Heart of Darkness is about the dark effects of imperialism in Africa; the Englishmen colonize in Africa with the purpose of taking the ivory. Charlie Marlow, works as a sailor for the company of ivory exportation. During his journey to the Congo, he meets a man named Kurtz, the best-selling agent. In Heart of Darkness, the characters Marlow and Kurtz aid in the portrayal of the theme.
Marlow’s character is slowly revealed in his journey through the Congo. When Marlow arrives at the Costal Station, the first company station, he hears about the top agent ivory trader. Marlow also takes notice that the men of this company work in undesirable conditions. Charlie observes …show more content…
In addition to Kurtz odd actions, reveals the path where he walked on all fours, confirming that Kurtz has lost the sense of knowledge, morality, and mental stability. Kurtz has run away on all fours, and he has lost his mind. As well as the movement of imperialism has led to self-harm when Kurtz is on his death bed, he says ‘The horror! The horror!” (Conrad 68). The evil he has caused has ramifications for his life. “The horror is seen as a verdict on the essential depravity of man and his civilization, and the main object of Kurtz’s condemnation is surely himself, and what he has done” (Adelman 13). He is aware of all the harm he has caused to the savages, and the harm he has done has caused him to go insane. Kurtz’s actions towards the savages have turned him into a …show more content…
A theme in Heart of Darkness is the fascination of the abomination. Marlow is attracted to the darkness of Kurtz, who shows the characteristics of evil, malevolent, egomaniac and lawless. Marlow experiences the evil Kurtz causes to the natives and the egoistic of Kurtz. Although Marlow notices the violent actions made by Kurtz, Marlow is still drawn to meet Kurtz. For example, when Marlow sees the human heads on the fence which increases his curiosity to meet Kurtz. As Marlow travels closer to the Heart of Darkness, it shows situation after situation where Marlow is confronted with evil actions. He does not go back after being confronted by these circumstances. Marlow is put in a position where he must choose what is morally correct, but he is peaked by the curiosity of the malicious acts. The choices Marlow makes emphasize the fascination of abomination and the position of not having a moral stand. Marlow has choices until he has to make, but he is attracted to the darkness of Kurtz. For example, Marlow’s interest in Kurtz after the awful situations he has been confronted with on his journey. Another situation in the novel where Marlow shows the fascination of the abomination as his attraction towards the company. The company’s cruel, evil, hypocrite, brutal actions to the natives shows how they corrupted their society, by calling them “savages” and