"Heart of Darkness" has it significant public side, as a heated document on illogical and brutal exploitation. It may be read merely to shock, yet it is evidence of things seen and done.

To attempt to understand the purpose of the story, it is important to first closely evaluate Marlow's character. One would think that Marlow is merely the obvious medium through which we examine the exploitation of the Congo natives and the degradation of Mr. Kurtz, the 'hollow man'. However, "Heart of Darkness" is above

This leads to the conclusion and an attempt to uncover meaning in both "Heart of Darkness" and Marlow as a character. In Marlow's eyes, the most one could desire for out of life is self understanding or self- realization, and that perhaps the most absolute knowledge comes just at the flash of death, as seems to have happened with Kurtz by his last words. Ultimately, it becomes evident that his real journey has been to the center of the human soul.

Acclaiming light, he faces darkness; but a mounting conviction that the darkness of Kurtz and the forest may be his own or that in their internal and external perplexity, he can no longer tell light from dark is reason for concern and uncertainty. Marlow at one point even admits to feeling a certain kinship with the savages on the shore, despite their unfamiliar customs and wild displays. Howling natives correspond to something inside himself; but in spite of everything, professing light he is loyal to Kurtz's darkness. This brings up the obvious questions...what does Kurtz mean by the "horror the horror"(Conrad, 2356), and why does he lie to the Intended?

There is irony in Marlow's unquestioning acceptance of Kurtz's "horror" as a signal of kindness and moral illumination. For all we know, Kurtz may be horrified because his practices and ivory gathering have been cut short-or he may be looking at Marlow. If he is looking at Marlow, is it in disgust or pity?

fense of Kurtz out of loyalty to what is perhaps his own faulty idea of light amounts to defense of darkness and identification with Kurtz. Marlow tells a small to keep the Intended in the dark by preserving her light. But even this light is vague-as her black dress implies. As Marlow spoke to her the room darkened and "only her forehead, smooth and white, remained illuminated by the inextinguishable light of belief and love"(Conrad, 2361).

d grayness that Marlow fears. Conrad plays with these themes at length, sometimes using imagery in traditional

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1336
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)