“Darkness” is a word of multiple meanings, from being a complete blackness to representing terror and the unknown. On the other hand, “heart” is seen as the center, love, or life of things. In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness the combination of the two words reveals the significance of the title to the world about the true naiveté and ignorance of human beings, the easiness of manipulation of the mind, particularly women, and reminds us that each act toward civilization is an act in barbarism at the same time.
The most common interpretation that can be pulled from the title Heart of Darkness is that Conrad refers to periods in which the continent of Africa was not fully explored and so the journey of Europeans pushing deeper into Africa were …show more content…
The delay causes Kurtz to realize that he will most likely not make it back to Europe alive and so gives Marlow a bundle of papers for safekeeping. Kurtz remarks, “I am lying here in the dark waiting for death.” (71) and finally states his last words “The horror! The horror!” (71) At this moment, Kurtz finally becomes aware of the actions he has committed, how different of a person he was before he entered the “heart of darkness”, and realizes that what the Europeans have done under colonization in the name of progress and civilizing the natives is completely wrong. All the horrors Kurtz witnessed in Africa, the exploitation of the continent and the evil practices of humans along with his crumbling sanity hit him all at once as he dies. It is that single short moment where Kurtz’s ignorance has evaporated and truth hits him, and he realizes the barbarism in his crusade of …show more content…
Marlow finds that she is still in mourning and wishes to learn of the last moments of her beloved Kurtz. However, as Marlow discusses Kurtz, he is angered by the fact that his intended praises Kurtz’s “words…and his example” (77) assuming they are good and filled with the nobility and honor with which Kurtz first began his career in the Company to Africa. This devotion is so absolute that Marlow cannot bear to tell her Kurtz’s true last words and instead states, “The last word he pronounced was- your name” (77). However, this only strengthens her ignorance and naiveté. Kurtz’s intended and women in Heart of Darkness seem to symbolize women at the time, who wish to believe in the greatness of men like Kurtz, but fail to ultimately consider the darker possibilities of their character. Marlow then concludes his story as their ship “seemed to lead into the heart of an immense darkness” (78). While this is not a definite ending, it seems to imply that the darkness of humans will always be there no matter where the location
The most common interpretation that can be pulled from the title Heart of Darkness is that Conrad refers to periods in which the continent of Africa was not fully explored and so the journey of Europeans pushing deeper into Africa were …show more content…
The delay causes Kurtz to realize that he will most likely not make it back to Europe alive and so gives Marlow a bundle of papers for safekeeping. Kurtz remarks, “I am lying here in the dark waiting for death.” (71) and finally states his last words “The horror! The horror!” (71) At this moment, Kurtz finally becomes aware of the actions he has committed, how different of a person he was before he entered the “heart of darkness”, and realizes that what the Europeans have done under colonization in the name of progress and civilizing the natives is completely wrong. All the horrors Kurtz witnessed in Africa, the exploitation of the continent and the evil practices of humans along with his crumbling sanity hit him all at once as he dies. It is that single short moment where Kurtz’s ignorance has evaporated and truth hits him, and he realizes the barbarism in his crusade of …show more content…
Marlow finds that she is still in mourning and wishes to learn of the last moments of her beloved Kurtz. However, as Marlow discusses Kurtz, he is angered by the fact that his intended praises Kurtz’s “words…and his example” (77) assuming they are good and filled with the nobility and honor with which Kurtz first began his career in the Company to Africa. This devotion is so absolute that Marlow cannot bear to tell her Kurtz’s true last words and instead states, “The last word he pronounced was- your name” (77). However, this only strengthens her ignorance and naiveté. Kurtz’s intended and women in Heart of Darkness seem to symbolize women at the time, who wish to believe in the greatness of men like Kurtz, but fail to ultimately consider the darker possibilities of their character. Marlow then concludes his story as their ship “seemed to lead into the heart of an immense darkness” (78). While this is not a definite ending, it seems to imply that the darkness of humans will always be there no matter where the location