Symbolism has
long been a tool of the storyteller, finding its origins in the folklore of our
earliest civilizations. In more recent years, however, symbolism has taken on a
new role, forming the skeleton upon which the storyteller builds the tales of
his or hers thoughts and adventures. Knowing the power of this element, Joseph
Conrad uses symbols to help the reader explore dark interiors of men. The
symbols become a vehicle that carry the audience from stop to stop, the ride becoming
an evaluation of the darkness contained inside the hearts of mankind. Through
the use of Dark Africa as an overpowering symbol, Conrad's Heart of Darkness
tells a story that evaluates man's tendencies to fall back on barbaric methods
when not protected by civilization.
As Marlow proceeded through the jungle towards
the uncivilized world of Kurtz, he said, of the men they passed , "They
passed me within six inches, without a glance, with that complete, deathlike
indifference of unhappy savages"(Conrad, 80). Marlow's advancements into the jungle, acted
parallel with my discovery: In our deepest nature, all men are savages. Marlow connects with the very backbone in
which constitutes Conrad's theme "The shade of the original Kurtz
frequented the beside of the hollow sham, whose fate it was buried presently in
the mold of primeval earth. But both
diabolic love and the unearthly hate of the mysteries it had penetrated fought
for the possession of that soul satisfied with primitive emotions, avid of lying
fame, of sham distinction, of all the appearances of success and
power"(Conrad 146).
Our enlightenment
into the corruption of men's souls eventually becomes complete when Marlow
meets Kurtz and finds out what Kurtz has really become, one with the land,
devolved to a primitive state. Marlow
and Kurtz could be considered as two conditions of human nature, Kurtz
representing what man becomes when left to his own intrinsic devices to be
powerful, and Marlow being the untainted civilized soul who, as a leader, has
not been drawn to savagery.
Conrad moves on
to create the image of Kurtz for the readers, and the well-anticipated meeting
with Marlow. As Marlow is inquiring
about Kurtz, he is informed that "He is a very remarkable
man"(Conrad, 84), and in charge of an interior trading post. Then, the man, as if calming Marlow's
anxiousness, states "In the interior you will no doubt meet Mr.
Kurtz" (Conrad, 84). According to
the man, Kurtz and his "fleet" send in more Ivory than all the other
posts combined. Obviously, Kurtz is very
influential and the posts down the river depend on his business.
Marlow first
encounters Kurtz when he delivers a speech to the natives. It is here that we must understand the true
strength and power that Kurtz's society derives from him. As he speaks, the natives surround him and
listen with complete focus. Kurtz had
the power to transform the savage natives into an obedient crowd. In order to keep the faith of the natives,
Kurtz would hold ceremonies in which men were beaten and beheaded. At the moment of Kurtz's death, he said "The horror! The Horror"(Conrad,
147). Conrad concludes the story on this
note. The natives, after realizing their
leader is dead, run off into the forest ranting and raving over the collapse of
their once routine society. And the
readers are left to try and comprehend the meaning behind it all. Kurtz was a man who derived his strength and
power from the society in which he created and was needed. But, once he was removed, Kurtz, along with
the natives, knew it meant the demise of his once powerful creation. His appreciation for this unfortunate truth
was the horror in his eyes. For he has
lost all strength and now must accept that his goals have not been met; he died
and so did his society.
Marlow and Kurtz
could be considered as two conditions of human existence, Kurtz representing
what Man could become if left to his own intrinsic devices outside protective
society. Marlow, then, representing a pure untainted civilized soul who has not
been drawn to savagery by a dark, alienated jungle. According to Conrad, the
will to give into the uncivilized man does not just reside Kurtz alone. Every
man has inside himself a heart of darkness. This heart is drowned in a bath of
light shed by the advent of civilization. No man is an island, and no man can
live on an island without becoming a brutal savage. Inside his heart lies the
raw evil of untamed lifestyles.
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