What is the plot of the story the Heart of Darkness?

Heart of Darkness centers around Marlow, an introspective sailor, and his journey up the Congo River to meet Kurtz, reputed to be an idealistic man of great abilities. Marlow takes a job as a riverboat captain with the Company, a Belgian concern organized to trade in the Congo.

What is the main idea of Heart of Darkness?

The superficial themes of the novel are imperialism and cruelty of the European powers. However, the theme of the lack of truth lies at the heart of the text. All the European powers engaged in Africa are occupying their land and plundering resources while propagating it as a civilizing mission.

What is the conflict in Heart of Darkness?

Major conflict Both Marlow and Kurtz confront a conflict between their images of themselves as “civilized” Europeans and the temptation to abandon morality completely once they leave the context of European society.

Is Heart of Darkness a true story?

Conrad’s famous novella is based on a real journey the author took up the Congo in 1890, during King Leopold II of Belgium’s horrific rule. It is a fantastic, imaginative journey to find a man named Kurtz who has lost his mind in the African jungle.

What does Kurtz symbolize in Heart of Darkness?

Kurtz, one of the leading characters, the other being Marlow, the narrator of the soty, represents many symbols in the novel. Firstly, he symbolizes the greed and the commercial mentality of the white people of the western countries. Secondly, he symbolizes the white man’s love of power.

What is the meaning of Heart of Darkness?

The horror.” With these words, Kurtz tries to repent of his evils. It is clear that slavery and the brutality of European colonialism have corrupted Kurtz and turned his heart to darkness. It is he, not the African people, who has become the embodiment of darkness in the book.

Why do the natives worship Kurtz?

In Heart of Darkness, the natives adore Kurtz and worship him as a demigod partly because of his personal charisma, but also because he has superior European technology which they have never seen before.

What does nature symbolize in Heart of Darkness?

For Marlow, while on his journey he finds a great veneration for nature as he sees its raw power when left unchecked by humanity. Eventually, Marlow comes to believe that nature cannot be domesticated or controlled by man due to nature ‘s overwhelming power.

Is Kurtz good or bad?

The primary antagonist in Heart of Darkness is Kurtz, whose descent into madness makes him the clearest embodiment of corruption and evil in the novella, and ultimately the character that fully disillusions Marlow in regard to European conquests. Marlow learns more about Kurtz the further he travels. …

Why Kurtz say the horror the horror?

What do Kurtz’s last words mean? Kurtz’s last words—“The horror! More likely, these words reflect Kurtz’s failure to achieve his many lofty goals and fulfill his destiny, and he cannot help but utter in despair as the emptiness of his own life envelopes him.

Who are the main characters in heart of Darkness?

In Joseph Conrad’s “Heart Of Darkness”,the main character, Marlow, is presented as an outsider and is isolated from the people and the society which surround him. Conrad creates this impression through the use of various literary techniques and by doing this, Conrad conveys an important theme of the novel – isolation.

Should I read ‘the heart of Darkness?

Why you should read Heart of Darkness… 1. Conrad is considered one of the fathers of Modernism – find out why! 2. Conrad’s use of imagery is exquisite. 3. He is considered one of the best English novelists, yet didn’t learn to speak English until he was in his 20’s. 4. This work has inspired writers – from Graham Greene to

Why is heart of Darkness important?

The title Heart of Darkness is significant because it alludes to both the physical darkness and moral darkness present on the river.

What is the meaning of heart of Darkness?

The etymological meaning of the phrase Heart of Darkness is the innermost region of the territory which is yet to be explored, where people led the nomadic and primitive way of living.