Theme Of Civilization In Joseph Conrad's Heart Of Darkness

In Heart Of Darkness Joseph Conrad challenges the readers with the ambiguities of civilization. Conrad suggest that civilization and the Noble Cause are ironic and reveals a shocking reversal of conventional expectations. Heart Of Darkness affirms the gain of self-knowledge and a psychological journey into human experience of Kurtz and Marlow through the internal struggle between restraint and savagery. Kurtz and Marlow realize the cause of Kurtz’s downfall was a lack of moral restraint and a lack of moral connection to heaven or hell; Kurtz was a hollow man. Also, Kurtz’s last word “The horror” fulfills Conrad’s definition of civilization because, Conrad suggests that civilization is a horror, which is an ironic contrast between the appearance of civilization. The horror of civilization is revealed through The Intended and her materialistic motives on sending Kurtz to Africa. Additionally, If Kurtz had indeed died with the name of the Intended on his lips this would have altered Conrad’s strategic use of irony throughout the novel and ultimately, the theme that civilization is not civilized at all would be lost to the readers, Marlow and Kurtz. If Kurtz had said The Intended’s name instead of “The horror, The horror” at his last breath, Conrad’s definition of civilization would have been lost to the reader, Marlow and Kurtz. Marlow is conflicted with Kurtz’s last words but Marlow …show more content…
The women in Heart of Darkness were unaware of what was happening in Africa: “After this I was told to wear flannel…”(Conrad 58). Marlow’s aunt told him to wear long flannel underwear to Africa. This shows that she does not know what Africa is like and what Marlow will be doing there, because Flannel underwear would be very impractical in conditions in