Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is a classic work of horror fiction. The story, set in the Belgian Congo, follows the journey of protagonist Marlow as he ventures into the African jungle. Along the way, he encounters all manner of dark and terrible things, including the infamous ivory trader Kurtz. The novel is a masterful exploration of the human capacity for evil, and its ability to corrupt even the most well-intentioned people. Heart of Darkness is a must-read for any fan of horror literature.
Even in the cognitive domain, where such positive phrases as “to enlighten” are opposed to negative ones such as “to be in the dark,” conventional expectations are reversed. In Kurtz’s painting, as we saw earlier , “the effect of the torch light on the face was sinister” (Watt 332).
The darkness, then, is not only external but also internal, a state of mind. It represents the primitive, the chaos that threatens to engulf all rationality. Heart of Darkness is thus not only a story about “the horror” in the Belgian Congo; it is also a story about “the horror” within each of us.
We are all potential Kurtzes, driven by our own private demons to commit atrocities in the name of progress and civilization. As Marlow says at the end of the novel, “The horror! The horror!” (Conrad 333). Heart of Darkness is ultimately a study of the human soul, and it is this that makes it such a timeless and universal work of literature.
– Heart of Darkness is a novel by Joseph Conrad, first published in 1899. The story centers around an expedition up the Congo River into the Belgian Congo, in search of a man named Kurtz who has gone mad. The novel is widely considered to be a masterpiece of world literature, and its depiction of the dark side of colonialism has made it required reading in many schools and universities.
– The horror in Heart of Darkness refers to the darkness within each of us, the potential for savagery and atrocity that lurks beneath the surface of civilization. The novel is a study of the human soul, and its timeless themes of morality, isolation, and madness make it one of the most important works of world literature.
Professor Dr. Kim Yung-chul of the Department of English at Korea University discusses Chapter 4 in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, in which Europeans destroy the Congo. The devastation wreaked on the Congo by Europeans prompted Kurtz’s last declaration, “The horror! The horror!” In Heart of Darkness, the horror has been interpreted as a representation of different elements found in the book.
However, the horror in Heart of Darkness is best understood as the physical and psychological state of Kurtz before his death. Watt argues that the horror in Heart of Darkness represents different aspects of situations in the book. He states, “The horror, then, is not simply a response to the external events or objects which Conrad presents. It is rather an emotional reaction to a total situation which includes within itself elements of both the objective and subjective.”
The horror in Heart of Darkness can be seen as an emotional reaction to the total situation, which includes both the objective and subjective. In other words, the horror is not just about what happens in the Congo, but also about how Europeans treated Africans.
The horror in Heart of Darkness is also about how Kurtz is affected by the Congo. Watt argues that “the horror of Heart of Darkness lies in its suggestion that man’s true nature, his essential self, may be monstrous.” In other words, the horror is about what Kurtz has become after being in the Congo. He has become a monster because of the darkness and horror of the Congo.
The horror in Heart of Darkness is also about how Europeans treat Africans. Marlow says that the Africans are “human beings,” but he also says that they are not “beasts.” The Africans are treated like beasts by the Europeans. They are hunted and killed for sport. They are also used as slaves. This treatment of Africans led to the cry of Kurtz’s last words, “The horror! The horror!”
The horror in Heart of Darkness is best understood as the physical and psychological state of Kurtz before his death. He is in a physical and psychological state of darkness because of the Congo. The Congo has destroyed him mentally and physically. He has become a monster because of the darkness and horror of the Congo. This is why the cry of Kurtz’s last words, “The horror! The horror!” is so important. It represents the ultimate destruction that the Congo has brought upon Kurtz.
But, according to me, Kurtz’s final words “The horror! The horror!” reflect on three critical elements. The greed of the colonialists drives him crazy. Europe is dark as hell at this point in history. Kurtz goes to the Congo with good intentions.
He believed that each ivory station should stand as a lighthouse, leading the people of Africa to a better life. He was dubbed a “world genius”: he was an orator, writer, poet, musician, artist, ivory producer, and chief agent of the Inner Station’s ivory company. yet he was also considered a “hollow man,” someone who lacked basic honesty and regard for society. Conrad’s novella Heart of Darkness is based on his own experiences as first mate aboard a river steamer while stationed in the Congo.
The most potent symbol of the tale is undoubtedly Kurtz’s voice, which transforms him from a humble messenger into an avatar for humanity’s deepest fears. As we have seen above, it was basic to comprehend that no man could ever be so totally depraved or insane as to seek obliteration in the jungle without fear of losing his own life.
That was why he had been sent on his one-man mission into the “heart of darkness,” as Conrad called it; and after three days’ travel through territory where even white men were known to die every month, he had died–an event which meant nothing except that he could not tell what had happened to him and thus might attempt again at some later date when things were more tranquil.
The book is set primarily in the Congo Free State during the late 19th century and centers on Marlow, an Englishman who bravely ventures into the heart of the African continent in search of Kurtz, a mysterious figure who has amassed great power through his ivory trade.
Along the way, Marlow witnesses firsthand the horrific atrocities committed by both Europeans and Africans, ultimately leading him to question his own sanity. Heart of Darkness is not only a gripping tale of adventure, but also a powerful critique of colonialism and its effects on both those who wield it and those who suffer under it.
