symbolism in heart of darkness essay

Symbolism of Nature in J. Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’ Essay (Critical Writing)

Introduction, the main ideas, symbolism in the novel.

Joseph Conrad used a combination of metaphors and symbols in his best short novel, “The Heart of Darkness”, to engross and intrigue his readers from its beginning till its conclusion (1995). As the title implies, Conrad used ‘darkness’ to portray the people involved, the nature around them, their ulterior motives, and the symbolic darkness takes different connotations that are not easily understood until the story progresses. The story, written in 1899, is about the struggle of two civilized Europeans, Marlow, and Kurtz after they ventured into the ‘darkness’ of uncivilized Africa. Conrad’s poetic language paints images in the reader’s mind, and the metaphors are deployed to animate these images and breathe life into them. The clever use of language and imagery are clear reflections of his linguistic acumen. “Heart of Darkness” is one of the excellent examples of Conrad’s ability to manipulate abstract language and vivid imagery to attain his goal to enthrall his readers.

The main ideas in the story are interspersed with myth, imagery, complex irony, and symbols to intrigue his readers. Heart of Darkness contemplates darkness, predominant in men’s hearts, and what they become after they leave civilization, through the characterization of Kurtz, an unscrupulous ivory trader in the dark African Congo. The cruelty of the human mind, which is capable of “anything,” is cleverly established with the statement “because everything is in it, all the past as well as all the future” (Conrad 1995. p.63). The artistic triads of poetry, painting, and music inherent in Conrad come to the fore from the narration of Kurtz’s painting “representing a woman draped and blindfolded carrying a lighted torch. The background was somber—almost black. The movement of the woman was stately, and the effect of the torchlight on the face was sinister.” (ibid p.79). Conrad uses the conceptual symbol of darkness as evil, debauchery, despondency, and ignorance and also use it for differentiating it with light, the source of strength, radiance, and wisdom.

The ‘Heart of Darkness’ is replete with symbolism, from the beginning till the end, and Conrad uses nature to symbolize every situation in the story. The narrator Marlow, through whom the story is delivered, is symbolized as an ‘idol’, a preaching Buddha (p.16) and his companion felt meditative and fit for ‘nothing but placid staring. For them the evening sky “without a speck, was a benign immensity of unstained light” and “in its curved and imperceptible fall, the sun sank low” (ibid p.16). To Marlow “light came out of this rive (river Thames) since—you say, Knights? Yes; but it is like a running blaze on a plain, like a flash of lightning in the clouds. … But darkness was here yesterday.”(ibid p.19) This symbolic reference to Roman aggression to England is comparable with the colonizer’s present effort to plunder Africa. Comprehensive use of myth to forewarn Marlow is expressed through the symbols of two women, knitting black wool on his first entering the Company’s office, in the ‘white sepulchered city’, to take up his new assignment. The phrase “whited sepulcher” derived from the Bible implies something beautiful outside but horror within. This whited sepulcher symbol with the Company’s Brussels office hints at cruelty, dehumanization, and even death unleashed on the natives of dark Africa from a White company intended to civilize them. For Marlow, the women evoked the image of “two guarding the door of Darkness, knitting black wool as for a warm pall, one introducing, introducing continually to the unknown, the other scrutinizing the cheery and fooling faces with unconcerned old eyes”(p.26). This prompts the readers to reminisce Greek mythology of three Goddesses Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos- known as The Fates, believed to represent the cyclic nature of human destiny: past, present, and future. The notion that human fate is spun around a person at birth by divine spinners, and each goddess took her turn in manipulating this thread, symbolizes three stages of life or experience that shall not be manipulated by an individual and Conrad emphasizes that neither Marlow nor Kurtz is excluded from this universal truth.

