5-1
Heart of Darkness poses the question, “Is imperialism really bad? Is there a positive side to
imperialism?” It answers the question by showing the effects of imperialism on the native people in
Africa, the destruction of the land, and also in Marlow’s own opinions and how they change.
When Marlow first arrives in the Belgian Congo, he describes the way that the natives are lying
around and dying “like flys.” The western world powers did not care if natives lived or died and were
only using them. Natives were forced into slavery and many were killed. The African people were
enslaved and sometimes even tortured by the imperialistic whites. These things are shown in Heart of
Darkness when Marlow discusses the way the natives were part of “chain-gangs,” and when one
member became sick or died, he was easily replaced.
The land in Africa was destroyed as the western world began colonization. The trees were cut
down and replaced with roads. This is discussed in Heart of Darkness when Marlow sees how the land
was cleared for mining purposes. Along with the destruction of land, many of Africa’s native animals
were poached into near extinction, and the populations have still not recovered, even today. Marlow is
primarily involved in the ivory trade, and this shows the destruction of the elephant population.
When Marlow is telling the story of his time in Africa, he reflects on it with the realization that
imperialism had a very negative effect on Africa. The young Marlow in the story, however, does not see
the negative effects, he merely sees the task he is given and the idea that it must be completed. This is
reflective of the world’s idea that imperialism was not so terrible while it was happening, but when
looking back we see the terrible effects.
Heart of Darkness asks us “Is imperialism really such a terrible thing?” The answer it provides is
yes in the descriptions of the change in the African’s lives, the change to the land and nature, and the
change in Marlow’s own opinion of imperialism.
5-2
In the novella Heart of Darkness Conrad asks the reader multiple questions. What causes evil,
who is marllow, and which is darker human nature or society.
What causes evil is a question raised in Heart of Darkness. We find this throughout Marlows
narration of his journey through the Congo. The native Africans being forced to work for the imperialistic
white men. Starving Africans whilst the white men are extremely well fed. The answer according to
Conrad is quite clear, greed is the cause of evil. The native Africans were forced into slavery in order to
make money for the greedy Europeans. The Africans were starving because the greedy Europeans took
much more than they needed leaving nothing. The root of the world evils is the greed of people.
Who is Marllow? The question sticks with the reader throughout the novella as Conrad switches
between the young naïve Marllow and the old world wary Marlow is proud, naïve, and looking for
adventure. Never quite thinking things through. When the Doctor tells him that no one ever comes back
from the Congo, Marlow doesn’t give it a second thought. Old Marlow is matured. He realizes looking
back how terrible the experience was, not an adventure at all, but a horror story. Conrad never really
answers this question because there is no answer. Marlow is both, because he is who he was and he is
who he is.
Does human nature make people do dark things or is it society? Conrad’s novella Heart of
Darkness is almost a study of human nature verses society/nature. While in western society people are
behaved & well mannered but in the Congo greed and human darkness thrive. Conrad seems to believe
that human nature is darker than society. In the Congo people are happy to reign over the native and
use them to their own advantage, and upon dying Kartz says, “The horror! The Horror!” in response to
being taken back to society.
The way Conrad treats the questions in their novella makes the reader wonder if they are truly
understanding the work. Constent questioning of the answers you think you’ve found lead you to realize
that you haven’t found your answer to anything. This maybe the purpose of the work as a whole.
5-3
A famous critic, Roland Barthes has said, “Literature is the question minus the answer.” In
Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”, we see several examples to Barthes’ statement. The central
question in “Heart of Darkness” is, “What is the effect of imperialism on both groups?” , and the book
gives several answers that help the reader understand the work as a whole.
The answer to “what is the effect of imperialism” on the victimized group is explained in the
novel as suffering. The native people of Africa are brutally slaughtered in the novel. Conrad depicts the
deaths in great detail to emphasize the harsh reality of the situation. Many of the surviving natives are
enslaved and poorly treated. The sickly natives are exiled to suffer, as opposed to treated. The suffering
of the victimized group is a prominant answer to the answer to the central question.
