Heart of Darkness

Heart of Darkness, written by Joseph Conrad in 1899, demonstrates the evil tendencies of the British settlers, as well as the savagery of the native African people. The book tells the story of a sailor who goes into the Congo and sees the dangerous ways of the natives, but also the brutal treatment that one of the settlers gives to those who live in Africa. The story follows the river into the “heart of darkness”, and within it the true nature of men is on full display. Will the darkness overtake the white men, or will the light shine brightly?

Throughout the novel, the themes that Conrad uses to portray his message are the darkness of the human heart, contrasted to the darkness of the continent of Africa itself. “I had a white companion too, not a bad chap, but rather too fleshy… I couldn’t help asking him once what he meant by coming there at all. ‘To make money, of course. What do you think?’ he said scornfully.” “‘This devoted band called itself the Eldorado Exploring Expedition and I believe they were sworn to secrecy. Their talk however was the talk of sordid buccaneers. It was reckless without hardihood, greedy without audacity, and cruel without courage.’” “It had  ceased to be a blank space of delightful mystery-- a white patch for a boy to dream gloriously over. It had become a place of darkness.”