The comparison of burning up of a grass shed with “the earth had opened to let an avenging fire consume all that trash” and disappearance of the nigger accused of this incidence with “the wilderness without a sound took him into its bosom again” are unique examples of Conradian symbolism with nature and human inconsistency ( ibid p.44-45). The river Congo is compared with “resembling an immense snake uncoiled,” and this serpentine imagery, with its head placed in the sea and tale winding up, recedes into the dark forest. It swallows and crushes all the steamers entering into it and this squeezing and crushing have been experienced by Marlow and his team, “going up that river was like traveling back to the earliest beginning of the world when vegetation rioted on the earth and the big trees were kings” (ibid p. 59). Here, Conrad symbolizes big trees as kings in the primitive world where no humans ruled the land. The journey upstream of river Congo, through “trees, trees, millions of trees, massive, immense, running up high, and at their foot, hugging the bank against the stream” by the steamer like sluggish beetle depicts the supremacy of nature and inability of humans to surmount it (ibid p.61). They were “wanderers on a prehistoric earth” the earth seemed ‘unearthly’ where the inhabitants were not inhuman, but “remote kin” (p. 62-63). Marlow’s words that “I tried to break the spell–the heavy, mute spell of the wilderness—that seemed to draw him to its pitiless breast by the awakening of forgotten brutal instincts by the memory of gratified and monstrous passions,” when he encountered Kurtz in the dark island are another allegorical situation with wild nature and downfall of an idolized civilized man, Kurtz (ibid p. 106-107). Ultimately Conrad pays his obituary to Kurtz with his typical irony that the “shade of the original Kurtz” who was an “impenetrable darkness” “whose fate it was to be buried presently in the mold of primeval earth” (ibid p.110-111). As a classic writer, Conrad successfully stimulates and excites the mind of his readers, through the clever use of symbols of nature to convey the sense of realism, in his novella “Heart of Darkness.”

Conrad, Joseph. 1995. Heart of Darkness with the Congo Diary. Hampson, Robert. (Ed.) London: Penguin.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2021, September 16). Symbolism of Nature in J. Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'. https://ivypanda.com/essays/symbolism-of-nature-in-j-conrads-heart-of-darkness/

"Symbolism of Nature in J. Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'." IvyPanda , 16 Sept. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/symbolism-of-nature-in-j-conrads-heart-of-darkness/.

IvyPanda . (2021) 'Symbolism of Nature in J. Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness''. 16 September.

IvyPanda . 2021. "Symbolism of Nature in J. Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'." September 16, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/symbolism-of-nature-in-j-conrads-heart-of-darkness/.

1. IvyPanda . "Symbolism of Nature in J. Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'." September 16, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/symbolism-of-nature-in-j-conrads-heart-of-darkness/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Symbolism of Nature in J. Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'." September 16, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/symbolism-of-nature-in-j-conrads-heart-of-darkness/.

• The Knitting Relic: Women, Art, and Western Civilization
• Character of Kurtz in Heart of Darkness
• Heart of Darkness - Analysis of Marlow's Lie
• Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad: Novel Summary
• Ethical Issues in “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad
• Marlow in "Heart of Darkness"
• Colonialism in the ”Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad
• Colonialism Role in the "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad
• Analysis of the Joseph Conrad’s Novel “Heart of Darkness”
• Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” & Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now”
• Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
• Irish Literature in English Analysis
• Edger Allen Poe's “The Tell-Tale Heart” Analysis
• Symbolism in “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
• Frankenstein: The Novel or the Movie?

Heart of Darkness

Joseph conrad, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Marlow believes that women exist in a world of beautiful illusions that have nothing to do with truth or the real world. In this way, women come to symbolize civilization's ability to hide its hypocrisy… read analysis of Women

The Sepulchral City

The white sepulchral city symbolizes all of European civilization. The beautiful white outside evokes the lofty ideas and justifications that Europeans use to justify colonization, while the hidden hollow inside the sepulcher hides the hypocrisy… read analysis of The Sepulchral City

Dark and White

Darkness is everywhere in Heart of Darkness . But the novella tweaks the conventional idea of white as good and dark as evil. Evil and good don't really apply to Heart of Darkness , because… read analysis of Dark and White

Symbols and their Meanings in “Heart of Darkness”

This essay will analyze the symbolism in Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness.” It will explore the various symbols used in the novel, such as darkness, light, the Congo River, and Kurtz, discussing how these symbols contribute to the novel’s exploration of imperialism, racism, and the human psyche. The piece will delve into Conrad’s use of imagery and allegory to convey the complexities of colonialism and moral corruption. It will also consider how the novel’s symbolism has been interpreted in different ways by readers and critics. Additionally, PapersOwl presents more free essays samples linked to Fiction.

