Novella Adventure

Heart of Darkness
Author Year Published Original Language
Joseph Conrad 1899 English

MAIN CHARACTERS

Journey Set in 1890 at the height of European colonialism, Heart of

Darkness tells the story of Marlow and his voyage through the
Into Darkness Congo as a riverboat commander. As he penetrates deeper into
the center of the Congo, he's unprepared for the brutality he
sees and becomes obsessed with finding an evasive,
charismatic ivory trader named Kurtz.

Marlow
Protagonist, pilots
the steamboat

Kurtz Manager
Evasive manager Contemptible manager
of the Inner Station of the Central Station

The Russian The Jungle Helmsman

Youthful harlequin-like Ever-present antagonist Dependable African for
figure, enchanted by Kurtz whom Marlow gains respect

Themes

Greed & Imperialism

While the stated goal of European
colonization is to civilize native
people, it is truly after resources.
Hypocrisy & Indifference
The Company believes Kurtz's
methods excessively brutal, yet
overlooks its own ruthlessness.

Eloquence vs. Depravity

Kurtz's eloquence nearly justifies his
reputation as a great man in spite of
his depravity.

Symbols
Heart of Darkness
Drums Knitting Old
by the Numbers
Woman
Unnerving vitality of
native life Placid detachment
from cruelty
Grisly Fence 9
Standing
indifference to Age at which
calculated depravity Conrad decided
he'd someday visit
Africa

Author 32
Conrad's age when
The Polish-born Conrad served 16 he sailed up the
years in the British merchant navy. His Congo
novella is thought to draw on details
from a journal he kept while piloting a
steamboat up the Congo River, where 1979
he experienced the ruthless depravity
of European colonization. Release of film
Apocalypse Now,
which updates the
setting to the
Vietnam War
JOSEPH CONRAD
1857-1924

he horror! The horror!

Kurtz, Part III

Sources: Academia.edu, Embassy of the Republic of Congo,

Encyclopedia Britannica, Ivory's Ghosts, The Joseph Conrad
Periodical Archive, Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature,
Stockton University

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