What are the characterizations of a civilized person? Is it a person who conforms to a standard social molding, which "we" determine, sophisticated? Is it being education and staying within the societal stereotypes? In Joseph Conrad's 1901 literary masterpiece, Heart of Darkness, these concepts of what is considered to be "civilized" in our European-adopted culture is the main theme of the story. Conrad's theory that when man are taken away from civilization that the true darkness of a man's heart is truly discovered and the "savage" within takes over.

Joseph Conrad uses symbolism to enhance the main theme of the novel by setting certain symbolic elements in opposition to contrasting elements. In order to achieve this, he relies heavily on metaphors. Repeating throughout Heart of Darkness was the contrast between elements representing as being light and elements characterized as being dark. Light carries with it the metaphorical meanings of what is good, true, civilized, and humane. The word darkness and the use of dark elements, epitomize everything that is evil, obscure, and uncivilized. Heart of Darkness is embedded with complex layering of interconnect

Joseph Conrad's novel Heart of Darkness takes on a physical journey through the lightness and the darkness. Marlow is on his quest for the inner truth where he must find the light and the dark within himself. He must find reality, his "self", to be free to understand the complexity of life that surrounds him. Conrad's use of symbolism, metaphors, and irony was crucial in the portraying the overall premise of Heart of Darkness.

Reaching a new city, Marlow's journey through the disease-infested town leads him an epiphany of what is civilized to him. He sees a young scrawny boy sitting underneath a rotting tree. His eyes catch Marlow's as he is drawn into the dark depths of the boy's. A blatant white piece of string is tied around the boy's neck, giving a strong contrast with his dark skin. He meets the company accountant soon after who is contrasting to everything around him. When Marlow saw him he said, "I saw a high starched collar, white cuffs, a light alpaca jacket, snowy trousers, a clean necktie, and varnished boots. No hat. Hair parted, brushed and oiled." The description of the man is compelling, the fact that they are in the middle of Africa and the accountant goes through the trouble to keep his shirt and pants clean and pressed. The way the accountant is portrayed shows how he may know that if he lets his civilized ways slip that his sanity and his soul will slip as well. He might be terrified of becoming savage like the Africans that he goes all out in keeping himself and his near surroundings civ

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Approximate Word count = 1034
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)