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Heart of Darkness


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(1902)



This novel exposes the myth behind colonisation whilst exploring the three levels of darkness that the protagonist, Marlow, encounters--the darkness of the Congo wilderness, the darkness of the European's cruel treatment of the natives, and the unfathomable darkness within every human being for committing heinous acts of evil. Conrad himself was exposed to the brutality of European attitudes in the Congo when he worked as a captain of a steamboat on the Congo river. Conrad, as shown through this novella, was disgusted by the cruelty, futility, and lust for ivory. This is a profound, thought provoking novel that challenges the reader to question their own morals and values to 'The Horror' the novel exposes them to. ~ Submitted by Mikz Ramsing

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Recent Forum Posts on Heart of Darkness

some term papers on the heart of darkness and the threepenny opera by berlot brecht

I need the free link for downloading the movies of brecht , strindberg and e.m.Forster's works...thanks alot.

Posted By bebak at Tue 7 Apr 2009, 10:54 AM in Heart of Darkness || 0 Replies

Heart of Darkness-'The horror,the horror'

'The horror, the horror'. What is it? How does Marlow interpret it? thnx

Posted By itchy112233 at Mon 6 Apr 2009, 7:04 PM in Heart of Darkness || 5 Replies

Compare of futility of HoD and Apocalypse Now?

Hi, I have question that wants me to compare/contrast the theme of futility is represented in the film Apocalypse Now and the novel Heart of Darkness. Any help would be appreciated!

Posted By 8100 Power at Sun 7 Dec 2008, 3:31 PM in Heart of Darkness || 0 Replies

Carl Jung and Heart of Darkness.

Hello everyone, I was just wondering if anyone could find a connection between Carl Jung's archetypes and human nature in Heart of Darkness. I'm supposed to develop a thesis using this topic but have had no such luck. Thanks in advance if anyone can help ASAP. I plan on being an active poster, if that's any consolation :lol:. Thanks again.

Posted By No Offense at Tue 4 Nov 2008, 5:00 PM in Heart of Darkness || 1 Reply

plz. help :Need a quote/passage that illuminates the work as a whole

Hi. I was having trouble with the book and am having a hard time writing my paper. I was wondering if anyone can recommend a passage or quote in the book that illuminates the work as a whole. I have a lot of specific quotes or short passages in mind but can’t find one that I can use and relate to entire novel. Thank your before hand and any help will be greatly appreciated!!!

Posted By dean88 at Sun 26 Oct 2008, 7:45 PM in Heart of Darkness || 1 Reply

allusions to mythology in HOD? need HELP!!!!!!!!

hey who loved the book ?

Posted By starlight5 at Wed 24 Sep 2008, 9:22 PM in Heart of Darkness || 2 Replies

I'll be lucky if someone replies for once.

This is my essay prompt. IT's due Monday.:flare: "" In some works of literature, a character who appears briefly, or who does not appear at all, is a significant presence. Choose a novel/play of literary merit and write an essay in which you show ho such a character affects, action, theme or the development of other characters. Avoid plot summary" This is what I've done so far, and it's ****. It's only 325 words, I need 750. Why do I keep posting. Sorry.:sick: Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness is a dark and mysterious tale, with complex themes and characters. One of the major characters of this tale, Kurtz, does not appear until the near-end the story. Yet, he has a significant presence and manages to remain in the mind of the reader, by influencing the development of characters, through a conflict that involves a conspiracy within the Company that he is involved in, and also because of the many personalities he appears to have, which confuses the reader about his true identity. Marlow, the protagonist of Heart of Darkness, becomes most influenced by Kurtz through the various stories he hears about him, which eventually leads Marlow to be affiliated with him. Marlow first hears of Kurtz when speaking to the chief accountant, who refers to Kurtz as a ‘very remarkable man’ . During this time, Marlow’s interest in Kurtz grows, and from this point, continues to have conversations about him with several people – the general manager, the brick maker and the Russian trader. The general manager sees Kurtz as ‘an exceptional man, of the greatest importance to they Company” . He becomes obsessed with Kurtz, yet denies it: “now and then I would give some thought to Kurtz. I wasn’t very interested in him. No. Still, I was curious to see whether this man…would climb to the top after all and how he would set about his work there” . Kurtz is seen as someone unique, someone special, especially to the Russian trader. Through his words, it is obvious that the Russian is like a disciple of Kurtz. Although Kurtz once tried to shoot the Russian, the Russian did not leave him and stayed by his side. “I gave him the ivory. What did I care! But I didn’t clear out. No, no. I couldn’t leave him!” . Even when Marlow accuses Kurtz of being mad, the Russian denies it, which shows his dedication. Even after Kurtz’ death, Marlow ....it's ****...am I doing it right...how should I continue..I don't even know what I'm writing about. God, I'm **** at English. :bawling:

