Loneliness takes many forms, not just in the form of physical isolation. The sense of desolation a person feels while in a crowded room, resonates with many. Seemingly a part of human nature since the beginning of civilization, the root of these insecurities comes from the loneliness experienced both in the mind and the soul. In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, solitude can be looked at in many ways, however the probable madness which ensues remains an immutable constant throughout the novel. At one point in the story, Conrad bluntly addresses the inevitability of human desolation, writing “We live, as we dream– alone…” (30). Here, Conrad uses the concept of isolation to highlight the prevalence of seclusion in human nature and alludes to
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Kurtz’s Intended in Heart of Darkness represents this type of forced seclusion. She has some of the most obvious mental repercussions of living in isolation, which is evident when Marlow returns Kurtz’s belongings to her. Being alone for so long, she capitalizes on this opportunity to talk to someone, “ ‘Oh! I must speak … I have had no one’ ” (87). Marlow understands this need of hers and allows her to unburden her soul, “I listened … And the girl talked, easing her pain in the certitude of my sympathy; she talked as thirsty men drink.” (87). The constant and private battle within Kurt’s fiancee begins to drive her insane, and she has no one to share this unrest with. The unknown plagues her mind with what could have been, and her current state of isolation constantly weighs upon her heart, “I perceived she was one of those creatures that are not the playthings of Time. For her he had died only yesterday.” (86). She has a void where Kurtz once resided, and the resulting emptiness forces her to fixate on the memories of him in order to satisfy her …show more content…
As Marlow presses deeper into the “heart of darkness” and collects knowledge concerning Kurtz, many talk of Kurtz’s devotion to procuring profit; however, the Russian man confides in Marlow that, “As a rule Kurtz wandered alone, far in the depths of the forest. ‘Very often coming to this station, I had to wait days and days before he would turn up,’ ” (64). While most other accounts of Kurtz elevate him to a position of divinity, this statement accentuates his humanity and imminent insanity. He searched for solace in the quiet of the jungle, yet this in turn forced him to face his demons on his own. This internal struggle he faces begins to disintegrate his sanity, but not his intellect. When Marlow finds Kurtz in the jungle he reflects, “I wasn’t arguing with a lunatic either… His soul was mad. Being alone in the wilderness, it had looked within itself, and, by heavens! I tell you, it had gone mad … I saw the inconceivable mystery of a soul that knew no restraint,” (77). Throughout all of these explanations for Kurtz’s insanity, the common thread is the presence of both mental and physical
Kurtz’s Intended in Heart of Darkness represents this type of forced seclusion. She has some of the most obvious mental repercussions of living in isolation, which is evident when Marlow returns Kurtz’s belongings to her. Being alone for so long, she capitalizes on this opportunity to talk to someone, “ ‘Oh! I must speak … I have had no one’ ” (87). Marlow understands this need of hers and allows her to unburden her soul, “I listened … And the girl talked, easing her pain in the certitude of my sympathy; she talked as thirsty men drink.” (87). The constant and private battle within Kurt’s fiancee begins to drive her insane, and she has no one to share this unrest with. The unknown plagues her mind with what could have been, and her current state of isolation constantly weighs upon her heart, “I perceived she was one of those creatures that are not the playthings of Time. For her he had died only yesterday.” (86). She has a void where Kurtz once resided, and the resulting emptiness forces her to fixate on the memories of him in order to satisfy her …show more content…
As Marlow presses deeper into the “heart of darkness” and collects knowledge concerning Kurtz, many talk of Kurtz’s devotion to procuring profit; however, the Russian man confides in Marlow that, “As a rule Kurtz wandered alone, far in the depths of the forest. ‘Very often coming to this station, I had to wait days and days before he would turn up,’ ” (64). While most other accounts of Kurtz elevate him to a position of divinity, this statement accentuates his humanity and imminent insanity. He searched for solace in the quiet of the jungle, yet this in turn forced him to face his demons on his own. This internal struggle he faces begins to disintegrate his sanity, but not his intellect. When Marlow finds Kurtz in the jungle he reflects, “I wasn’t arguing with a lunatic either… His soul was mad. Being alone in the wilderness, it had looked within itself, and, by heavens! I tell you, it had gone mad … I saw the inconceivable mystery of a soul that knew no restraint,” (77). Throughout all of these explanations for Kurtz’s insanity, the common thread is the presence of both mental and physical