women
knitting wool symbolizes fates of ancient classical mythology. Mr. Kurtz
symbolizes modern western man’s lust for power and pelf. The river Thames and
Congo symbolizes the flow of civilization and culture from England to Africa.
The city of London symbolizes heart of light, just as Congo symbolizes dark
heart of ignorance and barbarism.
Conrad’s imagery is
also remarkable in the novel. On one side there are marble buildings, steam
ships and rail road’s; on the other there is rank vegetation and stock-piled
ivory. Commercial plan is contrasted with discriminate greed. Also, there is
imagery in the sights which Marlow witness on landing in Congo like decaying
machinery, rusty rails, boiler lying uselessly on the grass etc. This imagery
reminds us of the Dante’s famous poem The Divine Comedy.
Thus, Conrad’s Heart
of Darkness is a remarkable and fascinating work. It is full of details
that imprint seriousness and misery upon the minds of the readers. Though it is
a depressing novel but certainly not tragic. There are pessimistic touches in
the narrative.
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