Realization of Inner Evil in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness

Realization of Inner Evil in Heart of Darkness

It was said by Thomas Moser that "in order to truly be alive one must recognize the truth, the darkness, the evil and the death within" (Moser, 156). Joseph Conrad's novel, Heart of Darkness, goes very far to explain and prove this statement. During the novel the reader takes part in a spiritual and inner journey through Africa and the mind of the protagonist, Marlow. As a consequence of his newly gained knowledge and experience he is able to exhibit his understanding of life and recount his journey into Africa. The Heart of Darkness explores the idea of self-discovery and the realization of inner evil through the characters Kurtz and Marlow and through the exploration of the dark continent of Africa.

Throughout the novel the reader only comes into contact with Kurtz through Marlow and the comments of other minor characters. Kurtz is a first class agent employed at an ivory station in the center of Africa. Due to his great ability to steal and kill mercilessly he is considered to be the best at obtaining ivory. Upon meeting Kurtz, Marlow considers him to be a remarkable man because Kurtz is aware of the darkness and evil in his own life and in the world. He also knows the "depth to which man is capable of sinking" (Dowden, 159). Through living in the core of Africa Kurtz has discovered the truth about himself. He is aware of evil and goodness, but lacks restraint and therefore, chooses evil.

Kurtz is, for the most part, alone in the wilderness, however, he is not alone in his wickedness. Kurtz's inner evil spreads outward into Africa making it the dark place that it becomes during the novel. The local people have become corrupt due to Kurtz's position of power and co...

... middle of paper ...

...den, Wilfred S. "I Start with Definite Images." Joseph Conrad: The Imagined Style . Nashville: Vanderbilt University Press, 1970. Pp. 39- 102.

Guerard, Albert J. "Conrad the Novelist" Cambridge Harvard University Press, c.1958.

Joseph Conrad: Heart of Darkness, A Case Study in Contemporary Criticism , ed. Ross C. Murfin. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989.

Montag, George E. "Marlow Tells the Truth: The Nature of Evil in Heart of Darkness ." Conradiana 3, 2 (1971-72): 93-97.

Moser, Thomas C. "The Uncongenial Subject." Joseph Conrad: Achievement and Decline. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1957. Pp. 50-130.

Stewart, Garrett. "Lying as Dying in Heart of Darkness ." PMLA 95 (1980): 319- 331.

Wright, Walter F. "Ingress to The Heart of Darkness ." Romance and Tragedy in Joseph Conrad . New York: Russell and Russell, 1966. Pp. 143-160.