Joseph Conrad The Unforgettable Journey
Uploaded by sls465 on Apr 18, 2007
Joseph Conrad: The Unforgettable Journey
The journey in Heart of Darkness traverses not only unpredictable waters spanning our physical world, but also the paradoxical ocean which exists in the heart of man and all of mankind. Through Marlow's somewhat fanatical eyes and his inner feelings we view the mystery that is humanity, and the blurred line between light and dark. It is a voyage into the deepest recesses of the human heart and mind, leading to epiphany, enlightenment, and finally spiraling downwards into the crevices of a hell existing within each and every one of us. Ian Watt writes: “What makes reading Heat of Darkness so unforgettable is surely the harrowing power with which Conrad convinces us of the essential reality of everything Marlow sees and feels at each stage of the journey.” Although through Marlow Conrad depicts a journey into the Congo, Watt is right about one thing. Conrad’s use of symbolism and wordplay divulge effects at every stage of the journey which forever captivate his readers.
The Heart of Darkness as an entirety is one immense metaphor, whose numerous annexes can be either convoluted or self-evident. Almost every action, object, and character in Conrad's book has a deeper, more relevant meaning behind it, serving as a powerful nudge to bring the reader ever closer to the conclusion that the voyage is indeed an inward one. The first major indication of this is the posture of Marlow as he recounts his journey into the Congo. According to the narrator, "he had the pose of a Buddha preaching in European clothes and without a lotus-flower."(112) This lotus position is one typically used for meditation, which is in fact defined as a spiritual journey promoted by a lucidity of thought. Successful meditation leads to a more discerning understanding of human nature and allows one to contemplate the innermost workings of the mind. Therefore Marlow's stance capitalizes on his true destination, insinuating from the very first pages that his journey is actually within himself. This type of deeper meaning and allusion to such things a meditation is a prime example of Conrad’s ability to evoke power and emotion into ever aspect of the journey.
From the start of Marlow's tale there are a myriad of symbols relating to the places of the subconscious, and the journey intended to discover them. This again is a trademark of Conrad’s writing. For instance, Marlow is...