How it works

Symbols are a common literary device used by authors. Some authors use symbols to make the readers think and find the deeper meanings. Other authors use symbols to help tie together different parts of the story. In Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad many symbols are shown to the readers throughout the literary work. Three of the major symbols the author uses in this book are the color black, the color white, and buzzing flies.

In the book Heart of Darkness the color black is used to symbolize many different things.

It symbolizes death, darkness, and evil but there is also times when it symbolizes good. For example when Marlow goes to sign his contract he sees two women knitting black caps, also known as funeral caps. The women were taking measurements of every member of the company and knitting the caps so that they would be ready to place on the head of a person who died while in the jungle. This shows the reader that death was expected once a person decided to go work on the Congo River because many people did not assume that they would make it out alive. The color black also symbolizes evil. Joseph Conrad describes the land by saying, “The offing was barred by a black bank of clouds, and the tranquil waterway leading to the uttermost ends of the earth flowed somber under an overcast sky—seemed to lead into the heart of an immense darkness” (72). This shows the reader that the land was seen to be a very dark place and its evilness captivated people and drew them in into the very heart of its darkness. Although Conrad does, at times, follow the traditional use of black meaning evil he also strays away from that and in some cases portrays black as the color of good. For example in the book the black-skinned people are portrayed as the ones who are good at heart. Although they do violent things such as kill people they only do them because the white people are forcing them to and they have to do what they can to stay alive. Traditionally the black-skinned people would have been the ones that are violent and angry and portrayed as evil because the color black is associated with evilness. But Conrad reverses the mainstream way people think in order to draw his readers in and keep them thinking.

Another major symbol in Heart of Darkness is the color white. The color white traditionally symbolizes life and the goodness within but Conrad also uses it to symbolize evil. For example Conrad uses the color white to symbolize good when the Company is sending white people to civilize the areas around the Congo. This helps bring a light into the lives of people who otherwise live in complete darkness. Although there are many examples of white symbolizing good there are just as many of white symbolizing the evilness of the world. One example is the dying boy with the white string around his neck. Marlow describes the scene by saying, “It looked startling round his black neck, this bit of white thread from beyond the seas” (Conrad 14). The reader can interpret that the white string symbolizes his death and the way he died from this description. Another example is that the white-skinned people are the ones who are truly evil on the inside. They are overrun by greed and the need to be the best and most successful. So much so that they kill or get people to kill for them without hesitation if it means that they will be able to get ahead. Conrad’s use of reversal from white always meaning the goodness inside of people and life helps the readers think more in depth and develop a deeper understanding of the book.

Another major symbol is buzzing flies. Conrad uses the flies to symbolize death and the grim conditions that people are living in while on the Congo. For example when Marlow is living in the station for ten days he talks about how hot it was and how the flies were big and that they did not sting they stabbed (Conrad 15). This shows the reader how terrible the conditions are that Marlow is living in. Conrad also uses flies to symbolize death. While living at the station there was ill people scattered all throughout the huts, because of this the flies were constantly buzzing around. This shows the reader that death was near and that the flies are the symbol that death is coming. Another example of flies buzzing around death is when Kurtz has just died. Marlow describes it by saying, “A continuous stream of small flies streamed upon the lamp, upon the cloth, upon our hands and faces” (Conrad 64). This quote helps the readers get a better understanding of the how terrible the conditions are because they are constantly surrounded by flies because of the constant death of people that are on the Congo.

The colors black and white and the buzzing flies are three major symbols used in Heart of Darkness. The color black symbolizes death and the evilness of the Congo River, but it also is used to symbolize good when referring to the black-skinned people. The color white is traditionally used to symbolize good and life but Conrad also uses it to symbolize the greed and evilness of the white-skinned men. The buzzing flies symbolize death and the terrible conditions that are being endured while people are living on the Congo. Although they all have different meanings all of the symbols shown throughout this work of literature help develop the story and give the readers a chance to find their deeper meanings.

