Heart of darkness setting. Setting in Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad 2022-10-25
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The setting of "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad is a crucial element that adds to the overall mood and atmosphere of the novel. The story takes place in the late 1800s, during the height of European imperialism in Africa. The majority of the action occurs on a steamboat journey up the Congo River, as the protagonist, Marlow, travels deeper into the heart of the continent to find the enigmatic and mysterious Kurtz.
The Congo River itself serves as a metaphor for the journey into the unknown, as Marlow and the other characters venture into the uncharted depths of the African jungle. The river is described as a "great river of silence," and its dark, murky waters are a fitting symbol for the darkness and mystery that Marlow encounters on his journey.
The jungle itself is depicted as a wild and untamed place, full of dangers and unknown terrors. It is a place where the rules of civilization do not apply, and Marlow must rely on his own wits and instincts to survive. The jungle is described as a "green hell," and it is clear that it is a place that is both beautiful and deadly.
In contrast to the wildness of the jungle, the European colonies and outposts that Marlow encounters on his journey are depicted as civilized and orderly, but also corrupt and decadent. The Europeans who live in these colonies are shown to be out of touch with the realities of the jungle and the native populations, and they are obsessed with acquiring wealth and power at any cost.
Overall, the setting of "Heart of Darkness" is a crucial element that helps to convey the themes of imperialism, corruption, and the dangers of the unknown. It is a place where Marlow must confront his own fears and biases, and where he must come to terms with the dark heart of humanity.
Free Essay: Assess the importance of setting in Heart of Darkness
Marlow indirectly suggests by referring to the Roman conquest, that the theme of colonialism has existed since the earliest times of human history. The time period and setting of a novel help the reader see what was going on, often in light of particular historical events. Explore the symbolism of the river itself, the ivory trade, its use for movement, and how it enhances the senses of darkness and danger in the book. This particular setting is the first touch of civilization with wilderness and savagery. Interestingly, though the city is described as the greatest metropolis on earth, it is covered by a dark and gloomy cloud.
Besides holding our hearts together through long periods of separation it had the effect of making us tolerant of each other's yarns-and even convections" 3. Therefore, allowing the reader to draw parallels that the novel is set during the late 1800s. In the first half of the sentence, Marlow reflects on what the ornaments mean and what kind of visual effect they have on the observer. That makes the setting…the Congo. There was no joy in the brilliance of sunshine. Heart of Darkness When you tell someone about a trip you took, what do you say? If good is represented with the white colour, here is Heart of Darkness ivory is the evil part no matter that it is one of the purest and whitest materials in the world. Most critics agree that the film is an important examination of America's military involvement in Vietnam and the potential darkness that lies in all human hearts.
From the story of the naïve young sailor Marlow understands about Kurtz's brilliance and the semi-divine power he exercises over the natives. He had even captained his own riverboat. The quick strikes of boots on the ground echoed like drums through the still air. Marlow develops this notion of Kurtz as a hollow man later in the story. You probably tell them when you went and something about the scenery and the sights you saw. He finds it repulsive that Europeans mistreat African laborers at the stations along the river.
The vegetation on the banks is too thick to see through, and near the Inner Station, natives use it to hide in and shoot from, which adds to the theme of savagery. The number of ridiculous situations Marlow witnesses act as reflections of the larger issue: at one station, for instance, he sees a man trying to carry water in a bucket with a large hole in it. However, as Marlow, and the reader, begin to form a more complete picture of Kurtz, it becomes apparent that his madness is only relative, that in the context of the Company insanity is difficult to define. Heart of Darkness Setting In literature, setting encompasses both the location and time period in which a narrative takes place. In this passage, Marlow is discussing a past voyage. Marlow sees this darkness through the placing of heads on poles, for a man named Kurtz. From the appearance of the ivory trade and the continent of Africa, to the image of Kurtz himself, Conrad clearly shows us that appearances can be deceiving.
Thus, from the beginning of the novella, and even before the beginning if you count the title, the linguistic style promotes a sense of obscurity,indicating thatsomething unwelcome lies on the horizon. Marlow's narrative quickly moves into the Congo, after he gets his appointment as a steamboat captain. This quote gives the reader an understanding of a timeline between Roman rule and British imperialism. Although social mores and explanatory justifications are shown throughout Heart of Darkness to be utterly false and even leading to evil, they are nevertheless necessary for both group harmony and individual security. Heart of Darkness also fits squarely into the genre of colonial literature, in which European writers portrayed the colonialism and imperialism of European nations from Africa to the Far East in the late 19th and early 20th century. Indigenous African people were viewed as savages who needed to be controlled and taught etiquette on behavior. At that time, Europe controlled immense empires around the world, meaning places like the Congo were subject to horrific violence in the service of stripping away and exporting massive amounts of natural resources.
Only the gloom to the west, brooding over the upper reaches, became more sombre every minute, as if angered by the approach of the sun" 4. Marlow respects the man for maintaining a semblance of civility even in the wilderness. He had sunken cheeks, a yellow complexion, a straight back, an ascetic aspect, and, with his arms dropped, the palms of hands outwards, resembled an idol" 3. The setting also reminds the reader through the character of Kurtz of Europe at the end of the Imperialism era. The protagonist explains that as a boy he looked at the blank spaces on the maps and dreamed of exploring them, but the Congo region was no blank space anymore, ironically according to Marlow it has become a place of darkness. Hair parted, brushed, oiled, under a green-lined parasol held in a big white hand. Is there such thing as insanity in a world that has already gone insane? Heart of Darkness centers around the ivory trade along the Congo River, which was huge during the late 1800s.
On silvery sand-banks hippos and alligators sunned themselves side by side. The accountant and his office is the island of salvation for Marlow when he wants to get away from the misery at the station. Civilization is characterized by light and "straight forward facts" while to the wilderness is given the heart of Darkness and freedom. In addition, the novel clearly illustrates the British view of native Africans during that time. For the next eight years, Conrad continued to work as a sailor even spending time commanding a steamship in the Belgian Congo , and continued to write.
He wanted the language of his novella to make the reader feel like they were fighting through the jungle, just like Marlow fought through the jungle in search of Kurtz. This later appears to be the auditor of the protagonist's Marlow's story, so for short he may be called the Auditor. Kurtz has neglected the signals of his heart that evil was inside him. The setting reveals itself to be a mystery within the mystery. It also echoes the cries of the Russian sailor who meets Marlow at his arrival.
Marlow sees danger even before his journey has begun but it doesn't stop him from going to the other setting, the office of the Company. He spends the longest period of time here, since it takes him several months to fix the boat. The Congo River "Going up that river was like traveling back to the earliest beginnings of the world, when vegetation rioted on the earth and the big trees were kings. The nouvelle is not only an adventure story but a political statement as well. In 1896, Conrad married Jessie George.
