The fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work.
Hypocracy of Imperialism
Description
Scenes of Cruelty
When Marlowe ventures into the Congo, he sees many people dying and death everywhere. Contrary to imperialistic beliefs of "bettering the society" imperialism seems to have made conditions worse in Africa
No Help
It makes me mad that no one was helping the people.
Marlowe's Kindness
He tried helping by giving food to a native African, but the condition seemed too bad to help.
Darkness in Africans
Their oppression is much worse than just the open criticism of the whites
The Absurdity of Evil
Description
Man with Bucket
Man was carrying around a bucket of water with a hole in it
Blasting the Hillside
Men were blasting the hillside without purpose.
The River
symbol
The Congo allows the Europeans to cross the continent without stepping through the country. Allows white man to be "separate"
Madness
Description
Heart of Darkness
By Joseph Conrad
Characters
Description
Marlowe
Main Character
-modest
-follows his dreams
-ambitious
-naive
- sarcastic/ironic tone
Marlowe's Dreams
He seemed to have wanted to be a sailor since his childhood but I don't think he knew what he was getting into when he decided he wanted to go to the Congo.
Chained Blacks
Criminals were chained together doing work like they were slaves
Sitting Africans
Group of Africans just sat there, dying slowly from disease and starvation
Kurtz
Mysteriously interesting man... A master ivory trader and rainmaker for the Company.
Marlowe Fixes his Boat
Three months of purposeful work, unlike the men blasting the hillside and the man with the bucket.
Marlowe's Modesty
He doesn't want to bother people with his personal story, but he does anyway
Events
Major events that take place in the book.
Brickmaker
He doesn't make bricks (or have the materials to) and doesn't have the need to make bricks. He is actually a spy for the Company and he lives a luxurious life; not that of a mere workman