Cite this page

Symbols and Their Meanings in "Heart of Darkness". (2019, Jan 25). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/symbols-and-their-meanings-in-heart-of-darkness/

"Symbols and Their Meanings in "Heart of Darkness"." PapersOwl.com , 25 Jan 2019, https://papersowl.com/examples/symbols-and-their-meanings-in-heart-of-darkness/

PapersOwl.com. (2019). Symbols and Their Meanings in "Heart of Darkness" . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/symbols-and-their-meanings-in-heart-of-darkness/ [Accessed: 5 May. 2024]

"Symbols and Their Meanings in "Heart of Darkness"." PapersOwl.com, Jan 25, 2019. Accessed May 5, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/symbols-and-their-meanings-in-heart-of-darkness/

"Symbols and Their Meanings in "Heart of Darkness"," PapersOwl.com , 25-Jan-2019. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/symbols-and-their-meanings-in-heart-of-darkness/. [Accessed: 5-May-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2019). Symbols and Their Meanings in "Heart of Darkness" . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/symbols-and-their-meanings-in-heart-of-darkness/ [Accessed: 5-May-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Heart of Darkness — Analysis of Figurative Language in “The Heart of Darkness”

Analysis of Figurative Language in "The Heart of Darkness"

• Categories: Heart of Darkness

About this sample

Words: 2598 |

Pages: 5.5 |

13 min read

Published: Jun 29, 2018

Words: 2598 | Pages: 5.5 | 13 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 346 words

3 pages / 1198 words

4.5 pages / 1980 words

3.5 pages / 2123 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Heart of Darkness, written by Polish-British author Joseph Conrad was published in Blackwood’s magazine in three parts and was released in February, March, and April of 1899. The novel follows Marlow a sailor, who embarks on a [...]

The following essay is my reflection on the "Heart of Darkness", a novel by Joseph Conrad. I found this book really entertaining because the author introduces numerous themes such as the mystery of new territory, (the eastern [...]

Symbols are used to represent an idea by suggesting what that idea could mean instead of giving a direct interpretation. It makes the reader question what the true purpose of the symbol is and leads to many analyses. By [...]

At the crux of Heart of Darkness lies a psychological and physical odyssey towards the confronting and profound realities of colonialism. Through constructing a complex tale based on opposites: civilised versus savagery, a core [...]

This paper is in a file format called LaTeX. You can compile it into something that looks good, or you can just read through all the formatting info. Much literary criticism find similarities between two books, merely because [...]

The Heart of Darkness was written in the peak of European dominance over countries seen as lesser, by Joseph Conrad and is often seen as a novel that supports a discriminative view on race and gender. The story follows Charles [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

• English Literature
• Short Stories
• Literary Terms
• Web Stories

Analyze the use of symbolism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness

Table of Contents

Joseph Conrad’s novel “Heart of Darkness” is a literary masterpiece renowned for its exploration of human nature and the dark aspects of imperialism. Throughout the novel, Conrad utilizes a rich tapestry of symbols to convey deeper meanings and enhance the thematic depth of the narrative.

Analyze the use of symbolism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness:-This essay aims to analyze the use of symbolism in “Heart of Darkness” and discuss how these symbols contribute to the novel’s exploration of colonialism, the human psyche, and the contrast between light and darkness.

Symbolism of the Congo River:

Symbolism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness:- One of the central symbols in “Heart of Darkness” is the Congo River, which serves as a metaphor for the journey into the unknown and the depths of the human soul. The river symbolizes both the physical journey Marlow undertakes and the metaphorical journey into the heart of darkness. Initially depicted as a source of life and vitality, it gradually transforms into a symbol of the destructive forces of imperialism. As Marlow travels further upstream, the river becomes increasingly treacherous and represents the moral deterioration caused by colonization.

Symbolism of Darkness:

Symbolism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness:- Darkness is a pervasive symbol throughout the novel, representing the inherent evil and corruption within humanity. Conrad employs darkness to convey the moral decay of the characters and the oppressive nature of imperialism. The darkness also represents the ignorance and lack of understanding that perpetuate the exploitation of African nations by European powers. It symbolizes the hidden truths and secrets that lie beneath the surface of civilization, exposing the hypocrisy and brutality of the colonizers.