Along with acknowledging the effects on the victimized party the novel also answers the central
question concerning the invading party. The character of Kurtz in an excellent example of what
imperialism can do to a once good man. Through the tragic events that Kurtz experienced, he became a
spiteful, cruel man. Towards the end of the book, after his epic journey, the protagonist Marlow comes
to a relization about the negativity of imperialism. This relization is actually a positive element, as it
builds character to those who can endure it, without being corrupted by it. The effects of imperialism
can clearly be seen in both parties.
“Heart of Darkness” answers the central question within itself, thus helping the reader
understand the book as a whole. Through the answerd question the author’s views on imperialism are
revealed. It can be inferred that Joseph Conrad had very negative views on imperialism due to his
depiction of it in the novel. Along with being informative about the effects of imperialism, I believe
Heart of Darkness is a warning against it. The book is written with a very dark and negative tone, that
strikes fear into the readers heart.
The central question in “Heart of Darkness” is thoroughly answered in the novel. Through these
stated answers, the reader is far more prepared to understand the novel as a whole. “Literature is the
question minus the answer”, and Conrad’s novel reflects this.
5-4
Heart of Darkness addresses the question of the ethics of imperialism. Marlow’s
experiences in Africa show this opinion of imperialism and allows the reader to see both sides of the
issue.
Marlow exposes the negative side of imperialism by the harsh tone and language he uses when
describing his experience. “Old” Marlow possesses a sort of bitterness about what he’s seen in Africa.
This suggests that the answer to the question is that it is unethical.
This adds to the understanding of the work because a major theme in the novel is contrast, and
“Old” Marlow’s opinion can be contrasted with “Young” Marlow’s opinion. “Young” Marlow’s opinion
addresses the side of the white men. With his youthful ignorance, young Marlow expressed excitement
about exploring and being a part of filling the empty spaces of the map. Once he arrived, he also
described the Africans as savage’s and having animalistic qualities. This suggests justification for why the
white men wanted to “civilize” Africans and other non-white people through imperialism, and says that
the answer is that it is ethical.
The ethics of imperialism is questioned throughout the novel and is an important theme.
Marlow struggles with his memories of the evil that reed can cause. Answers are offered, but it also
requires thought. It is an important part of the novel and crucial to understanding it.
5-5
There are many questions that novel, Heart of Darkness, brings about but never gives a
clear cut answer too. One such question rises in the very end of the novel when Kurtz fiancée speaks to
Marlow. You are able to see the love and affection she has for Kurtz, but the “question minus the
answer” is whether or not Kurtz loves her. This unanswered question affects the readers understanding
of the work as a whole.
The author heads you down two possible roads. He either loves her or not. He left and has been
away from is fiancée for 5 years. He never went back to her, and judging by his attitude on not wanting
to leave, he didnt care for her and forgot all about her. He never really talks about her and nothing is
really known of her until the end of the book. Judging by that you would say he doesnt love her. But
going down the road of love you could say that he left her alone for 5 years to, in his mind, maybe etter
himself financially or maybe internally. You also need to look at how much love his fianciee has for him.
Is it possible for her to have so much love for someone who doesnt love her back? But maybe this is just
part of her little world she is in.
This enigma that the author presents you with also makes you look at the book as a whole. Just
like the love or lack of love, Kurtz has for his wife you have to question everything you read. You have to
think on two different sides of every question. Searching for the answer to a question is like looking for a
needle in a haystack. But the quest itself, the quest for the answer, helps your understanding of the
novel as a whole. Nothing is as it seems.
5-6
Heart of Darkness is a novella which questions the morality of imperialism. While the general
belief of the time period of the book was that imperialism is moral, Conrad, through Marlow, begs to
differ. He makes his point through descriptive imagery and Kurtz’s last words.
