Heart of Darkness 13

A detailed Summary of Heart of Darkness 13

In literature, contrasting places are used by certain authors as a way of representing opposed forces or ideas that are central to the meaning of the work. We see this used in Heart Of Darkness by Joseph Conrad as he applies the jungles of Africa, and Europe to develop the concept of "civilization" and "the heart of darkness" respectively. Conrad is attempting to explain how even the most cultured individual can face a decision of morality and ethics when put in a questioning situation like Kurtz, one of the only decent men sent into the jungle to help the natives, is forced to answer.

Europe and Africa differ in many ways, obviously by location, but more importantly, moralistically, how developed they are, and how "civilized" they had become. "Their talk, however, was the talk of sordid buccaneers: it was reckless without hardihood, greedy without audacity, and cruel without courage; there was not an atom of foresight or of serious intention in the whole batch of them, and they did not seem aware these th

In closing, the affect of different settings on the novella Heart of Darkness have had a profound affect on the meaning of the work. Deep in the jungle was an escape from everyday inhibitions brought about by the lessons learned in the educated society. Luckily, most of us are able to play by the rules and keep our precious sanity, but unfortunately Kurtz lacked the limitations taught to him by his European lifestyle needed to hold himself together and stay "civilized" in his very own nightmare, the African Jungle.

All references refer to this edition.

Furthermore, I am lead to explain the meaning of the locations on the novella itself. Kurtz was a very respectable man with visions and aspirations of great success. He could have made his fortune elsewhere, but he chose to impact the world by going right for the gold. Kurtz was drawn into the jungle with plans to civilize the natives. His plans were soon ruined as he became "hollow at the core" (98) lacking self-control and basic morals and beliefs.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Europe Africa, Heart Darkness, Africa Europe, , heart darkness, Books March, Joseph Conrad,

Approximate Word count = 685
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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Heart of Darkness 13

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