Analysis of Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad - Book Report/Review Example

1. What is the “Heart of Darkness” geographically and then symbolically in this story? Cite your sources. The “heart of darkness” can be viewed as simply the geographic location of the Congo. American psychoanalytic critic, Frederick R. Karl, reviews the historical facts of the geographical location as the external African jungle which is modern Zaire. But the “heart of darkness” does not only refer to the wilderness but also symbolizes the character of Kurtz that has become savage and corrupted in the jungle.

It can also be related to the inhumane acts and exploitation that colonizers practice upon the natives that they ruled.2. Describe the unique problems experienced by Kurtz (both the novel and the film), and the nature the “adventure (of war)” for both Marlow and his modern equivalent Captain Willlard.Through his experience in the African jungle, Kurtz has turned into a beast. Perhaps it’s because the environment of the jungle has no restrictions against man’s behavior. Absent the structure of society, its harsh environment pushed Kurtz to insanity and made him succumb to its powers. “. . . the wilderness . . .

seemed to draw him to its pitiless breast by the awakening of forgotten and brutal instincts, by the memory of gratified and monstrous passions . . . this alone had beguiled his unlawful soul beyond the bounds of permitted aspirations.” (112) Kurtz perhaps realizes the depth of his own moral corruption when, as he lays dying, he utters, "The horror! The horror!"3. What is Willard’s/Marlow’s mission? Why does it cause the protagonist inner conflict when his commander tells him to “terminate (Kurtz) with extreme prejudice”?

How is this conflict eventually resolved in the climax of this story? Captain Willard is sent to a dangerous mission to seek out and assassinate the mysterious renegade Colonel Kurtz who has set himself up as a god among a local tribe. The army believes that Kurtz has gone completely insane and Willard's job is to terminate him. Along the way, Willard hesitated as to whether he will kill Kurtz or join him. As Willard continues his journey he becomes more and more like the man he was sent to kill.

His own descent to madness fueled his understanding behind Kurtz’s insanity.4. Describe the physical journey that the hero must complete. Describe the emotional journey. Willard/Marlow undertakes both an outer and an inner journey. The outer journey takes him into the heart of Africa, where he encounters colonial violence. However, Marlow's inner journey—during which he confronts the mysterious Kurtz—brings him to the state of possibly sinking into the depths of moral corruption. But in the end Willard is able to retreat from his descent.

He chose to reenter the civilized world and its framework of morality. 5. What do you believe the jungle symbolizes in this book? What about the boat? The jungle is a very significant symbol in Heart of Darkness. It is more that a setting in the novel. It represents two things: the truth and reality, and the psyche and the twisted torturous and tangled route a man must take for self-enlightenment. The vastness and savagery of the wilderness shows greed and brutality. It exudes a force that beckons the characters to shed the restraints of civilization and to gratify the abominable desires of their hearts.

The wilderness destroys man's pretensions and shows him the truth about himself.6. Explain the importance of ritual and sacrifice in this story. What about the use of drugs? Through his power and influence over the natives, Kurtz has had human sacrifices offered to him. It implies that the absence of law and morality results to violence and cruelty When a man allows himself to be ruled by whatever brutal passions lie within him, violence is commited. Arising from that is the extreme cruelty from an evil heart.

The use of drugs of Col. Kilgore and draftees who prefer to surf and do drugs mirrors the another corruption of men caused by the war. ReferencesWikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 16 October 2007 Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 16 October 2007< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse_Now> Answers.com. 16 October 2007< http://www.answers.com/topic/heart-of-darkness-novel-3> Dunson, David. The Symbol of the Wilderness in Heart of Darkness.16 October 2007 < http://mural.uv.es/rosegar/critica2.html>