heart of darkness: symbolism of light and dark

A detailed Summary of heart of darkness: symbolism of light and dark

Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness: Symbolism of Light and Dark

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 interconnecte

d and overlapping symbols. Conrad's use of symbolism, metaphors, and irony was necessary in order to convey the story's overall theme.

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be terrified of becoming savage like the Africans that he goes all out in keeping himself and his near surroundings civilized.

Towards the end of the story, Kurtz' death is the epiphany of symbolism. Marlow enters Kurtz' cabin with a burning candle, a producer of light, as he is ranting about his anticipated death. The light from the candle falls short of Kurtz' eyes as he cries, "the horror! The horror!" Marlow soon after blows-out the flame and leaves the cabin with Kurtz to die in the darkness. The light from the candle's flame symbolizes the release of the final thread of sanity Kurtz was holding on to. Kurtz had become a barbarian; he had become a savage.

Marlow's search for Kurtz, the man Marlow all this time was in search for, is finally over. Kurtz had succumbed to the darkness within, becoming a savage. Further glimpses of Kurtz' dark nature when Marlow discovered that on the ground of Kurtz' station; he had set decapitated human heads onto stakes. A mountain of glistening white ivory tusks set in the middle of the grounds. The evil that possessed the land shadows all the areas around Kurtz' thrown of ivory. The symbolism of the white ivory and the darkness enveloping everything around represents the civilized Kurtz,

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Approximate Word count = 983
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English