Posted By Castaway at Sat 6 Sep 2008, 6:38 PM in Heart of Darkness || 2 Replies

Literary Allusions in Heart of Darkness

Well, guys. I have to make a presentation on literary allusions in this little novella. I need 3 points. I have two so far, The Inferno is referred in the book and also there is a biblical reference to Satan/Mephistopheles. I need this quick. PLEASE HELP!

Posted By ansaaa at Mon 7 Jul 2008, 7:42 PM in Heart of Darkness || 2 Replies

Commentary on key passage - face off in the forest

I'm putting together an oral commentary for class, and I would really appreciate any help that can be given regarding the use of diction, imagery, symbolism, key concepts etc. that are presented by Joseph Conrad in this passage here: "I kept to the track though -- then stopped to listen. The night was very clear; a dark blue space, sparkling with dew and starlight, in which black things stood very still. I thought I could see a kind of motion ahead of me. I was strangely cocksure of everything that night. I actually left the track and ran in a wide semicircle (I verily believe chuckling to myself) so as to get in front of that stir, of that motion I had seen -- if indeed I had seen anything. I was circumventing Kurtz as though it had been a boyish game. "I came upon him, and, if he had not heard me coming, I would have fallen over him, too, but he got up in time. He rose, unsteady, long, pale, indistinct, like a vapour exhaled by the earth, and swayed slightly, misty and silent before me; while at my back the fires loomed between the trees, and the murmur of many voices issued from the forest. I had cut him off cleverly; but when actually confronting him I seemed to come to my senses, I saw the danger in its right proportion. It was by no means over yet. Suppose he began to shout? Though he could hardly stand, there was still plenty of vigour in his voice. 'Go away -- hide yourself,' he said, in that profound tone. It was very awful. I glanced back. We were within thirty yards from the nearest fire. A black figure stood up, strode on long black legs, waving long black arms, across the glow. It had horns -- antelope horns, I think -- on its head. Some sorcerer, some witch-man, no doubt: it looked fiendlike enough. 'Do you know what you are doing?' I whispered. 'Perfectly,' he answered, raising his voice for that single word: it sounded to me far off and yet loud, like a hail through a speaking-trumpet. 'If he makes a row we are lost,' I thought to myself. This clearly was not a case for fisticuffs, even apart from the very natural aversion I had to beat that Shadow -- this wandering and tormented thing. 'You will be lost,' I said -- 'utterly lost.' One gets sometimes such a flash of inspiration, you know. I did say the right thing, though indeed he could not have been more irretrievably lost than he was at this very moment, when the foundations of our intimacy were being laid -- to endure -- to endure -- even to the end -- even beyond." please and thank you :)

Posted By Roon at Sat 3 May 2008, 7:56 PM in Heart of Darkness || 1 Reply

Patterns of Threes in Heart of Darkness

i'm doin a research paper on patterns of three's in heart of darkness. Can anyone tell me the significance of the three chapters? and of the three women as well.

Posted By tbrown08 at Sun 20 Apr 2008, 6:29 PM in Heart of Darkness || 0 Replies

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