Marlows Catharsis in Conrads Heart of Darkness :: Heart Darkness essays

Marlows Catharsis in Heart of Darkness Conrads novel, Heart of Darkness, relies on the historical period of imperialism in order to describe its protagonist, Charlie Marlow, and his struggle. Marlows catharsis in the novel, as he goes to the Congo, rests on how he visualizes the effects of imperialism. This paper go out analyze Marlows change, as caused by his exposure to the imperialistic nature of the historical period in which he lived. Marlow is asked by the company, the organization for whom he works, to travel to the Congo river and report back to them about Mr. Kurtz, a spend notch officer of theirs. When he sets sail, he doesnt know what to expect. When his journey is completed, this short(p) trip entrust have changed Marlow forever Heart of Darkness is a story of one mans journey through the African Congo and the nirvana of his soul. It begins with Charlie Marlow, along with a few of his comrades, cruising on board the Nellie, a traditional sailboat. On the boat, Marl ow begins to tell of his experiences in the Congo. Conrad uses Marlow to reveal all the personal thoughts and emotions that he wants to present while Marlow goes on this voyage of a lifetime. Marlow begins his voyage as an ordinary English sailor who is traveling to the African Congo on a business trip. He is an Englishmen through and through. Hes never been receptive to any alternative form of culture, similar to the one he will encounter in Africa, and he has no idea about the drastically different culture that exists out there. Throughout the book, Conrad, via Marlows observations, reveals to the reader the naive brainiac sh ard by every European. Marlow as well, shares this naivet in the beginning of his voyage. However, after his graduation few moments in the Congo, he realizes the ignorance he and all his comrades possess. We first recognize the general naivet of the Europeans when Marlows aunt is seeing him for the last time sooner he embarks on his journey. Marlows aunt is under the assumption that the voyage is a mission to wean those ignorant millions from their horrid ways(18-19). In reality, however, the Europeans are there in the name of imperialism and their sole objective is to earn a substantial profit by collecting all the ivory in Africa. Another manifestation of the Europeans obliviousness towards reality is seen when Marlow is recounting his adventure aboard the Nellie.