Imagery and Symbolism
Or
Technique of Contrast
In
“Heart of Darkness”
Q: “Heart of Darkness” is a symbolic novel. Discuss some major
symbols used in the novel?
Q: Write a note on Conrad’s use of imagery in “heart of Darkness”.
“Heart of Darkness” is a short but complicated story about the horrible
conditions in Colonial Africa. It also depicts the depths that a man sinks to, when
unbounded by morals and laws. To unveil all this Conrad has really performed and
amazing feast. The novel is based on Conrad’s own experience as the captain of a
West African river steamer in 1980. It reveals the story of Marlow; the protagonist
who travels up the Congo, in search of Kurtz, an ivory agent. The novelist projects
the image of Africa, as “the other world” the antithesis of Europe and therefore
an uncivilized word. It is a journey towards a place where civilized man’s claim of
being “refined” the idealistic notions of “perfection” and “superiority” are really
mocked by triumphant bestiality. Thus projecting that image of civilized man
which is not usually explored. The novel, not the “heart” off man. To perform
such a complex work Conrad has resorted to the use of symbolism and imagery in
the novel. The novelist has invested objects, actions or ideas with a symbolic
meaning. To enhance the implication of symbols Conrad’s use of “imagery” is also
worth praising. As “Heart of Darkness” is about two contrasting worlds the
technique applied by him is mostly of contrast; ironically the “darkness” of Africa
is compared with “light” of Europe but that ‘light’ seems to be getting dim
instead of illuminating it, the darkness seems to prevail under the surface of
everything, even civilized Europe.
As we go through the text of the novel we will observe a consistent contrast,
between black and white; dark and light, death and life, evil and
goodness.ignorace and enlightment and above all the civilized people and the
savages. In “heart of Darkness” there is a real contrast between what is light and
what is dark. These contrasts further refer to our feelings as what is considered
civilized and uncivilized. The “Light” representing a world of civilization,
enlightenment and knowledge, while “dark” are representing uncivilized or
savage side of the world. They very setting and the imagery used in the novel
plays a critical role in describing how Marlow feels about the entire adventure he
endured. The start of the novel prepares the radars for what is to come. At the
beginning of the story there are signs of the misfortune that Marlow arrives at the
Belgian company’s office. The women are knitting Blackwood. This is perhaps a
symbolic warning of what is also present in the civilized world and what we will
confront in Africa; inactivity found in both the worlds. Also the map he sees in the
office is of great interest if we ponder over it, in a symbolic way. Marlow (Conrad)
depicts the map as being “marked with all colors of a rainbow” accepts his
destination. He describes it as “yellow” which in literature is associated with
corruption, decay and evil. Hence, he remarks that he is venturing into the “dead
centre” of the yellow patch. However, the most he witching description is that of
the river. He goes o to say “the river was there fascinating deadly-like a snake”.
This reference also creates a dark image which in turn has an evil interpretation.
The “snake” is a traditional symbol of evil. When Stan in the guise of Serpent
induced evil in and made her disobedient and corrupt. Thus, the “snake” has still
engulfed both the civilized and uncivilized world.
Throughout the rest of the novel, we find this sustained inter-mingling of bright-
dark imagery. The uncivilized Europeans perhaps only at the surface. Marlow, the
narrator speaks of the “wild yelling’s” hands clapping, feet stamping, bodies
swaying, eyes rolling, and beating drums” in his voyage to reach Kurtz. Marlow
speaks of all the dangerous situations he encounters. He also discusses a
conversation he overhears while on the deck of his boat “one evening”. The two
men he overhears talk about the dark images of death. The uncle tells the
nephew of the ominous manner in which the crew, that is now dying was greeted
on the land. He says the native has a “short-flipper”. Marlow also reveals how
savages harbor these great misfortunes to the “civilized” men. On the other
hand, we are also informed of the white’s exploitation of savages in no less than a
brutal way. As Marlow explores the inner post, he comes across many disturbing
examples civilized and uncivilized and their colors. While wandering around, he
runs across a work-camp. The condition of the “black-shapes” is one of the great
despairs. He described them as the people who have withdrawn from the work-
camps in order to die. Marlow says that they are “half affected within the dim
light”. The reference seems to support the idea of light being “good” and
darkness being “evil”. Marlow also calls these people ‘black’ shadows of disease
and starvation”. This quote reinforces the idea that ‘black’ and the ‘dark’ images
projects a life never to be wished for. But the ‘civilized’ man hates his own
shadow because he is there in Africa not to counteract, in fact, exploit the
darkness and be like savages as Kurtz. The images in the final chapter are perhaps
some of the most illumination in the area of defining ‘light’ with civilization and
‘dark’ with the uncivilized. When Marlow also encounters ‘black hole’, sign of
uncivilized world. Marlow also encounters ‘black heads’ on Kurtz’s fence. These
once again present the idea of savagery of black natives is brought to light with
their lust for ivory and how they are armed to protect it. However, one must
remember that the ivory is once again for the whites to use. With the completion
of the mission, Marlow and Kurtz head back in desperate attempt to beat Kurtz’s
death in Congo. While leaving, Marlow screeches the whistle on the boat to ‘scare
off’ the savages who begin to collect on shore. Once again Conrad shows how
whistle of a civilized world scares off the savages.
To sum up, we may say that the technique of impressing is in skillfully utilized by
Conrad in “Heart of Darkness” which is full of symbolic interpretation and
paradox of modern man’s life. The ‘light –dark’ intellect. The two women in
office; the two hens in Africa, the shape of resources, the business minded
accountant and a groaning man, the satanic smile of the manager and idle brick
maker, the cabin of Russian and portrait made by Kurtz____all have deep
allegorical and symbolic significance of ‘seemingly’ contrast of the two
supposedly different wo5rlds. However, when looked in deepe4 way the pattern
of “dark-light imagery is actually reversed. Darkness means truth, whiteness
means artificiality and false hood, and this dark truth is even faced by Kurtz, who
came to Africa with high aims but succumbed to temptation of evil, too strong for
a man (even civilized) to resist. Hence, symbolically speaking “heart of Darkness”
is a journey in the heart of every man_____rather into the darkness of man’s
heart
