In Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, symbolism is quite prevalently used to portray the development of the heart of darkness. Conrad used a variety of symbols, including characters, objects, and ideologies to demonstrate this. The first narrator and the main protagonist, Charlie Marlow, had contradicting opinions on the colonization of Africa. Conrad juxtaposed these opinions to show the discrepancies between them. The first narrator had a romanticized view of colonization however Marlow believed it to be destructive. Fresleven was another character Conrad used to convey the true heart of darkness, as it is implied that the darkness within Africa corrupted his perspective on life. Agents of the Company, whom Marlow refers to as pilgrims, serve to represent the transition the darkness within Africa to the true heart of darkness within the novel.
The first narrator and Marlow supply contradicting beliefs …show more content…
"Fresleven was the gentlest, quietest creature that ever walked on two legs." (Conrad, Heart of Darkness 17). However, after he had been in Africa, "...engaged in the noble cause..." (Conrad, Heart of Darkness 17), for a number of years, "...he whacked [an] old nigger mercilessly..." (Conrad, Heart of Darkness 17). The man's son killed him with his spear, and Fresleven's steamer left, in a panic that Fresleven's actions would reflect poorly on the whole crew and the Company . When Marlow found his remains, "...the grass growing through his ribs was tall enough to hide his bones." (Conrad, Heart of Darkness 17). Fresleven's situation suggests that Africa has the power to corrupt even the kindest of people. He reflects the power of the jungle on civilized men and represents a possible outcome for Marlow. It is implied that the darkness within Africa corrupted Fresleven's demeanor and turned him into a primitive
The first narrator and Marlow supply contradicting beliefs …show more content…
"Fresleven was the gentlest, quietest creature that ever walked on two legs." (Conrad, Heart of Darkness 17). However, after he had been in Africa, "...engaged in the noble cause..." (Conrad, Heart of Darkness 17), for a number of years, "...he whacked [an] old nigger mercilessly..." (Conrad, Heart of Darkness 17). The man's son killed him with his spear, and Fresleven's steamer left, in a panic that Fresleven's actions would reflect poorly on the whole crew and the Company . When Marlow found his remains, "...the grass growing through his ribs was tall enough to hide his bones." (Conrad, Heart of Darkness 17). Fresleven's situation suggests that Africa has the power to corrupt even the kindest of people. He reflects the power of the jungle on civilized men and represents a possible outcome for Marlow. It is implied that the darkness within Africa corrupted Fresleven's demeanor and turned him into a primitive