Heart of Darkness | Joseph Conrad | Cliff Note Books
The novel is narrated by Charlie Marlow, a sailor and explorer who is hired by a Belgian trading company to sail up the Congo River in search of a mysterious ivory trader named Kurtz. Marlow sets out on his journey and encounters many obstacles along the way, including treacherous weather, hostile natives, and bureaucratic red tape.
As he travels up the river, Marlow becomes increasingly disturbed by the brutal treatment of the African natives by the white colonizers. He also hears rumors about Kurtz, who is said to have gone mad and become a kind of god to the native people.
When Marlow finally arrives at Kurtz’s station, he finds the man seriously ill and on the verge of death. Kurtz is a complex figure who embodies both the best and the worst of colonialism. He has become obsessed with the idea of acquiring as much ivory as possible, and has resorted to brutal tactics in order to do so.
As Kurtz’s health deteriorates, Marlow becomes increasingly drawn into his world. He sees the man as a kind of tragic hero, who has become corrupted by the very system he was supposed to serve. Ultimately, Kurtz dies and Marlow is forced to return to Europe, where he must confront the realities of colonialism and the ways in which it has shaped his own identity.
“Heart of Darkness” is a powerful and complex novel that explores themes such as imperialism, power, corruption, and the nature of human morality. It is often regarded as a critique of colonialism and an indictment of the destructive effects of European imperialism on the African continent.
QUOTES
“We live in the flicker—may it last as long as the old earth keeps rolling! But darkness was here yesterday.”
“The horror! The horror!”
“It was just robbery with violence, aggravated murder on a great scale, and men going at it blind—as is very proper for those who tackle darkness.”
“The mind of man is capable of anything—because everything is in it, all the past as well as all the future.”
“I had no particular desire to enlighten myself concerning the exact nature of my soul.”
“We penetrated deeper and deeper into the heart of darkness.”
“It was the stillness of an implacable force brooding over an inscrutable intention.”
“I don’t like work—no man does—but I like what is in the work—the chance to find yourself. Your own reality—for yourself not for others—what no other man can ever know.”
“The horror of that moment I shall never forget.”
“The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much.”
AUTHOR
Joseph Conrad was born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski on December 3, 1857, in Berdychiv, Ukraine. His father was a Polish nobleman and his mother was a member of a French-speaking Belgian family. Conrad’s parents died when he was young, and he was raised by his uncle in Krakow, Poland.
Conrad began his career as a sailor, working in the British merchant marine and traveling to various parts of the world. His experiences at sea inspired many of his novels and stories, including “Heart of Darkness.”
Conrad’s first novel, “Almayer’s Folly,” was published in 1895. He went on to write many other acclaimed works, including “Lord Jim,” “Nostromo,” and “The Secret Agent.” Conrad’s writing is known for its complex characters, psychological depth, and exploration of moral and ethical dilemmas.
Conrad became a British citizen in 1886 and lived in England for most of his adult life. He died on August 3, 1924, at the age of 66. Today, Conrad is considered one of the greatest writers of the English language, and his work continues to be studied and admired by readers and scholars around the world.
CRITICISMS
“Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad has been widely studied and discussed since its publication, and it has also faced criticism and controversy over the years. Some of the criticisms of the book include:
Racism: The novel has been criticized for its portrayal of the African natives as primitive and savage, and for reinforcing negative stereotypes about African people. The novel has been accused of promoting colonialist and racist attitudes.
Colonialism: “Heart of Darkness” has been criticized for its portrayal of colonialism as a benevolent and civilizing force, rather than a system of oppression and exploitation.
Sexism: Some critics have noted that the female characters in the novel are not fully developed and are often presented in a stereotypical and one-dimensional way.
Language: Conrad’s use of language and narrative technique has been both praised and criticized. Some critics find his writing to be poetic and powerful, while others find it convoluted and difficult to follow.
Moral ambiguity: The novel’s exploration of moral and ethical questions has also been the subject of criticism. Some readers find the novel’s ambiguity and lack of clear moral resolution frustrating and unsatisfying.
Despite these criticisms, “Heart of Darkness” continues to be widely read and studied as a literary masterpiece and a powerful critique of colonialism and imperialism.
THEMES
“Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad explores many complex and interrelated themes. Some of the major themes of the novel include:
Colonialism: The novel critiques the destructive effects of European imperialism and colonialism on the African continent. It portrays colonialism as a brutal and exploitative system that dehumanizes both the colonizers and the colonized.
