Heart of Darkness was a complicated piece of literature to read. I cannot recall how I came about the book, only that a teacher recommended it to me long ago.
Written by Joseph Conrad sometime around 1888, the book is a gift of intelligence and serious thinking for those who wish to participate in brain exercising. Heart of Darkness was initially, as some of the great books are, regarded as an interesting tale and nothing more. It was initially part of a magazine (a modern example would perhaps be Hunter’s spats within Rolling Stone), it would eventually go through several revisions before being published as a book.
Critics initially regarded Conrad’s work as nothing more than arbitrary. As times changed, and the book was continually published through the times; the ideas and exploration of human nature by Conrad was eventually recognised as a great piece of literature which ranked amongst the greatest.
The version of the book I have, contained approximately 35-40 pages of an introduction to Joseph Conrad and Heart of Darkness. It is not absolutely critical to read this, however, it would provide the context within which Conrad wrote the book and the world he lived in at the time, which provided the influence on his writing in Heart of Darkness and later titles.
Robert Hampson’s Introduction and Notes are incredible in their volume, with references to many other texts which would provide both a better explanation of Joseph Conrad and his writings. It’s rather overwhelming to think that so many books have been written about one author, and so many books written about a text which was initially considered diverting at best. It is perhaps a testament to the growth of knowledge, but also to the strength of Conrad’s writing that it has lasted in popularity over a 100 years.
Familiarity with the local people incurs the wrath and disloyalty of his fellow white superiors
Trying to explain what Heart of Darkness is difficult, as it explores many themes of both society and of Conrad’s character, Marlow. The book was written with idea that the narrator being one character, with Marlow another and Kurtz the final character. Although there are other sub characters, these are three important ones. There is a fourth called the Company. References to the Company are done in such a manner to regard it as a character, and thus influential on the story told.
Marlow is a character who has always been interested in the sea and all it has to offer. To explore a world outside of where he is would be a dream come true. His dream, by chance, happens to come true and this leads Marlow on a journey of degradation, humility, personal conflict and death.
Joseph Conrad has written a deeply dark and disturbing book. Written at an important time in Imperialism, where the “heart of darkness” (the power of Imperialism and the shadow of control) approached most of the continents around the world. In this instance, it is Africa.
Marlow works with and for those that continue to apply their Imperialistic ideology around the world, yet Marlow does not agree with what he does, nor what his people are doing and continue to do. As he wonders through Africa, he witnesses the torture, civil fighting, debauchery and slavery of those that belong to a country now under occupation. The scenes disturb him, and make him question his own beliefs, and his own ideals.
the ideas and exploration of human nature by Conrad was eventually recognised as a great piece of literature
Conrad explores themes of imperialism and colonisation on the one hand, and on the other hand society’s prejudice and obsession with control and greed, while exploring Marlow’s own conflict with evil. What Heart of Darkness means, both as a title and as a book I would love to discuss with someone with a better understanding of it. It could be considered that Heart of Darkness refers to Kurtz’s own malicious intent and his violent methods, or perhaps the hypocrisy and greed of the people he works for, or Marlow’s own conflict with continuing to support who he works for, while at the same time being party to the atrocities that he beholds on his journey.
Kurtz can be seen as a very dark, and evil character. Regarded and respected by everyone, but equally feared. Kurtz is not shy of admitting his malice and ideals to control those around him through the act of fear and violence. The local people fear Kurtz, but obey his command. His interest lies in ivory, and he will go to any lengths to gain it. At the same time we learn he is both a gifted musician and a painter.
A reflection of his change in attitude possibly shown in his time in Africa, and the consummation he has grown accustomed to with Imperialism. Familiarity with the local people incurs the wrath and disloyalty of his fellow white superiors. This being Marlow’s interpretation of Kurtz, whereas others view him as a humanitarian and gifted individual. Marlow becomes unsure of who the real Kurtz is. Did he see what he wanted to see, or did he see what he chose to see?
For those not wishing to explore this book, the modern equivalent to Heart of Darkness would be Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now. I can see very obvious similarities between both, and where Coppola has taken elements of Conrad’s work and integrated it into a movie about war on Vietnam, which is, like Heart of Darkness an exploration of humanity, hypocrisy and personal conflict. In fact, if you were to change the Vietnam setting for Africa (where Heart of Darkness is based, but never mentioned), and you almost have a filmic version of Heart of Darkness.
To read Conrad’s work has been a privilege for me. To look into the mind of a character, and perhaps even to glimpse Conrad’s own despair in Marlow is both deeply haunting, and deeply personal. I look forward to exploring further works by Joseph Conrad, and can highly recommend this book to those who wish to widen their literary knowledge and writing.
Verdict: Apocalyptic account of a journey into a human hell.