Intro Paragraph

In Conrad's Heart of Darkness, Kurtz is implied to be dominant and omniscient--a character whose presence commands respect and awe. However, this does not prove to be the case. In Karl's Introduction to the Danse Macabre: Conrad's Heart of Darkness he writes of "a sense of the absurd gap between what we profess to be and what we are." This idea is, indeed, exhibited in Heart of Darkness. Who Kurtz is, is very different from who Kurtz is said to be. Kurtz is not the fortified character he is portrayed as. In actuality, Kurtz is corrupted with the craze of the Congo jungle. He is cruel, vulnerable, and undeserving of any respect he is given. Contrary to his reputation, he is weak. It can be asserted that Kurtz represents the duality of the unconscious human mind that is promoted by Freud.

Worksheet: #1

The symbol of Kurtz in "The Heart of Darkness" is an important one. On the literal level he is seen as powerful, all-knowing, and persuasive. The men Marlow encounters paint Kurtz to be the wisest man they have ever met. However as the novel and Kurtz's story unfold, Kurtz's weakness begin to surface. The reader truly understands that Kurtz has become obsessed with the lifestyle in the Congo and has allowed for it to destroy him. Kurtz's id has surfaced in the jungle and;therefore, the Congo killed Kurtz.

Essay Ideas

In this paper I want to explore the idea of the "savage" and who, in reality, is the savage in the novel. I will assert that the Europeans are the savages. Despite the Europeans colonizing and bringing "light" to the Heart of Darkness, I will assert that they are, in actuality, the abominable. In this novel, the savage is to be feared. The Europeans, although they feel superior to the natives, fear them as well. They are afraid of the unknown. They would rather morph an entire race of people into what they want rather than deal with change. The natives, too, fear the Europeans (who are the true savages). In both groups the savage represents the unknown.

The Psychological Journey

Marlow's journey into "the heart of darkness" is described mainly through Marlow's accounts throughout the days. Each vivid and lengthy description is full of Marlow's feelings and interpretations of what he sees. The descriptions portray men stripped of all human necessities and Marlow's view of their treatment and state. He mainly is shocked at the savage and wild manor in which people live in. Thus the whole journey described through Marlow's eyes shows his emotional and psychological transformations according to the scenery he sees.

The Significance of the Painting

The painting to me symbolizes a skewed perception of blinded justice. I think the fact that the woman is blindfolded symbolizes ignorance found within this novel. The white men in charge believe they are superior and prevalent over women (and other sectors of society) in this case. The flame/torch that the woman holds signals leadership which is ironic because she is blinded. This is similar to the white men in charge who are ignorantly leading the uncivilized. Marlow obviously disagrees with this sentiment and is shocked at the injustice found within the area. Marlow, too, has been completely oblivious and relatively ignorant of the conditions in these civilized places.

1st Blog of 2011!

I believe Marlow's beginning set up of London "in very old times..." creates a connection to the English colonization of Africa by displaying London as a previous heart of darkness which was unknown and full of savages. Africa now is the heart of darkness where mystery lies due to its unexplored lands. Marlow desires to uncover the darkness which he believes lies in Africa as the Romans did in London. He as an explorer dreams of treasures and an empire that could be. Due to London's growth since the Romans, Marlow believes that something special lies in Africa's heart of darkness.