Psychological Symbolism in Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad relies heavily on the use of symbolism throughout his turn-of-the-century work Heart of Darkness. These symbols set a tone for the story and the reader, to accentuate the incidents being retold by Marlow through the narrator. They develop a greater understanding of the human mind in the context of specific social tensions of the period.

Religion –Marlow refers to the company employees as”pilgrims,” implying that their journey is almost a religious one, with ivory being the god. –Refers to Brussels as the “sepulchral city” –Marlow is described as a “buddha” figure –Mr.. Kurtz is worshipped by the natives Water –normally symbolizes ablution, yet it transports the ship into the “heart of darkness” Snake –symbolizes evil and sin, and the river up which Marlow journeys (the Congo River)

Contrasts Civilized/Uncivilized –The “civilized” Europeans are supposed to “civilize the brutish savages who is least civil of the two? Where did Kurtz fall? Dark/Light –dark symbolizes evil; light, good. The Jungle is dark. –The story is told at twilight; thus the ship and crew are literally going into the darkness. –Gloom covered London and “consumed” the sun. –Marlow blew out his candle at Kurtz’s death. –Women knit black wool –The woman emerges from the darkness in Kurtz’s painting (yet her light is “sinister,” and she remains blind) –The color of the native peoples. –Refers to the natives as “black shapes”

-The story is told on the outskirts of London (Gravesend) -The main events take place in an unnamed territory (supposedly the Congo) -The Congo River is described as “snake- like;”(12) in the conclusion, the Thames leads off into the unknown, the “heart of darkness.”(76) -Africa is the “dark continent:” Marlow recounts how it seemed to him to be “the center of the Earth.” -The map slowly became filled in with names and information GEOGRAPHY “Going up that river was like travelling[sic] to the earliest beginnings of the world…” (35)

HISTORY Symbolism –discuss how the taming of Africa is parallel to the taming of England by the Romans centuries earlier (implicating both are, or were, for the best) –Invocation of the “great spirit of the past” –start from the same river as many other famous expeditions some were successful (the Golden Hind), others were ill- fated (the Erebus and Terror) Background –European race for land in Africa; heightened competition in all areas –King Leopold of Belgium was amassing rubber and ivory through his territories claimed the intention of bringing “light” (religion and civilization) to the “savages” King Leopold II Joseph Conrad

References Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. New York: W.W. Norton & Company