Throughout Heart of Darkness, we are given many horrific scenes through intense imagery, all of
which are results of imperialism. Marlow comes across a group of men laying under trees. They are sick
and inhuman. Earlier in the book, we see Africans happily rowing their boat; these men are not affected
by the imperialism. Another scene near the end of the book also shows the awful results of the white
man’s invasion: African men’s heads on sticks. These scenes answer the question of the morality of
imperialism.
A second way this book answers that question is through Kurtz’s last words: “The horror! The
horror!” These words of critcism are especially meaningful coming from Kurtz; he was all about getting
ivory and didn’t care about who he killed to get it. It seems as though, on his death bed, Kurtz realises
the wrong he has done.
The fact that Conrad focuses on this questioning of the morality of imperialism makes this story
more than simply a tale of traveling up the Congo river. It makes this novella a strong criticism of
people’s morals, and a journey from evil to good.
5-7
A story usually includes a central or main question that appears to the reader and makes them
try to answer it. One novel that does that is Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. This novel is extremely
controversial and many people believe that it is a racist book while others think it is a beautiful book.
There are many questions to this book mainly due to it’s mysterious story & writing style. I
believe the main question to consider is, “Does Conrad’s Heart of Darkness set Africa up as a primeval
and deplorable place’? This is the main argument that many critics have and everybody who reads this
book asks themselves that question at one point or another.
I believe, however, this question could go either way as it is completely relevant on people’s
opinions and how they feel. For example, one person who may be rascist or disagrees with the question
could say Conrad was telling the story from his perspective and nothing more. On the other hand, an
African native would say Conrad was wrong & he told it because Conrad saw African’s as imbecile &
wild. Whatever the case, both answers are right because it’s based on opinion.
This was my whole point, great authors create a storyline & central question that don’t have a
direct answer so people will argue & discuss it endlessly. There isn’t a true answer to this question &
there never will be which is the definition of Literature. All great literature has a question with no
answer as Barthes stated.
5-8
Even the title alludes to the many mysteries within Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. The most
obvious of them being the question of who exactly Mr. Kurtz is. However, the novel only offers the
answers through discussion of Kurtz’s reputation, actions, and life, emphasizing grandly on a theme of
good v. evil and also on the aspect of mystery in the novel.
Mr. Kurtz’s reputation is the most telling clue as to who Mr. Kurtz is. Marlow’s first impression
of Kurtz is a negative one because many people along Marlow’s journey to Kurtz alluded to him with a
negative connotation. One manager only said that Kurtz was “a remarkable person.” On the other
hand, the Russian harlequin raved to Marlow about Kurtz. The harlequin completely admired Kurtz, and
had even nursed him back to health on occasion. These negative and positive recollections of Kurtz
leave the reader confused and wondering if Kurtz is good or evil.
Fortunately, Mr. Kurtz’s actions can shed a light on his true motives. First is the fact that Kurtz is
the highest manager in the Congo, producing more ivory than the other managers combined. Also,
when Marlow reaches Kurtz’s station, Marlow discovers that Kurtz has complete control of the natives:
they answer every call and follow every command. He ordered an attack on Marlow’s steamer even
though Marlow was initially sent to help Kurtz. Kurtz even has shrunken heads on stakes and
participates in native ceremonies. These actions are evidence of the evil in Kurtz, leaving the enigma of
how Kurtz got the “savages” to obey him.
More mysterious yet is the picture of Kurtz’s life before and after the Congo. The reader only
immediately sees the Congo’s effects on Kurtz. The harlequin admits that Kurtz couldn’t physically leave
the Congo because it had “taken a vengeance” on him. On the other hand, the discovery of Kurtz’s
fiancée reveals that Kurtz had a normal life in which he was capable of love. Yet again, the question of
whether Kurtz is good or evil is brought up.
It is fitting that the most obvious question in Heart of Darkness is the most enigmatic. Without
it, the novel would be less mysterious and lose the question of good v. evil. Through analysis, though, it
is possible to determine a solution with clues such as Kurtz’s action, his life, and his reputation.