Power: The novel explores the nature of power and its corrupting influence on individuals and institutions. It portrays the struggle for power as a central force in human society.
Race and ethnicity: The novel grapples with questions of race and ethnicity, and exposes the ways in which racial attitudes can lead to exploitation and violence.
Darkness and light: The title of the novel suggests a symbolic contrast between darkness and light. The darkness of the African jungle is both a physical and metaphorical space where the characters confront their own fears and the darker aspects of human nature.
Moral ambiguity: The novel is full of moral ambiguity, with characters who are neither wholly good nor wholly evil. It raises questions about the nature of morality and the difficulty of making ethical choices in a complex and uncertain world.
Alienation and isolation: The novel portrays characters who are isolated and alienated from one another, and from society as a whole. It explores the psychological toll of loneliness and the struggle for human connection in an often hostile world.
These are just some of the major themes that “Heart of Darkness” explores. The novel is complex and multilayered, and continues to be studied and debated by readers and scholars around the world.
SYMBOLLISM
“Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad is a richly symbolic novel, with many elements that are open to interpretation. Some of the key symbols in the novel include:
The river: The Congo River is a central symbol in the novel, representing both the physical journey that Marlow and the other characters undertake, as well as a metaphorical journey into the darkness of the human psyche.
The jungle: The dense, impenetrable jungle is a symbol of the primal and savage nature of the human condition, and of the unknown and uncontrollable forces of the natural world.
Kurtz: The enigmatic and charismatic character of Kurtz is a symbol of the extremes of human nature, both good and evil. He represents the ultimate expression of colonialism and imperialism, and the way that these systems can corrupt even the most well-intentioned individuals.
Light and darkness: The contrast between light and darkness is a recurring symbol in the novel, representing the struggle between good and evil, and the search for moral clarity in a world that is often murky and ambiguous.
Ivory: Ivory is a symbol of the greed and corruption of the colonial enterprise, and of the way that humans exploit and destroy the natural world for their own ends.
The fog: The dense fog that pervades the novel is a symbol of the ambiguity and confusion of the world, and of the way that people can become lost in the darkness of their own minds.
These are just some of the many symbols that populate “Heart of Darkness,” and each of them is open to multiple interpretations, depending on the reader’s perspective and understanding of the novel.
DISCUSSION POINTS
“Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad is a complex and thought-provoking novel that offers many opportunities for discussion and analysis. Here are some potential discussion points to consider while studying the book:
Colonialism and imperialism: “Heart of Darkness” offers a scathing critique of European colonialism and imperialism in Africa. What are the effects of colonialism on the colonizers and the colonized? How does the novel portray the relationship between Europeans and Africans?
Race and ethnicity: The novel raises important questions about race and ethnicity. How does the novel portray Africans and African culture? What role does race play in the novel’s themes and symbolism?
Power and corruption: The struggle for power is a central theme of the novel, and many of the characters are corrupt or morally compromised. How does power corrupt individuals and institutions in the novel? What are the consequences of this corruption?
Moral ambiguity: The novel is full of moral ambiguity and ethical dilemmas. What are the novel’s main ethical questions? How do the characters respond to these questions, and what does their response reveal about their character?
Symbolism: “Heart of Darkness” is a richly symbolic novel, full of complex symbols and imagery. What do these symbols represent, and how do they contribute to the novel’s themes and meaning?
Narrative structure: The novel is structured as a frame narrative, with Marlow telling his story to an unnamed narrator. How does this narrative structure affect the novel’s meaning and impact?
These are just a few of the many discussion points that “Heart of Darkness” offers. The novel is full of complex and provocative ideas, and studying it can be a rewarding and enlightening experience.
CHARACTERS
Marlow: The protagonist of the novel, Marlow is a sailor and adventurer who travels up the Congo River in search of the enigmatic Kurtz. He is the primary narrator of the story.
Kurtz: A brilliant and charismatic ivory trader who has become the most successful trader in the region, Kurtz has gone mad in the heart of the African jungle. He becomes the focus of Marlow’s journey, and his character represents the dark and corrupting influence of imperialism.
The manager: The manager of the Central Station, the starting point of Marlow’s journey, is a corrupt and greedy figure who represents the negative effects of colonialism and imperialism.
The brickmaker: A minor character who works at the Central Station, the brickmaker is a sycophantic and deceitful figure who tries to undermine Marlow’s journey.
The accountant: Another minor character who works at the Central Station, the accountant is a precise and orderly figure who represents the rational and organized aspects of colonialism.
