Through out heart of darkness we have discussed quite a few themes, but we mostly focused on light versus dark. It is strongly represented through out the entire book and frames many of the other themes such as civilized versus uncivilized. This theme even plays into the title of the book and why the novel may be named "Heart of Darkness".
The book that seemed to show the meaning of the book is where they are traveling back down the river, while Kurtz is dying. It seems to me that the heart of darkness is not necessarily a physical place, such as Africa but instead my be a state of mind. It may be the affect that Africa leaves you with, a dark heart. "It survived his strength to hide in the magnificent folds of eloquence the barren darkness of his heart" (128). This example may be a little too literal as it is saying he had a heart of darkness but it generally shows the point I'm trying to make.Another spot that shows this is the fact that Marlow becomes ill shortly after Kurtz dies. Do you think that the "Heart of Darkness" is more physical or more mental? Why?
After Kurtz has died, Marlow seemed astounded by the fact that he had something to say. Kurtz had a final statement to make before his death, and Marlow feels that he has nothing to leave the earth with after he passes. Which brings up the question, do you think that is really true? Or is Marlow's retelling of this whole journey his mark upon the world?
There are two sides to the fact that Kurtz "had something to say" and "said it" on his death bed (132). It's almost as if he has eaten from the biblical tree of knowledge; there is both a reward and a punishment. On one hand, Kurtz appears to have gained great knowledge and understanding. On the other hand, this knowledge is somehow disturbing, based on the fact that his last words are "The horror! The horror!" (130). Marlow wants this understanding that Kurtz has of life, but has stopped himself from doing it for fear of the punishment.
ReplyDeleteI think you bring up an interesting question about whether the "Heart of Darkness" is more mental or physical. I think it's a combination of both. You mentioned some examples of it being more mental and I see that also when Marlow is describing Kurtz shortly before his death and says " his was an impenetrable darkness. I looked at him as you peer down at a man who is lying at the bottom of a precipice where the sun never shines." This is a description seems to imply both a mental and physical darkness. I think it's also interesting to look at Marlow's journey, starting at the Outer Station, then moving to the Central Station, then the Inner Station. It seems as though these stations might represent the stages of the journey to this "Heart of Darkness."
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ellie that the darkness can be both physical and mental, that the jungle causes insanity, but also is physically dark. This is an interesting connection between the reality and the minds of the characters, Kurtz and Marlow in particular. Both become ill, which serves as a metaphor for madness, but Kurtz dies with his last words, and Marlow stays alive to retell the story again. This creates a distinction between the two of them, adding another layer to their already complicated relationship. After Kurtz's death, Marlow expresses jealousy for Kurtz's ability to leave the world with words, but I agree with Kaya in saying that the story, in some ways, is something that Marlow is leaving the world with. While Kurtz gives us horror, Marlow gives us Kurtz's story, and his own.
ReplyDeleteI believe Conrad's authorial intention is to make the heart of darkness be in the mental realm. Yes there are physical aspects to it but the importance defiantly lies within emotions and the mind. The doctor tells Marlow before he leaves for Africa that the changes take place "inside". I think that although the physical conflicts with the natives may seem to represent the physical, Kurtz contrasts that with a more mental effect. Marlow focuses on the power of Kurtz speech just as much if not more than he does the physical ivory that Kurtz is able to produce. If you were to flip the darkness upon the European's in a antithetical way to this question, the darkness would still be a mental thing. The Europeans are bringing their own sort of Heart of Darkness with them in a colonial mindset that is wreaking havoc on the continent.
ReplyDeleteI have wondered the same thing is "Heart of Darkness" more psychical or mental, I have come to the conclusion that it is a psychical place: the jungle, but can also leave one emotionally effected. The jungle is dark and mysterious place that is hard to read because there isn't a way to truly see past its darkness. I find that Marlow can relate to the jungle because he himself has a hard time opening up. The jungle is a pychical place but it holds more than its surroundings. I believe it could be known as a shield for the africans, behind the darkness is their homes but traveling past the deeps woods is hard for outside visitors. We discussed in class maybe the jungle is a metaphor for the natives, they are judged by their cover however, Marlow can see the psychical appearance. The "Heart of Darkness" can leave you curious about the inside or just leave you with an image, to me Marlow was left with both.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed throughout the book we do not see much emotion in the characters until we reached the end. In my mind Marlow did not "have something to say" because he is not like Kurtz bold and secure. To me what stood out the most was when Marlow showed respect to the cannibals, He left behind a view that most white men did not have: that they were equals, and that is a bold thing to do.
I think that the "Heart of Darkness" is both physical and mental. On one hand, the dark jungles along the Congo River with the Africans slaves represents the darkness physically. He stated in P27 "black shapes crouching, lying, sitting between the trees, leaning aginst the trunks, clinging to the earth, half coming out, half effaced within the dim light, in all the attitudes of pain, abandonment, and despair", describing the environment "dim" and referring to the African slaves as dark figures. On the other hand, the heart of darkness mentally refers to the ill sense of imperialism in Europeans heart. This darkness might be the uselessness or inefficiency of the Europeans, and it might also be the greed hidden behind the light of enlightening the so-called "uncivilized".
ReplyDeleteI dont think Marlowe is astounded by Kurtz speak, more that he is fascinated with the fact that such a man praised for his survival skills/divinity is now about to die. Up until this point, Kurtz has been seen as an invicible as powerful as the jungle, but what Marlowe finds out is that Kurtz has no power at all, rather that he is consumed with the dreams of ivory and conquering the jungle.
ReplyDeleteMarlowe's description, "It was as though a veil had been rent. I saw on that ivory face the expression of sombre pride, of ruthless power, of craven terror-of an intense and hopeless despair. Did he live his life again in every detail of desire, temptation, and surrender during that supreme moment of complete knowledge?" (130) reminded me of that meeting Marlowe had in Brussels with the Alienist and how the Alienist took a peculiar liking to his features. Maybe Marlowe is not so different from European society after all.
Like most people have said, I think that Heart of Darkness is a psychological idea. Its not a concrete thing that you can physcially put your hands on. In this novel Marlows heart of darkness is the jungle and the river, but i think that the heart of darkness is different for everyone. The heart of darkness represents mystery, and secrets, and life. All of which pertain to Marlows story.
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