Also Read:-

• Analyze the use of metaphor in Langston Hughes Mother to Son
• Salman Rushdie use concept of identity in Midnight’s Children
• Discuss the theme of gender roles in Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper
• Analyze the use of symbolism in Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse

Symbolism of Kurtz:

Symbolism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness:- Kurtz, the enigmatic and charismatic character in “Heart of Darkness,” embodies numerous symbolic elements. Initially built up as a heroic figure, he represents the potential for greatness and the ideals of European civilization. However, as the story progresses, Kurtz becomes a symbol of the corrupting influence of power and unchecked ambition. His descent into madness and brutal methods of exploitation expose the dark underbelly of imperialism. Kurtz’s final words, “The horror! The horror!” resonate as a profound symbol of the ultimate truth he has encountered—a realization of the profound darkness and moral degradation at the heart of human nature.

Symbolism of Ivory:

Symbolism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness:- Ivory serves as a prominent symbol in the novel, representing the allure of wealth and material possessions. It symbolizes the greed and lust for power that drives the European colonization of Africa. The pursuit of ivory becomes an obsession for both the colonizers and the colonized, resulting in exploitation, violence, and destruction. Ivory also serves as a metaphor for the hollowness of materialism and the moral bankruptcy of imperialism.

Heart of Darkness “Themes”

Symbolism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness:- Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is a complex and thought-provoking novella that explores various themes. Set in the backdrop of colonialism and the exploration of Africa, the story delves into the depths of human nature and the darkness that lies within. In this essay, we will discuss three major themes that emerge from the narrative: the destructive effects of imperialism, the hypocrisy of civilization, and the exploration of the human psyche.

The destructive effects of imperialism are a central theme in Heart of Darkness. The novella vividly portrays the exploitation and brutality of European colonialism in Africa. The character of Kurtz, a European ivory trader, represents the extreme consequences of imperialism. As Marlow journeys up the Congo River, he witnesses the devastating impact of European presence on the native African people.

Symbolism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness:- Conrad exposes the inhumane treatment of the locals, the destruction of their land, and the disruption of their cultures. The concept of “civilizing” the natives is debunked, as the Europeans themselves become immersed in the darkness and savagery of the jungle. Through his depiction of the horrors of imperialism, Conrad criticizes the hypocrisy and cruelty of the colonial enterprise.

Linked to the destructive effects of imperialism is the theme of the hypocrisy of civilization. Throughout the novella, Conrad challenges the notion that European civilization is superior to other cultures. The European characters in the story present themselves as civilized and enlightened, but their actions contradict their claims. Marlow, the narrator, describes the behavior of the European traders as barbaric and immoral.

Symbolism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness:- They engage in ruthless exploitation and violence, revealing the hypocrisy behind their claims of bringing progress and enlightenment to Africa. Conrad exposes the darkness that lurks beneath the veneer of civilization, suggesting that it is merely a thin veil that conceals mankind’s innate savagery.

The exploration of the human psyche is another significant theme in Heart of Darkness. As Marlow ventures deeper into the African jungle, he confronts the depths of his own soul and the inherent darkness within. The journey becomes a descent into the psychological abyss, symbolized by Kurtz, who embodies the epitome of human depravity.

Symbolism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness:- Kurtz’s transformation from an idealistic and ambitious trader to a brutal and mad figure illustrates the corrupting influence of the wilderness and the human capacity for evil. Marlow’s encounter with Kurtz forces him to confront the darkness within himself and question his own morality. The novella explores the idea that human beings are capable of both immense good and unspeakable evil, and that the line between them is often blurred.

Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” is a remarkable literary work that utilizes symbolism to convey profound themes and explore the complexities of human nature and imperialism. The symbols discussed in this essay—the Congo River, darkness, Kurtz, and ivory—serve as powerful vehicles for conveying deeper meanings and enhancing the novel’s thematic depth.

Through the symbol of the Congo River, Conrad portrays the journey into the unknown and the depths of the human soul, highlighting the moral deterioration caused by imperialism. Darkness is a pervasive symbol that represents the inherent evil and corruption within humanity, shedding light on the hypocrisy and brutality of colonization. Kurtz, a complex and enigmatic character, embodies the corrupting influence of power and unchecked ambition, exposing the dark underbelly of imperialism. Ivory symbolizes the allure of wealth and material possessions, showcasing the greed and destructive nature of imperialism.

