Heart of Darkness Essay: The Concealment of Inner Savagery What does it take to be considered civilized in our society and not a savage? Does becoming an intellectual with a capable amount of knowledge make us civilized? Or is it following the boundaries that society sets for us? The official definition of savagery online is the quality of being fierce or cruel. But in Joseph Conrad’s novel, The Heart of Darkness, the act of savagery can be considered an action that pertain to sinning. Conrad explores these ideas as our main character, Marlow, explores the Africa, the land of savagery. Ultimately, when humans separate themselves from society, the barrier that contains all the aspects that repel savagery, they lose themselves to their inner darkness as their savagery takes over.
A huge chunk of the story is taken place in Africa in the time setting of Leopold’s reign over the Congo River. To many ignorant people in the book, Africa was a land of unknown and also the land of savagery. It was a dark scary place filled with …show more content…
He learns even the brightest and promising man can turn into an outright savage beast. He knows that the civilization would not understand the truth because it is exactly what repels savagery. When Kurtz’s fiancée or the Intended confronted Marlow about what exactly happened in Africa, he lied to her in order to protect her and the barrier that is formed around society. Marlow believed that by telling the Intended exactly what happened, the truth would come out to the open and the civilization would be corrupted as they become the prehistoric man they once were before civilizations were made. Inevitably, resulting in civilized countries like Europe becoming another place filled with savagery and uncivilized people like Africa. Understanding this, Marlow keeps silent about the truth in order to keep the civilization he lives in from turning into a
A huge chunk of the story is taken place in Africa in the time setting of Leopold’s reign over the Congo River. To many ignorant people in the book, Africa was a land of unknown and also the land of savagery. It was a dark scary place filled with …show more content…
He learns even the brightest and promising man can turn into an outright savage beast. He knows that the civilization would not understand the truth because it is exactly what repels savagery. When Kurtz’s fiancée or the Intended confronted Marlow about what exactly happened in Africa, he lied to her in order to protect her and the barrier that is formed around society. Marlow believed that by telling the Intended exactly what happened, the truth would come out to the open and the civilization would be corrupted as they become the prehistoric man they once were before civilizations were made. Inevitably, resulting in civilized countries like Europe becoming another place filled with savagery and uncivilized people like Africa. Understanding this, Marlow keeps silent about the truth in order to keep the civilization he lives in from turning into a