Heart of Darkness Book Review

Book Review: Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness

Title: Heart of Darkness
Author: Joseph Conrad
Publishing: Green Integer
Year: October 1, 2003 (original 1890)
Pages: Paperback, 200 pages
ISBN: 1892295490 (ISBN13: 9781892295491)

Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness' is one of the most well-known works among scholars of classical and post-colonial literature. It is thought provoking and ominous, but is also considered to be one of the most highly stylistic in its class. The novel blends the use of narrative, symbolism, deep and challenging characters, and psychological evaluation of the reader (which Conrad is well known for).
Joseph Conrad was born in Berdichev, Poland in 1874. He first became familiarized with English language at age eight; because his father translated works of Shakespeare, Conrad became interested writing. He was an intelligent child, and did well in school. He further studied in Cracow and Switzerland, but his love for the sea beckoned him to explore, sail, and learn a new style of life.
In 1874 he took a job on a ship, and began his lifelong fascination for sea travel. He later got involved in gunrunning in the West Indies; because he liked to gamble, his addiction racked up huge debts which led him to attempt suicide. His brush with death opened his eyes, and he then realized that changes needed to be made in his life.
In 1878 he found himself in England, where he spent the next 16 years of his life in the British navy. This had a profound impact on his writing, and it really developed and deepened his passion for the sea. He found himself as a captain of a steamboat on the Congo River in 1889. His experiences there are what inspired the novel (1902).
Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness' draws a parallel between the physical journey of the main character, Charles Marlow, and his mental or spiritual journey as he travels more deeply into the physical darkness of the African continent; A story within a story. It begins with the frame narrator describing Marlow and friends sitting aboard the boat “Nellie”. Marlow is introduced as a “Buddha” sitting in a meditative pose. The narrative position is then taken by Marlow, who then goes on to recollect his experiences in the Congo.
Since Marlow is an Englishman, on the surface he seems to be supporting and celebrating the popular European attitude towards imperialism. He believes in the civilizing mission carried on by the European nations; however, it can be sensed that he is in horror at the brutality of the mission. Throughout the novel several symbols are scattered representing the greed of the white men; although, the story brings, into sharp contrast, white men as “civilized beings” and the African natives as “brutes”: this being relative to the “darkness marked in the title.
Joseph Conrad notes that the physical journey is then indicative as he becomes increasingly aware of the darkness in the human soul, which is shown in the character of Kurtz. Furthermore, Conrad notes that when Kurtz dies, the darkness reaches its ultimate level, and for Marlow, there is no return. “Between us there was…the bond of the sea. Besides holding our hearts together through long periods of separation, it had the effect of making us tolerant of each other’s yarns—and even convictions. The Lawyer—the best of old fellows—…was lying on the only rug. The Accountant had brought out already a box of dominoes, and was toying architecturally with the bones. Marlow sat cross-legged right aft, leaning against the mizzen-mast. (Conrad 1)”
This indicates a gradual shift of viewpoint from the Western, or civilized, to the uncivilized. In this, Marlow's viewpoint shift foreshadows his meeting with Kurtz. The reader is therefore prepared for an increased contact with darkness as Marlow travels deeper into the physical darkness of Africa. The decay of Kurtz's station indicates not only his absence, but also his lingering influence during the time when he was present at the station: note that the barbarian nature of the natives influenced the Western-born Kurtz and Marlow to a greater degree than their civilization. The novel closes with the indication that barbarism waits just beneath the surface of even the highest civilization. In this, Conrad makes his point regarding the true nature of humanity.
As a result of ruthless colonial exploitation, involuntary servitude, and violence, natives lived in an impoverished state. As many as six million Africans died during the brutal rubber trade, overseen by the Belgians. Many are forced to be "carriers" of baggage, weighing up to 70 pounds, for people on jungle expeditions that need to move cargo from one place to another with few, if any, breaks to stop and rest.
After experience in the Congo, Conrad returned to England in 1891 and worked as a sailor until 1894. He then retired from sailing and spent the rest of his life writing. He died 1924.
This history sets up the action behind the drama in this book, as far as helping to smuggle ivory out, or carry supplies into the jungle nation. The recurring theme of darkness (a symbol for the reality of the society) and fear perpetuate the action, and ultimately envelops the characters that struggle with this dilemma such as Kurtz. The message is the same however: colonization destroys at the native peoples’ expense, close-minded European views perpetuate racism in these nations, and evil is a driving and yet sometimes unnoticed force.