Heart of Darkness: Context & Writers Techniques

Context

Brief Biography of Joseph Conrad

Early Life:

• Jozef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski was born in 1857 and became an orphan by the age of 12 after his parents died from illnesses contracted during their exile in Siberia for plotting against the Russian Tsar. Sailing Career:

• At seventeen, Conrad travelled to Marseilles and began working as a sailor. He eventually sailed on British ships and became a British citizen in 1886, at the age of 29. Major Works and Personal Life:

• Conrad published his first novel, Almayer's Folly, in 1894. He married Jessie George in 1896 and wrote his best-known works in the years just before and after the turn of the century, including Heart of Darkness (1899), Lord Jim (1900), and Nostromo (1904). Despite critical acclaim, financial success was elusive, and both Conrad and his wife suffered from serious illnesses. Conrad died in 1924.

  

Writing Career:

• Around this time, he changed his name to Joseph Conrad and began publishing short stories in English, his third language after Polish and French. Conrad continued to work as a sailor, spending time commanding a steamship in the Belgian Congo.

The Novel's History

• When and Where Written: Heart of Darkness was written in 1898-1899.
• Publication: The novel was first published in 1899 as a three-part serial in Blackwood's Magazine.
• Initial Reception: Although it received mixed reviews initially, Heart of Darkness is now considered one of the most important works of English literature.

Literary Contexts

Historical and Political Context

• Scramble for Africa: During the late 19th century, European nations were engaged in the "scramble for Africa", competing to colonize the continent. This period was marked by extreme exploitation and brutality, especially in the Belgian Congo, where King Leopold I's rule was particularly harsh.
• Conrad's Experience: Conrad's own experiences as a steamship pilot in the Belgian Congo in 1890 heavily influenced the novel. The atrocities he witnessed there are reflected in the dark themes and moral ambiguities of Heart of Darkness.
• Colonial Critique: The novel critiques European colonialism, exposing the hypocrisy and greed underlying the so-called "civilizing mission" of the colonizers.

Cultural and Social Context

• Victorianism to Modernism: Conrad's work resides in the transition between Victorianism and Modernism. Victorian literature often adhered to strict conventions and polite society, while Modernism sought to break these conventions and explore new literary forms.
• Colonial Literature: Heart of Darkness fits into the genre of colonial literature, where European writers depicted the colonial and imperial activities of their nations. Conrad's novel, however, is notable for its critical perspective on these activities.
• Narrative Techniques: Conrad's use of time and non-chronological narratives was innovative, contributing significantly to the development of Modernist literature.

Philosophical, Religious, and Intellectual Ideas

• Moral Ambiguity: The novel explores the moral ambiguities of imperialism and human nature. Kurtz's character embodies the corruption and darkness that can arise from unchecked power and isolation.
• Critique of Civilization: Conrad questions the very notion of "civilization", suggesting that the veneer of European sophistication hides a much darker, more primitive reality.
• Existentialism: The novel delves into existential themes, contemplating the meaning (or meaninglessness) of life, the darkness within every human being, and the thin line between sanity and madness.

Useful Concepts to Be Aware of in the Novel

• Narrative Structure: The story is a frame narrative, with an unnamed narrator recounting Marlow's tale. This structure adds layers of meaning and emphasizes the themes of storytelling and perspective.
• Symbolism: The novel is rich with symbolism, notably the contrast between light and darkness, which underscores the themes of enlightenment versus ignorance and good versus evil.
• Colonial Critique: Understanding the historical context of European imperialism in Africa is crucial to grasping the novel's critique of colonial exploitation and moral hypocrisy.
• Psychological Depth: The novel explores the psychological effects of isolation and absolute power on individuals, particularly through the character of Kurtz.
• Ethical and Moral Questions: Heart of Darkness raises profound ethical and moral questions about the nature of humanity, the corrupting influence of power, and the true cost of so-called progress and civilization.

Writer's Techniques

Structure and Plot

Framed Narrative

• Heart of Darkness utilises a framed narrative, with an unnamed narrator recounting Marlow's story.
• This structure creates a sense of distance, emphasising the layers of interpretation and the elusiveness of truth.

Quest Structure

• The plot follows a quest structure, with Marlow's journey to find Kurtz resembling a hero's journey.
• As Marlow progresses deeper into the Congo, the journey becomes increasingly symbolic, representing a descent into the human psyche's darker aspects.

Non-Chronological Narrative

• Conrad experiments with non-linear storytelling, using Marlow's retrospective narration.
• This fragmented structure mirrors the chaotic and disorienting experiences of colonial Africa and the psychological complexity of Marlow's journey.

Language and Style

Symbolism and Imagery

• Conrad employs rich symbolism and imagery to convey deeper meanings, such as the recurring motifs of darkness and light.
• The use of vivid and often unsettling descriptions enhances the novel's atmospheric intensity and underscores its themes.

Ambiguity and Irony

• The language in Heart of Darkness is deliberately ambiguous, reflecting the complexity and uncertainty of the colonial experience.
• Irony is a crucial element, with characters and events often being depicted in ways that highlight the contradictions and hypocrisies of colonialism.

Narrative Voice

• The dual narrators (the unnamed narrator and Marlow) create a multi-layered perspective.
• Marlow's introspective and philosophical narration adds depth, revealing his internal conflicts and the novel's moral ambiguities.

Symbols

Darkness and Light

• Darkness symbolizes the unknown, the primitive, and the morally ambiguous aspects of humanity.
• Light is often associated with European civilization, but it is depicted as superficial and hypocritical, hiding the true darkness within.

The Sepulchral City

• The European city, likely Brussels, is described as a "whited sepulcher", symbolizing the facade of civilization that conceals corruption and moral decay.
• This symbol criticises European imperialism, portraying it as a hollow enterprise built on exploitation.

The Congo River

• The river represents the journey into the subconscious and the heart of human darkness.
• It also symbolizes the thin veneer of civilization, with the deeper journey into the jungle revealing the primal instincts beneath the surface.

Kurtz's Last Words

• Kurtz's final words, "The horror! The horror!" encapsulate the novel's exploration of the dark truths about humanity and colonialism.
• This phrase symbolizes Kurtz's realisation of the devastating effects of unchecked power and moral corruption.