true pits of the human mind, in search of the true "heart of darkness", which resides not geographically, but is a part of all of us, living under the restraints of society and civilization.

Conrad explores the idea that under the taboos and societal mandates, there is a potential for actions and beliefs that are shocking to the common individual. Yet, if a man is released to do as

he wills, without society to judge him, he can cross into a state-of-being that we consider primal and non-human. Without civilization, one would become an agent free to do whatever he chooses, and will do it willingly.

Conrad demonstrates and hints at this conclusion using several literary devices, ranging from symbolism to the subtle changes in Marlowe, the narrator, that represent his growing distance

from civilization and reality. The strongest device and example of this phenomenon is the transformation of Mr. Kurtz, the director of the Inner Station. In this essay, I will explain and analyze Kurtz's "de-humanity"

, and how effective it is in achieving Conrad's goal. This "deconstruction" of Kurtz culminates with his utterance of the phrase, "The horror! The horror!", as he lay dying. Yet, first we must explain what Kurtz was before he stepped over the edge.

Kurtz had lost all sense of reality and humanity. He lived by no rules, only his will and whim. He allowed the tribes to practice terribly inhuman rituals, which they seemed to offer to Kurtz, himself. The most striking example of Kurtz's complete loss of humanity and his obsession with his image as a deity is presented with Kurtz, who was on his death-bed and unable to walk, literally, crawling on his hands and knees towards the pagan rituals of the natives, which were being offered to him. Marlowe confronts him and we learn that the most shocking part of this man, is that he is aware of what he is doing, and proceeds with it, regardless of his former

In his final words, "The horror! The horror!", Kurtz finally comes to the realization of what he has become. He realizes that he has succumbed to the savagery and inhumane acts that he and the

From the moment Marlowe arrives on the coast of Africa, he hears tales of an incredible man, who runs a trading post deep in the Congo. The accountant at the first station said, "He [Kurtz]

contemporaries. Not only is this a culmination for Kurtz, it is a climax for Marlowe and the reader himself. Marlowe, who had been slipping towards the edge of humanity and his "heart of darkness", sees what awaits at the end of that path and steps back from the edge. The reader recognizes that the Congo is not the "heart of darkness", but it is actually the heart and soul of every human. One learns that the natives in their primitive and brutal ways are actually more pu

Some common words found in the essay are:
Apparently Russian, African Congo, Conrad Kurtz, Inner Station, Society Marlowe, Kurtz Near, Heart Darkness, heart darkness, Africa Kurtz, Customs Kurtz, true heart, horror horror, true heart darkness, kurtz lost, marlowe reader, society civilization, deity kurtz, trading post, tells kurtz, russian speaks,
Approximate Word count = 1202
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)