Essay on Gothicism

Physical Setting

Conrad was deeply fascinated by the circumstances that established men's perseverance and were fascinated by physical realism. This curiosity propelled him into realities that he presented in romantic charm and ' adventurous exaltation' in the novella. The very opening line of the novella, “The sea-reach of the Thames stretched before us like the beginning of an interminable waterway.” sets the eeriness, gloominess, and desolation, perhaps the most significant elements of gothic literature. The portrayal of imperialistic domination presents the natural supremacy of the British over an indigenous group of people from Africa. However, on a deeper study, we can observe the moral failings of the Belgian Empire which can be understood as fundamental anti-imperialism. This juxtaposing presentation of settings is important to understand that the novella is a Gothic tale and thus prepares the readers to subconsciously experience Gothic elements. Needless to mention here that the role of the setting in gothic literature is symbolic which leads to the creation of a tumultuous and unnatural storyline.

As Marlow set forward on his journey to Africa, we can observe his disturbing mindset that was infused by the stereotypical mindset that Europeans had for Africans, he says, “And this also,’ said Marlow suddenly, ‘has been one of the dark places of the earth.”. This also reiterates how Marlow started his journey not with zeal to discover something new about Africa but something dark and sullen. Since the plot evolves from an actual voyage, the enormous and somber tropical bewilderment along the miles of the long river Congo, the small trading clearings, and native people are used to describe the setting for this novel. What is important to notice is that this setting is not just any background, rather it is a dynamically stimulating natural force that employs its very own influence on the unfolding gothic elements to understand human drama created artistically by the author.

“In and out of rivers, streams of death in life, whose banks were rotting into the mud, whose waters, thickened into slime, invaded the contorted mangroves, that seemed to writhe at us in the extremity of an impotent despair.” Again here, we can observe how the setting sets in the negative tone of morbidity while writing about life and death during the journey. Conrad has popularly been known as a modern writer and therefore his work essentially characterizes his thought towards paradox and ambiguity. His thinking and writing are largely conversant by contradiction and vagueness which should not be interpreted as 'ideological fierce-sitting'. Instead, it should be seen as 'an uncompromising commitment to the actual complexities of human experience.”

The description of the Nellie river in Africa as compared to the Thame river creates vivid Gothic imagery. The brightness of the Thames describes the optimistic outlook of the Europeans however, the Nellie river has been shown as a gateway to darkness as this was the only way to connect to Africa. The Gothicism lies in the fact that although the physical description of the river is dark and sullen however it does entice the British to invade this darkness in the deep desire to conquer Africa.

An example of a Gothic setting is the Central Station in the Congo. It was meant to be a symbolic representation of imperial power. “It was on a back water surrounded by scrub and forest, with a pretty border of smelly mud on one side, and on the three others enclosed by a crazy fence of rushes.” The station is tiny and diminutive which is compared to the raw force of the forest. The settings in the plot highlight the stiffness and awkwardness between the agenda of imperialist British and the natural authority of the land that the imperials are trying to conquer.

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In a Gothic setting, it is not necessary to have gothic arches or crypts to manipulate the readers to have the desired impact. Instead, such settings exemplify humanity’s efforts to sustain the illusion of regulating savage forces extrinsic to them and impose a sense of futility on the reader. Marlow and the British company are over-ambitious and consider Africa to provide them an opportunity to progress and conquer it by thinking that they can withstand the wild force of the jungle. Thus, the setting of Heart of Darkness has conditioned the readers to experience the rigidity of Gothicism that Marlow awaits as his impending doom.

Symbols expressing Gothicism

Joseph Conrad strongly professed the fact that every great piece of literature is essentially symbolic. In this story, he has used the symbol of the African continent to present the superficiality of the British people and the ghastly truth of colonialism on both, white and black people. Needless to mention that whenever there is a discussion of post-colonialism, the exotic and darkness of Africa are always there. Since this is a seminal novel of colonialism, the stereotype of Africa is constructed using savage, horrid, and uncivilized people of Africa as gothic elements. Thus, we can define symbolism as, “an object, a person, a situation, an action, or some other element that has a literal meaning in the story but that suggests or represents other meaning.” In this story, the symbols are used to portray Gothicism by reacting against the materialistic and rationalist domination of Western European culture against Africa.

The foremost Gothic symbol is the character of Kurtz. He is a representative of European values which are brutal and agonizing towards others. He is synonymous with the greed and commercial mentality of the British people. His eloquent persuasive and demeanor physique greatly influence the Africans but more than his primitive barbaric facet was visible when he controlled the blacks and whites equally. He manages to create an overwhelming atmosphere of threat and brooding terror which scared the local blacks.

Symbolism can be defined as 'The symbolic use of objects and actions. A literary' symbol' is something that means more than what suggests on the surface. It may be an object, a person, a situation, an action, or some other element that has a literal meaning in the story but that suggests or represents other meaning as well.” It can also signify ideas and abilities by to enunciate a plot by giving figurative meanings that are different from the literal sense. In the 19th century, the contradictory theories in science and culture lead to the loss of unity for purpose and direction in European society. Rationality was overtaking and questioning the faith of the people. A new exemplary view of man and human civilization thought of as materialistic determinism is observed in the case of Marlow who questions the ethicality of Kurtz and criticized the materialistic society. Conrad’s belief is that great work is symbolic.

The very title, “Heart of Darkness “ is symbolic of Gothicism as it is a journey to hell while Marlow's mind is adventurous in nature and aspires to see and discover an unseen part of the world. The name Kurtz a resemblance to the archetypal “evil genius” and a highly gifted individual whose charisma and eloquence leads him to great heights in the dark continent. His character portrays the depravity of human nature and the ability to conquer and control the human heart. However, “The horror! The horror!” said by him towards the climax indicates him to be the dark side of mankind. Kurtz’s illegitimate relationship with a black woman is also a symbol of illusion created to intensify the morbid atmosphere. The representation of ‘Darkness’ has a multitude of interpretations- it presents reality, human nature, and corruption in unsurmountable conditions. When used by Marlow, it represents how the dark continent of Congo affects British people both morally and ethically. It also propounds on the tyrannical intent and symbolizes the greed and commercial bent of mind of the British. It also brings out the hunger of white people for power and possession. Marlow’s description of his African crew members is also full of dark descriptions, “big powerful men, with not much capacity to weigh the consequences,” which pin down Marlow’s hideous perception of Africans to be irrational, savage, uncivilized, and prehistoric man.

Kurtz symbolizes the darker side of mankind. The smuggling of ivory by Kurtz turns out to be the darkest evidence of Gothicism which changes him into a barbaric and tyrannical person. His company with the Africans makes him ruthless and aggressively greedy. A painting in Kurtz’s room, 'I rose. Then noticed a small sketch of oils, on a panel, representing a woman, draped and blindfolded, carrying a lighted torch. The background was somber- almost black. The movement of the woman was stately, and the effect of the torchlight on the face was sinister.' This depicts why there is a specific role for the women in the story as it might have been an idealistic addition to lessen the Gothicism in the story. It also talks about the fantasy role they play and might have brought light to the story as it is depicted in the painting. The blind-fold presents the 'blindness' of the Europeans as they have a superficial understanding of the Africans while the torch shows the way in which Europeans are trying to intervene in the rustic and simple life to bring better and new opportunities for the Africans with a more hideous intention of ruling them. Thus, we may say that this painting is also an extensive symbol of dark