Thousands of people perished as a result of a deadly category-five hurricane twelve years ago. Similarly, Marlow’s journey forces him to contend with nature’s power. Although the Congo keeps the natives ashore, it still jeopardizes Marlow’s safety. As he travels deeper, the River becomes more threatening, and throughout the remainder of Marlow’s quest, it proves itself to be his adversary.
Literary experts have compared Heart of Darkness’ Congo River to a sanctuary, offering explorers an intermission from the “unspeakable horrors” in the surrounding jungle.
The Congo provides a secure haven for Marlow amidst the heart of darkness. Dr. Ross Murfin—Distinguished Professor at the Dedman College of Humanities—in “Heart of Darkness”: A Case Study …show more content…
Chairman of English Literature at the University of Texas at Austin, Benita Parry, expresses that the boisterous and belligerent Congo fully opposes the intrusive voyagers in her article “Conrad and Imperialism” (262). Parry states that the River acts like the jungle’s immune system—trying to expel the foreign presence of the Europeans. In Lois Lowry’s Messenger, Forest is an animated woodland which resents the nearby villagers. Forest employs poisonous plants and animals to punish and kill the villagers who enter. Like Forest, the Congo begrudges intruders.
The Congo mirrors the natives’ hopefulness that Marlow will leave Africa. According to Martin Green, professor at the University of New South Wales in Dreams of Adventure, Deeds of Empire, the River represents the brown, quarrelsome natives. Green explores the idea that the Congo reflects the aboriginal peoples’ viewpoint that Europeans are a threat, because Kurtz is the only one they have encountered (217). In Tim Kring’s novel Heroes, five select individuals charged with protecting a city use superhuman abilities to control the natural world so that intruders cannot enter. The world around the heroes adapts to reflect their thoughts and emotions. Just as the heroes’ world changes to protect the city, the Congo changes to reflect the natives’ collective
Literary experts have compared Heart of Darkness’ Congo River to a sanctuary, offering explorers an intermission from the “unspeakable horrors” in the surrounding jungle.
The Congo provides a secure haven for Marlow amidst the heart of darkness. Dr. Ross Murfin—Distinguished Professor at the Dedman College of Humanities—in “Heart of Darkness”: A Case Study …show more content…
Chairman of English Literature at the University of Texas at Austin, Benita Parry, expresses that the boisterous and belligerent Congo fully opposes the intrusive voyagers in her article “Conrad and Imperialism” (262). Parry states that the River acts like the jungle’s immune system—trying to expel the foreign presence of the Europeans. In Lois Lowry’s Messenger, Forest is an animated woodland which resents the nearby villagers. Forest employs poisonous plants and animals to punish and kill the villagers who enter. Like Forest, the Congo begrudges intruders.
The Congo mirrors the natives’ hopefulness that Marlow will leave Africa. According to Martin Green, professor at the University of New South Wales in Dreams of Adventure, Deeds of Empire, the River represents the brown, quarrelsome natives. Green explores the idea that the Congo reflects the aboriginal peoples’ viewpoint that Europeans are a threat, because Kurtz is the only one they have encountered (217). In Tim Kring’s novel Heroes, five select individuals charged with protecting a city use superhuman abilities to control the natural world so that intruders cannot enter. The world around the heroes adapts to reflect their thoughts and emotions. Just as the heroes’ world changes to protect the city, the Congo changes to reflect the natives’ collective