Notes on J.Conrad's The Heart of Darkness by Mercedes Czlapinsk.(http://www.helium.com/items/855651-literary-analysis-heart-of-darkness-by-joseph-conrad)

Joseph Conrad's novel, Heart of Darkness, is a frame novel-the narrator writes about Charlie Marlow, who tells of his experience in the Congo from the yawl on the Thames river. Through settings, symbols, and Conrad's impressionist style, Conrad is able to illustrate the impact of Marlow's epiphany on his portrayal of humanity and on his responsibilities to mankind. Conrad's use of a frame novel helps to convey the theme of universal darkness.

In Heart of Darkness, setting helps to portray the theme of universal darkness. Conrad's descriptive passages about the "interminnable waterways" of the Congo and the Thames River show the connection between humanity and darkness (3). Each river flows into one another, and "lead into a heart of immense darkness" (117). This shows that all of humanity is connected through the heart of darkness and the truth.

Conrad's use of symbolism illustrates the central theme of the novel. Kurtz himself is a major symbol in Heart of Darkness. Kurtz is considered a catalyst for change and the symbol for the whites' failure in Africa. Kurtz is unaware of his own darkness and is unable to fight it. His dying words, "the horror, the horror!" depicts the darkness of human souls (116). The contrast between light and dark is also very important to the theme of universal darkness. Light represents the falsehoods and corruption in the world, whereas dark is a symbol for truth. The white ivory is a symbol for the falsehood in the ivory trade as well as the failure of the commerce and that of the white man. The dark natives show the pureness and innocence of mankind, complete foils to the whites. All of mankind is connected through the darkness because everyone lies, even those who are a symbol for truth, and lies help to mask the darkness.

Conrad's impressionistic style helps to convey the theme of universal darkness. Conrad writes heart of darkness as a frame novel. The narrator is telling the story of another man who is telling his story. This allows for Marlow's digressions and for the readers to understand the horror of the darkness for themselves. Conrad's impressionist style permits the reader to experience the journey as Marlow does. As Marlow digs deeper into universal darkness, the reader follows and questions what Marlow questions. Conrad's style helps the reader to build a strong narrative alliance with Marlow because the reader can feel what he feels. This style allows the reader to understand the truth of the darkness.

Conrad's use of a frame novel helps to convey the theme of universal darkness. Through settings, symbols, and Conrad's impressionist style, Conrad is able to illustrate the impact of Marlow's epiphany on his portrayal of humanity and on his responsibilities to mankind.