Symbolism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness:- The use of these symbols not only enriches the narrative but also invites readers to reflect on profound themes such as the consequences of unchecked power, the fragility of civilization, and the duality of human nature. Conrad’s skillful implementation of symbolism resonates with readers, provoking introspection and discussion long after the novel’s conclusion.

“Heart of Darkness” remains a timeless exploration of the human condition, challenging readers to confront the darkness that resides within themselves and society. Conrad’s use of symbolism serves as a poignant reminder of the potential for both greatness and moral decay in human beings, urging us to critically examine the impact of imperialism and the deeper aspects of our own nature.

In a world still grappling with the legacy of colonialism and the complexities of the human psyche, “Heart of Darkness” stands as a powerful literary testament, encouraging us to confront the darkness within and strive for a more enlightened and compassionate world.

FAQ. Heart of Darkness

Q. what is the plot of “heart of darkness”.

Ans. “Heart of Darkness” follows the journey of Charles Marlow, a seaman and narrator, as he ventures into the Congo River in Africa. Marlow is tasked with finding the mysterious ivory trader Kurtz, who has gone deep into the African wilderness and is rumored to have become a powerful and ruthless figure. As Marlow travels deeper into the heart of Africa, he confronts the darkness and moral decay that permeates the human soul.

Q. What are the major themes in “Heart of Darkness”?

Ans. Some major themes explored in “Heart of Darkness” include imperialism and colonialism, the duality of human nature, the hypocrisy of Western civilization, the corrupting influence of power, and the struggle between civilization and savagery.

Q. How does Conrad use symbolism in “Heart of Darkness”?

Ans. Conrad employs various symbols throughout the novel to convey deeper meanings. The Congo River symbolizes the journey into the unknown and the depths of the human soul. Darkness represents the inherent evil and corruption within humanity, as well as the ignorance that perpetuates imperialism. Kurtz symbolizes the potential for greatness and the corrupting influence of power. Ivory serves as a symbol of wealth and material possessions, highlighting the greed and moral bankruptcy of imperialism.

Q. What is the significance of Kurtz in the novel?

Ans. Kurtz is a central and enigmatic character in “Heart of Darkness.” He embodies the potential for greatness and the ideals of European civilization. However, as the story progresses, Kurtz becomes a symbol of the corrupting influence of power and unchecked ambition. His descent into madness and brutal methods of exploitation expose the dark underbelly of imperialism and the human psyche.

Related Posts

The 48 Laws of Power Summary Chapterwise by Robert Greene

What is precisionism in literature, what is the samuel johnson prize.

Attempt a critical appreciation of The Triumph of Life by P.B. Shelley.

Consider The Garden by Andrew Marvell as a didactic poem.

Why does Plato want the artists to be kept away from the ideal state

MEG 05 LITERARY CRITICISM & THEORY Solved Assignment 2023-24

William Shakespeare Biography and Works

Discuss the theme of freedom in Frederick Douglass’ Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

How does William Shakespeare use the concept of power in Richard III

Analyze the use of imagery in William Shakespeare’s sonnets

Deep in the quiet wood by james weldon johnson poem summary line by line, in which novel does the character “babaray” appear, who wrote “the magic pudding”, the significance of the title “jasper jones”.

• Advertisement
• Privacy & Policy
• Other Links

© 2023 Literopedia

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Remember Me

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription.

ESSAY SAUCE

FOR STUDENTS : ALL THE INGREDIENTS OF A GOOD ESSAY

Essay: Symbolic use of ivory in heart of darkness

Essay details and download:.

• Subject area(s): Literature essays
• Reading time: 2 minutes
• Price: Free download
• Published: 5 December 2019*
• File format: Text
• Words: 533 (approx)
• Number of pages: 3 (approx)
• Tags: Heart of Darkness essays

Text preview of this essay:

This page of the essay has 533 words. Download the full version above.

In Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad often uses vague,”muted” descriptions, leaving a melange of possible meanings in the reader’s lap. One exception to this trend is Conrad’s symbolic use of ivory. Within the frame of the story, his references to ivory can obviously be seen as a representation of the white man’s greed. Towards the end of the book ivory comes to symbolize the oozing evil that drips from the heart of darkness.

