HOD light and darkness imagery

[hewhoneedshelp]

does anyone know the significance and development of the light and dark imagery in the Heart of Darkness? i'm not sure and can't remember examples. thanks.

[Logos]

Maybe you could start by searching the online etext of HOD (http://www.online-literature.com/conrad/heart_of_darkness/) for words such as black, dark, shadow, murky etc. that can direct you to scenes/context.

[Tuesday]

The first thing you should take into account is that there is no absolutely clear definition of what the "Heart of Darkness" really is. As I already wrote in a different thread, most people of course see it as a metaphor for the African jungle. But judging from Marlow's description in the beginning, London or England in general could also be meant. As could be Kurtz himself. Furthermore darkness may also be understood as something that robs people of the ability to see clearly.

Also very important of course is the ivory: Though it is white, it is in fact the very thing responsible for most of the "dark acts" commited by the people who are willing to murder others just to get it. Or think of how Marlow calls Brussels "whited sepulchre"...or how Kurtz's skin is described as having the colour of ivory.

It's all very ambiguous and open for interpretation. I hope I could help you to get started, this is quite an interesting topic really :)

[emb1288]

The usual meanings of light and darkness are reversed in this novel. Instead of white and light representing positive aspects, they represent evil. The white men come to Africa in search of ivory. In the process they destroy the natives and their culture. Negative references to white and light are continuously made throughout the novel. When Marlow arrives at the "grove of death" he finds a native with a "white worsted" tied around his neck. This is symbolic of the white men strangling the natives. In addition, darkness is also reversed. Rather than representing something sinister, darkness and black represent innocence and good.