Historical, Sociological, and Philosophical Elements of Heart of Darkness

1842 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: How is darkness represented in the heart of darkness

Historical, Sociological, and Philosophical Elements of Heart of Darkness

An awareness of the historical, sociological, and philosophical climate prevalent during the time in which Heart of Darkness was written plays a key role in understanding the significance of Conrad's complex work. Joseph Conrad began work on Heart of Darkness in 1898 and completed it the following year in 1899. During this time the impressionist movement was in full swing, European colonization was at its peak, racial tensions were rapidly increasing, and man was confronted with the fall of the traditional view that held man as the eminent ruler the world. Each of these issues significantly influenced Joseph Conrad's writing of the novel as well as its collective meaning for all mankind.

A look at Conrad's writing style will allow us to infer his possible intent upon writing Heart of Darkness and therefore how the reader should approach it. Conrad's writing style is centered upon the literary sense of impressionism. Literary impressionism is characterized by the use of details and mental associations to evoke subjective and sensory impressions rather than the re-creation of objective reality ("impressionism"). Conrad is trying to communicate to the readers in a way that transcends the written word. The intent here is not to abstract orderly ideas about experience, rather they try to re-create and communicate the rich complexities of experience itself, with all its darkness, messiness, and ambiguity intact (Dintenfass). Some critics have argued that Conrad presents so much detail and chaos in his works that it becomes too much for him to analyze. Conrad responded to this attack in a letter directed toward critic Richard Curle:

...

... middle of paper ...

...enfass, Mark. "Heart of Darkness: A Lawrence University Freshman Studies Lecture." 14 Mar. 1996. *http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~csicseri/dintenfass.htm* (2 Feb. 2000).

Guerard, Albert J. Conrad the Novelist. Cambridge, MA.: Harvard U. Press, 1958.

Hayes, Dorsha. "Heart of Darkness: An Aspect of the Shadow," Spring (1956): 43-47..

Hillman, James. "Notes on White Supremacy: Essaying an Archetypal Account of Historical Events," Spring (1986): 29-57.

Jean-Aubry, George. Joseph Conrad: Life and Letters. Vol. 1. New York: Page, 1966.

McLynn, Frank. Hearts of Darkness: The European Exploration of Africa. New York: Carol & Gey, 1992.

Mellard, James. "Myth and Archetype in Heart of Darkness," Tennessee Studies in Literature 13 (1968): 1-15.

Yatzeck: Marlow's Lie - http://cwis.lawrence.edu/www 4. french in Africa - www.sas.upenn edu/ AF._Studies

Show More
Related

  • The Revenge of the Cask of Amontillado

    1274 Words  | 3 Pages

    Set in an unspecified Italian city and an unidentified year, the Cask of Amontillado is a short story that majorly revolves on revenge. Written by the much-celebrated literary expert Edgar Allan Poe, the short story is centered on the narrator who is hell bent exerting revenge on a friend who caused him great pain.

    Read More

  • The Cask Of Amontillado Mood

    544 Words  | 2 Pages

    Poe is credited for defining the modern short story. In “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe, he tells a tale of revenge. The story begins with Montresor, our narrator, stating that Fortunato, his enemy, has insulted him and how he seeks revenge. It continues by describing how Montresor leads Fortunato to his death by using reverse psychology and alcohol. “The Cask of Amontillado” conveys an eerie mood to its audience through dialogue and descriptive details.

    Read More

  • Light vs. Dark in Heart of Darkness

    1272 Words  | 3 Pages

    Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. The Longman Anthology of British Literature. Ed. David Damrosch, New York: Pearson. Copyright 2004.

    Read More

  • Exploring Themes in Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'

    1101 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Heart of Darkness, a complex text was written by Joseph Conrad around the 19th century, when Europeans were colonizing Africa for wealth and power and were attempting to spread their culture and religion in Africa. It was also a period in which women were not allowed to participate in worldly affairs. Therefore, the text deals with issues such as racism, European imperialism, and misogyny. This essay will look at the different themes in the novel and argue whether or not The Heart of Darkness is a work of art.

    Read More

  • Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness

    798 Words  | 2 Pages

    Asking the right questions is indeed an art form . It is however an even bigger burden to try to answer from an analytical presepective these subjective questions which inspire answers and explanations to the ultimate “why” and “how” . As readers we are obligated to carry with us an open mind, an analytical eye and room for suggestive arguments when trying to dissect a piece of writing. Joseph Conrad's novella Heart of Darkness offers the perfect platform for interpretation. With a dozen shades of foggy gray's, the short story is begging for a set of eyes that can see it through. Without proceeding too far into the novella, one can draw out a great deal of analytical suggestions as to what the title itself implies. The word Darkness seems to be a consistent theme throughout the book. So much so, that the amount of weight it carries has given it a special place on the cover. Many critics have found common ground on deciphering the interpretation of the word .The concept of darkness could be respresenting evil. However, some significant subjective questions remain unaswered: Exaclty which character in the novella has fallen victim to this evil? Is it Conrad himself, Marlow, Kurtz or the natives? All of them? Are there different forms in which this evil can manifest itself? Is it talking about darkness in the literal or figurative sense? Would we be considered naïve if we thought evil could be contained or is darkness a necessary evil we all posses and an undeniable part of our reality?

