FREE ESSAY ON HEART OF DARKNESS

HEART OF DARKNESS

Heart of Darkness 
Matthew Rollings
AP English
Mrs. Kerrigan
In the novella Heart if Darkness by Joseph Conrad Marlow and Kurtz undergo similar
journeys through the most evil and dark regions of their psyche; however, Marlow is able
to realize the darkness inside him and retain his soul before he reverts to a savage
animal-like Kurtz has.
Marlow's disillusionment begins as he arrives on the shore of Africa. When he first
arrives on the coast of Africa he sees a large warship bombarding the overgrown forest
that has encroached on the beach. This firing is random and is only pointless
destruction. He sees the natives, and the people view them as their enemies. Marlow
thinks of them as enemies at first, however when he sees them up close he thinks they are
nothing more than black shadows of disease and starvation. Marlow sees the natives
clinging to the shade which seems cooler and peaceful but when he enters the shade he
realizes it is actually a gloomy circle of some inferno.
Marlow identifies with Kurtz finding many of the same qualities that Kurtz has in
himself. Marlow idolizes Kurtz. Marlow sees a freeness and rebellious quality he wishes
he could possess. Marlow sees that Kurtz has embraced his savage side when he goes and
travels with the native savages. Marlow shows he has the savage qualities as well when he
follows Kurtz into the forest, but not to the extreme Kurtz has. Marlow also shows his
savageness when he is first in Africa when he and his men are carrying a dead man. One of
his men expects to see Marlow kill someone, this man sees that Marlow has the potential
to kill a man.
Marlow realizes that Kurtz is a savage by his actions and behavior. First Marlow is
horrified by the human heads on the poles outside his house. Marlow is also outraged and
upset when Kurtz threatened to kill him if he did not give him the ivory. Kurtz is
willing to kill over a small amount of ivory. Kurtz's viciousness is shown when he
threatens him; because Kurtz does not think, but relies on gut instinct and his survival
skills which have allowed him to survive for this time.
Marlow tries to distance himself from Kurtz in his mind. Marlow tries to make himself
believe that he is not like Kurtz and he will not and can not do the things Kurtz does.
When he follows Kurtz he stays to the edge of the woods not venturing any further. This
represents Marlow's unwillingness to participate in Kurtz's actions and atrocities. 
Marlow realizes that the Congo reveals the evil and savagery in an individual. Marlow
says, I seemed to see Kurtz for the first time...the lone white man turning his back
suddenly on the headquarters, on relief, on thoughts of home, towards his empty and
desolate station. This quote reveals that Kurtz has turned his back on humanity and
society. The brickmaker is jealous of Kurtz's position. When Marlow mentions of Kurtz's
possible advancement to manager the brickmaker suddenly blows out the candle and stormed
outside. Marlow talks with the doctor before his departure to Africa. Foreshadowing is
prevalent in this section where the doctor inquires if there is a history madness in his
family and how people change when they have ventured into the jungle. The manager said
that Kurtz's methods had ruined the district, even though Kurtz is the most productive
person consistently exporting ivory. The manager's complaint shows his jealousy of
Kurtz.
Marlow and Kurtz have similar paths in life, but they each choose a different path.
Marlow sees the progression of the human mind in different people at different times. The
most extreme savageness is Kurtz, while himself is the beginning of the darkness which
lurks in the hearts of all men.