The Russian trader: A minor character who meets Marlow near Kurtz’s station, the Russian trader is a young and enthusiastic figure who has been living with Kurtz and admires him greatly.
The native Africans: The African people who live along the Congo River are an important presence in the novel, and their culture and customs are described in detail. They are often exploited and oppressed by the European colonizers.
SUMMARIES
Part 1, titled “The Nellie,” sets up the frame narrative of the novel. The story is told by an unnamed narrator who is on board the Nellie, a ship moored on the Thames River outside London. The narrator is joined by several other men, including the director of companies, a lawyer, an accountant, and the ship’s captain.
As the men sit on the deck of the ship, waiting for the tide to turn, the captain begins to tell them a story about a man named Marlow who has traveled up the Congo River in search of a man named Kurtz. The men are intrigued, and they urge the captain to continue his tale.
The narrative then shifts to Marlow, who is telling his story to the captain. Marlow describes his childhood fascination with maps and exploration, and his desire to travel to the heart of Africa. He eventually secures a job with a Belgian trading company, and sets off for the Congo River.
Marlow describes his journey up the river, and the difficulties he encounters along the way. He also describes his encounter with a French warship, which is engaged in a pointless battle with the natives.
As Marlow’s story unfolds, the other men on the ship listen intently. They are particularly intrigued by Marlow’s description of Kurtz, a brilliant and charismatic ivory trader who has gone mad in the heart of the African jungle.
As Part 1 draws to a close, the narrative returns to the frame story on the Nellie. The men on board the ship are silent, absorbed in their thoughts. The narrator reflects on the darkness that lies within every human heart, and the fragile veneer of civilization that separates us from the savagery of the jungle.
Part 2, titled “The Journey,” follows Marlow’s journey up the Congo River as he searches for the elusive Kurtz. Marlow is on a steamboat captained by a man named Fresleven, who has been killed in a dispute with the natives. Marlow takes over as captain, and begins to make his way upriver.
As Marlow’s journey progresses, he encounters a series of obstacles and challenges. He navigates treacherous waters, deals with corrupt and incompetent officials, and confronts the brutal reality of colonialism and imperialism.
Along the way, Marlow hears rumors about Kurtz, who is described as a remarkable figure who has become the most successful ivory trader in the region. As Marlow gets closer to Kurtz’s station, he encounters more and more evidence of Kurtz’s influence and power.
When Marlow finally reaches Kurtz’s station, he finds a man who is both brilliant and deeply disturbed. Kurtz has been living among the natives, and has embraced their culture and rituals. He has also become greedy and power-hungry, hoarding ivory and exerting his influence over the local people.
As Marlow spends time with Kurtz, he begins to realize that the man is near death. Kurtz is plagued by a sense of his own mortality, and by the realization that his life’s work has been meaningless. Marlow tries to help Kurtz come to terms with his own mortality, but the man dies before he can fully confront his own darkness.
The steamboat journey back down the Congo River is just as fraught with danger as the journey upriver. Marlow faces challenges from both the environment and the people around him, and he is forced to confront his own inner demons as he struggles to make his way back to civilization.
Part 2 ends with Marlow’s return to Europe, and his attempts to come to terms with what he has witnessed in the heart of darkness. The novel suggests that the darkness that lies within us all is always close at hand, and that the struggle to maintain our humanity in the face of our own darkness is an ongoing and difficult challenge.
Part 3, titled “The Return,” describes Marlow’s attempts to come to terms with what he has witnessed in the heart of darkness. As Marlow returns to Europe, he struggles to make sense of his experiences in Africa, and to reconcile the darkness he has seen with the civilized world he has returned to.
Marlow is haunted by his memories of Kurtz, and by the realization that the man he idolized was deeply flawed and corrupt. He is also troubled by the knowledge that he himself has been complicit in the colonial enterprise, and that he has participated in the exploitation and destruction of the African people and their culture.
As Marlow tries to come to terms with his own complicity in the darkness of colonialism, he is forced to confront the moral ambiguity of his own actions. He realizes that the line between good and evil is not always clear, and that the struggle for moral clarity is an ongoing and difficult process.
Part 3 ends with Marlow’s encounter with Kurtz’s fiancee, who has been waiting for news of Kurtz’s death. Marlow lies to her about Kurtz’s final words, knowing that the truth would be too painful for her to bear. The novel ends with Marlow reflecting on the darkness that lies within all of us, and the fragility of the civilization that separates us from the savage and primal forces of the natural world.