Heart Of Darkness Research Paper

In Joseph Conrad’s novel Heart of Darkness, Conrad’s uses Marlow’s experiences to reflect on man’s self-realization and create a spiritual quest, both physical and psychological as he seeks Kurtz, ivory-corrupted, individual in the wilderness. Within the Heart of Darkness, Conrad creates an allegory, an archetypal story of journeys: through hell, back in time, and to the core of the psyche—the heart of darkness.

Conrad’s depiction of the hell in nature becomes evident in the mist of civilization through the many descriptions within the book. Conrad begins the journey to Hell from Brussels and London with a metaphoric reference of the Thames River to suggest that time and the waterway flowed coexisting together, “[running] to and fro in unceasing

Kurtz comparison to Jupiter, for example, gives Marlow insight about his true, megalomaniac nature with obtaining a high stature of power among the natives. Conrad compares him as a “pitiful Jupiter,” using guns and other advanced weapons to rule over the natives (Conrad 67). Throughout the novel, Kurtz manages to retain his high eloquence in speaking; even during his deathbed, he finds superiority among everybody who adores him. Unlike Kurtz, Conrad compares Marlow as an “emissary of light,” in the form of a Buddha (Conrad 44). It’s also important remember that the Marlow retellings the story on the Nellie while the narrator listens in on the journey into the heart of darkness serves as his Marlow achieving his own peak of “nirvana” or inner peace. Conrad includes many similarities between the Buddha and Marlow to emphasize their parallel. Both Buddha and Marlow, for example, detested lies and dishonesty. Marlow’s gestures were similar to those of a Buddhist monk and he manages to keep his integrity, which shows his “tranquil and indistinct” nature (Saha 1). Marlow journey into the psyche allows him to self reflect on not only his values but also the necessary ones Conrad carefully chooses. The theme of breaking away from madness is also evident in Marlow’s journey into the psyche. For those who choose to descend into the heart of darkness, madness consumed them. Kurtz becomes a walking embodiment of madness. His obsession with ivory and greed drastically affects his facial appearance to that of an “ivory ball,” ultimately becoming one with his greed (Conrad 67). Conrad use of Kurtz’s tragedy serves as insight in the thought process of a corrupted