    Read More

  • “The Cask of Amontillado” --- Full of Irony

    1226 Words  | 3 Pages

    Edgar Allan Poe is a famous writer in writing detective stories and horror stories. One of his horror stories, “The Cask of Amontillado” was talking about how a man took his revenge to his friend. However, to look deeply in this story, I found that this story was not just simply a horror tale about how a man gets his revenge in the safest way. Instead, it also demonstrates much irony in several areas: the title, the event, the season, the costume, the environment, the characters’ personalities, a man’s dignity and cockiness and at the end, the public order. he are

    Read More

  • The Theme of Revenge in “The Cask of Amontillado”

    1638 Words  | 4 Pages

    The first indirect factor that could contribute to Montresor’s vengeful act, and thus the story’s theme of revenge, is the character of Montresor. Montresor tends to harbor feelings of resentment and has a hard time not taking things out of context (Womack). He also plans the murder of Fortunato in advance and devises it in such a way that he will not be caught. In killing Fortunato, Montreso...

    Read More

  • Critical Response Essay: The Cask Of Amontillado

    1363 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Cask of Amontillado, one of Edgar Allen Poe’s most celebrated works, paints a very sinister and dark tale of revenge. It is riddled with symbolism of what is in store for Fortunato who has betrayed Montresor in what Montresor perceives to warrant a grievous end. Throughout their the interaction, there are subtleties in which one might think there is a way out, but ultimately greed takes over which leads to Fortunato 's undoing.

    Read More

  • Irony In The Cask Of Amontillado

    515 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the dark and creepy short story, The Cask of Amontillado, the reader learns the value of choosing their words wisely around others in the revenge story about Montresor getting his vengeance on Fortunato who disgraced his family name. Montresor, who was once friends with Fortunato, develops and plan to destroy Fortunato but be able to get away without any harm in legal terms. In the short story, The Cask of Amontillado, the author, Edgar Allan Poe, uses setting, irony, and imagery to create an eerie mood for the reader.

    Read More

  • Edgar Allan Poe's, The Cask of Amontillado as a Description of Poe's Life

    795 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...portrayed by Fotunato and Luchesi. Considering the close resemblance between the story and the issues in his life at that time, I believe Allan Poe was writing about himself. He finally got his revenge when he filed a libel suit against English and Fuller. He won the libel suit but he also lost his reputation in the process. In The Cask of Amontillado, Montressor walled Fortunato in. However, Fortunato rested in peace while Montressor will go on with a troubled conscience.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Heart Of Darkness: A Lesson In Imperfection

    1232 Words  | 3 Pages

    Heart of Darkness should be taught in high school as long as the students are aware of its racism. Heart of Darkness shatters the view of imperialism that was held during the 19th century and Conrad’s opinion of it aligns with that of modern society. The use of language in the book can improve high schooler’s reading skills as well as help them separate form from substance as they will be able to see that the writing holds racist views. Finally, it is beneficial for students to understand that people can simultaneously have ethical and unethical values such as Conrad understanding how imperialism is a lie but also being racist towards Africans. Heart of Darkness should be taught to high schoolers

    Read More

  • Darkness as Symbolism in Heart of Darkness

    455 Words  | 1 Pages

    The "Heart of Darkness," written by Joseph Conrad in 1899 as a short story, is about two men who face their own identities as what they consider to be civilized Europeans and the struggle to not to abandon their themselves and their morality once they venture into the "darkness." The use of "darkness" is in the book's title and in throughout the story and takes on a number of meanings that are not easily understood until the story progresses. As you read the story you realize that the meaning of "darkness" is not something that is constant but changes depending on the context it used.

    Read More

  • Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness - A Modernist Novel

    505 Words  | 2 Pages

    Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness is a great example of a Modernist novel because of its general obscurity. The language is thick and opaque. The novel is littered with words such as: inconceivable, inscrutable, gloom. Rather than defining characters in black and white terms, like good and bad, they entire novel is in different shades of gray. The unfolding of events takes the reader between many a foggy bank; the action in the book and not just the language echoes tones of gray.

    Read More

  • The Cask of Amontillado: Character Analysis

    1054 Words  | 3 Pages

    Poe starts out with a man, by the name of Montresor, wanting revenge on another man, named Fortunato. Most of the story takes place deep in the Montresor family catacombs. As Montresor lures Fortunato into the catacombs, he chains Fortunato up to a small hole in a wall, bricks it over, and leaves Fortunato to die. Even through the traits of anger, hatred, and revenge, as the story progresses on, Montresor, the main character in “The Cask of Amontillado”, starts to show signs of feeling guilty for wanting to murder Fortunato.

    Read More

  • Critical Analysis Of Heart Of Darkness

    1413 Words  | 3 Pages

    Joseph Conrad’s novella, Heart of Darkness, was written in the year 1902, a time of modernist literature. Heart of Darkness talks about the problems with alienation and confusion as much as it does about imperialism. In the early 1900’s, the lifestyle in England veered towards the Victorian values. Conrad’s novella makes a bridge to connect the Victorian values with the ideas of modernism. Thus “it belongs to a period of change.”(Sardar) For example, the natives are following in the footsteps of their predecessors, following a life of tradition, and their ideas of life are constantly being attacked by people like Mr. Kurtz who think they are doing what is best, when in reality they are creating more confusion

    Read More

More about Historical, Sociological, and Philosophical Elements of Heart of Darkness

Open Document