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

Marlows Catharsis in core group of phantasm Conrads novel, Heart of Darkness, relies on the historical period of imperialism in order to describe its protagonist, Charlie Marlow, and his struggle. Marlows purification in the novel, as he goes to the congo, rests on how he visualizes the effects of imperialism. This reputation will analyze Marlows change, as caused by his exposure to the imperialistic reputation of the historical period in which he lived. Marlow is asked by the company, the brass section for whom he works, to travel to the congo river and report back to them to the highest degree Mr. Kurtz, a top notch officer of theirs. When he sets sail, he doesnt know what to expect. When his transit is completed, this little trip will have changed Marlow forever Heart of Darkness is a story of one mans journey through the African Congo and the enlightenment of his soul. It begins with Charlie Marlow, along with a few of his comrades, cruising aboard the Nellie, a trad itionalistic sailboat. On the boat, Marlow begins to tell of his experiences in the Congo. Conrad uses Marlow to reveal all the personal thoughts and emotions that he wants to portray while Marlow goes on this excursion of a life cartridge clip. Marlow begins his navigate as an ordinary English sailor who is traveling to the African Congo on a business trip. He is an Englishmen through and through. Hes neer been exposed 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 gullible mentality shared by every European. Marlow as well, shares this naivet in the reservoir of his voyage. However, after his first 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 la st time before 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 benefit a substantial profit by collecting all the drop in Africa. Another manifestation of the Europeans obliviousness towards reality is seen when Marlow is recounting his gamble aboard the Nellie.