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Heart Of Darkness By Joseph Conrad

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Heart Of Darkness By Joseph Conrad
Abigaile Reece
Bridget Bowser
AP Literature and Composition
April 29th, 2016
The Heart of Darkness
Joseph Conrad's novella The Heart of Darkness presents a theme of physical and spiritual journeys of the novel's protagonist Marlow. Marlow's mental state is tested during his journey into Africa's Heart of Darkness. However on his journey to find Kurtz he struggles with good and evil, and witnessed the savagery of mankind.
Joseph Conrad's novella The Heart of Darkness presents a theme of physical and spiritual journeys of the novel's protagonist Marlow. Marlow's mental state is tested during his journey into Africa's Heart of Darkness. However on his journey to find Kurtz he struggles with good and evil, and witnessed the savagery of mankind. …show more content…
Marlow recalls his expedition of the Congo in a dream like manner. “Mind,” he began again, lifting one arm from the elbow, the palm of the hand outwards, so that with his legs folded before him, he had the pose of a Buddha preaching in European clothes and without a lotus flower” (Conrad ) Marlow's meditation is an example of a spiritual journey.
Marlow’s on an exploration of Africa “Now when I was a little chap I had a passion for maps. I would look for hours at South America, or Africa, or Australia, and lose myself in all the glories of exploration. At that time there were many blank spaces on the earth, and when I saw one that looked particularly inviting on a map (but they all look that) I would put my finger on it and say, 'When I grow up I will go” (Conrad ) Marlow’s on a spiritual journey recalling his childhood dreams of going to the Congo.
Marlow journeys the Congo River deeper and deeper into Africa’s heart of darkness. While on this journey Marlow turns back to his normal self in order to survive the savageness even if it means to go against his beliefs. When Marlow finally finds Kurtz, Kurtz is very ill. “There were rumors that a very important station was in jeopardy, and its chief, Mr. Kurtz was ill.” (Conrad ) Marlow finds himself a changed man when Kurtz dies. While in the Heart of Darkness Marlow becomes a savage, and loses his
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