It isn’t long before Conrad makes a commentary on the greed of the whites. By the thirty-seventh page via Marlow associates them with a “false religion.” He says that the men at the Central Station are, “like a lot of faithless pilgrims bewitched inside a rotten fence. Pilgrims are usually people who travel to a holy place, so why the choice of words? Conrad further explains in the following lines when he says, “The word ‘ivory’ rang in the air, was whispered, was sighed. You would think they were praying to it.” In their rapacity the “pilgrims” have placed ivory as their God, a realization that has greater meaning towards the end of the book.

The significance of ivory begins to move away from avarice and takes on a purely evil connotation as Marlow approaches those hearts of darkness: the Inner Station and Kurtz. Kurtz’s relationship with ivory seems to have been reiterated by every company member through the course of the story. Of course Kurtz “harvested” more ivory than all the other stations combined, and therefore it almost seems appropriate that Conrad would use extensive ivory imagery in describing Kurtz. Earlier, during his digression on Kurtz, Marlow says, “The wilderness had patted him on the head, and, behold, it was like a ball-an ivory ball”. By the time that Kurtz is carried out on a stretcher the evil has so overtaken him that, “I could see the cage of his ribs all astir, the bones of his arms waving. It was as though an animated image of death carved out of old ivory had been shaking its hand with menaces at a motionless crowd of men made of dark and glittering bronze”. The evil has now grown to encompass his entire body, and soul. Kurtz’s lust for ivory is recounted by the Russian. Once he threatened to shoot the Russian, who was squirreling a small quantity of ivory-“because he could do so, and had a fancy for it, and there was nothing on earth to prevent him from killing whom he jolly well pleased.” The almost god-like power that Kurtz wields is unchecked, save for disease.

In Heart of Darkness ivory plays a dual role in significance. On one hand it is representative of evil and greed, and on the other, it is representative of the measures taken to acquire it in the first place (i.e. mistreatment of blacks). Conrad’s use of ivory in order to symbolize darkness is also in keeping with his occasional reversal of the colors normally associated with good and evil, white and black. Ivory as a material is one of the purest and whitest found in nature, while Kurtz’s soul is purely black.

...(download the rest of the essay above)

Discover more:

• Heart of Darkness essays

Related essays:

• Conrad’s Heart of Darkness & Achebe’s Things Fall Apart – when cultures collide
• ‘An image of Africa: Racism in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness’ by Chinua Achebe
• Lord of the Flies / In the Heart of Darkness (draft)
• Heart of Darkness relies on flawed observation and assumption
• Heart of Darkness (social, historical and cultural context)

Recommended for you

• Themes of empire and race in War of the Worlds/Heart of Darkness
• post-colonial effects in Heart of Darkness and Nervous Conditions

About this essay:

If you use part of this page in your own work, you need to provide a citation, as follows:

Essay Sauce, Symbolic use of ivory in heart of darkness . Available from:<https://www.essaysauce.com/literature-essays/symbolic-use-of-ivory-in-heart-of-darkness/> [Accessed 05-05-24].

These Literature essays have been submitted to us by students in order to help you with your studies.

* This essay may have been previously published on Essay.uk.com at an earlier date.

Essay Categories:

• Accounting essays
• Architecture essays
• Business essays
• Computer science essays
• Criminology essays
• Economics essays
• Education essays
• Engineering essays
• English language essays
• Environmental studies essays
• Essay examples
• Finance essays
• Geography essays
• Health essays
• History essays
• Hospitality and tourism essays
• Human rights essays
• Information technology essays
• International relations
• Leadership essays
• Linguistics essays
• Literature essays
• Management essays
• Marketing essays
• Mathematics essays
• Media essays
• Medicine essays
• Military essays
• Miscellaneous essays
• Music Essays
• Nursing essays
• Philosophy essays
• Photography and arts essays
• Politics essays
• Project management essays
• Psychology essays
• Religious studies and theology essays
• Sample essays
• Science essays
• Social work essays
• Sociology essays
• Sports essays
• Types of essay
• Zoology essays