The device of appearance versus reality is employed throughout Conrad's Heart of Darkness; and this relates specifically to the experience and to the main character himself, who is Marlow. His character and experience throughout the story always relates to a central issue that is pervaded by appearance versus reality: the purpose of the European presence in Africa. The consciousness in Europe is that the white man is there to incorporate his values and culture onto the native population. As the events of the story unfold, however, the reality of the white man's appetite for ivory shows through.

Marlow, thus, is left with a moral decision as how to deal with this critical issue of appearance versus reality.

When Marlow introduces his story, he tells us something important about himself. He admits to being shallow, more or less, and determined to get to Africa "...by hook or by crook...." which sugges

ts a superficial purpose. When Marlow reaches Africa and sees the reality that ivory is the attraction, we realize that Marlow is really not different from these men because he too is there under false pretenses. Remember that his aunt's politicking is the reason that he is able to go in the first place. The first significant scene in Africa is when Marlow encounters the dying savages under the shade of a tree. This is the point where Marlow begins to be filled with the horrible veracity of the proceedings. When he learns of Kurtz's legend and finally meets the man, he has come full-circle in his understanding of Africa. By the time he meets with Kurtz's intended he recognizes the appearance that she has believed. She wants to know what her fiancee's final words were and Marlow does the most controversial thing that takes place in the story. He feeds her the same lie that he himself had earlier believed. However, Kurtz, who he had dedicated himself to, was not thinking o

Some common words found in the essay are:
Africa Marlow, Heart Darkness, appearance versus reality, appearance versus, versus reality, heart darkness, kurtz's intended, Conrad's Heart, conrad's heart darkness, european presence, device appearance, truth marlow, conrad's heart,
Approximate Word count = 663
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)