The Earth Seemed Unearthly: Discursive Essay

Heart of Darkness Activity

Foreshadowing

“The air was dark above Gravesend, and farther back still seemed condensed into a mournful gloom, brooding motionless over the highest, and the greatest town on Earth”(Conrad, 65).

The darkness that spreads above the port creates an atmosphere of despair and mystery as the novel begins. It is this gloomy atmosphere that serves to foreshadow the hardship and sadness that is soon to come. Conrad paints the initial setting as sinister, drawing a parallel to the corruption that takes place in the Congo as the story develops. Overall, the initial setting of the port serves to represent the sorrow ahead.

“An idea at the back of it; not a sentimental pretense but an idea; and an unselfish belief in the idea—something you can set up, and bow down before, and offer a sacrifice to....”(Conrad, 70).

Marlow suggests that conquest is an idea men will sacrifice themselves for or even worship. The ominous nature of Marlow’s claim suggests that Marlow experienced the dark and consuming side behind conquest. At its core, Marlow’s negative perception of conquest alludes to his future filled with darkness and hardship as he first-hand witnesses such conquest in the Congo. Marlow’s view of conquest is ultimately a sign of the evil to come in his exploration of the company’s pursuits.

Juxtaposition

“I met a white man, in such an unexpected elegance of get-up that in the first moment I took him for a sort of vision. I saw a high starched collar, white cuffs, a light alpaca jacket, snowy trousers, a clean necktie, and varnished boots” (Conrad, 84).

The elegant apparel of the accountant serves as a strong contrast to the misery and filth that Marlow observes throughout the Congo. This juxtaposition of luxury against the crudeness of the natives serves to reveal the accountant's shallowness in which he values appearance over empathy for the natives. In a sense, the grandeur of the accountant's clothes speaks to the immorality of colonization, as natives face hardship and colonizers savor opulence. Conrad’s depiction of the accountant is essentially a criticism of the European culture around colonization.

“Restraint! What possible restraint? Was it superstition, disgust, patience, fear—or some kind of primitive honor? No fear can stand up to hunger, no patience can wear it out, and disgust simply does not exist where hunger is...Restraint! I would just as soon have expected restraint from a hyena prowling amongst the corpses of a battlefield”(Conrad, 116-117).

Conrads highlights the civility and restraint of the Cannibals against the barbaric nature of the white crew, suggesting that the true savages on board the ship are the company agents. Considering the self-control of the cannibals, particularly in contrast to the savagery of the white agents firing weapons into the African shrubbery, it is the cannibals that seemingly represent civility. Conrad juxtaposes the behavior of the natives against that of the whites, to reveal a disparity in mortality. This difference in behavior reveals the increasingly destructive and violent nature of the European conquerors.

Flashback

“Going up the river was like traveling back to the earliest beginning of the world...An empty stream, a great silence, and impenetrable forest”(Conrad, 105).

Marlow’s flashback to his journey up the river serves to illustrate the rawness and intensity of the environment in Africa as Marlow explores. At its core, Marlow distinctly recalls traveling up the river because of the immense impact it has on him, transforming him into a time before civilization. This journey back in time demonstrates Marlow’s disconnect from the environment. In this sense, the experience of traversing through the landscape suggests a European lack of understanding of Africa as a whole.

“I could see the cage of his ribs all astir, the bones of his arm waving. It was as though an animated image of death carved out of old ivory had been shaking its hand with menaces at a motionless crowd of men made of dark and glittering bronze” (Conrad 140).

Marlow’s flashback reveals the utter disgust and horror that filled him upon seeing Kurtz for the first time. The distinct memory of the bony figure of Kurtz serves to reveal the disconnect Marlow felt upon viewing him, feeling as if Kurtz was not in fact human. This sense of repulsion also reveals Marlow’s movement away from his original positive view of Kurtz. Essentially, Marlow’s disgust upon seeing Kurtz further destroys his initial admiration of the man.

Point of View

“Land in a swampy, march through the woods, and in some inland, post feel the savagery, the utter savagery, had closed round him - all that mysterious life of the wilderness...in the jungles, in the heart of men... longing to escape...the surrender, the hate”(Conrad, 69).

Marlow touches upon the perspective of the early Romans’ discovery of Britain, emphasizing the sense of horror and disgust they may have experienced in coming across the new land. The Romans’ aversion to the new landscape parallels later European sentiments as the exploration of Africa and the Congo took place. Seemingly, conquest brings out a sense of disgust and superiority in the conquerors. At its core, by revealing the point of view of the Romans in coming across Britain, Conrad suggests that humans have an inherent tendency to criticize and scrutinize what is perceived to be different.

‘We talked of everything,’ he said, quite transported at the recollection. ‘I forgot there was such a thing as sleep. The night did not seem to last an hour. Everything! Everything!... Of love, too.’ ‘Ah, he talked to you of love!’ I said, much amused. ‘It isn’t what you think,’ he cried, almost passionately. ‘It was in general. He made me see things—things”(Conrad, 134-135).

The Harlequin fundamentally perceives Kurtz to be all-powerful and knowledgeable as Kurtz enlightens him on a range of topics including love. The Harlequin’s infatuation with Kurtz speaks to Kurtz’s distinct ability to influence others. As the Harlequin speaks of Kurtz’s teachings and ability, it is clear that the Harlequin has in a sense been brainwashed to view Kurtz as superior in every regard. Thus, the Harlequin’s perspective of Kurtz reveals insight into Kurtz’s similar success in controlling the natives.

Paradox

“The Earth seemed unearthly. We are accustomed to looking upon the shackled form of a conquered monster, but there—there you could look at a thing monstrous and free”(Conrad 108).

Conrad highlights the strangeness and discomfort sensed by the crew toward the Congo’s environment in characterizing the natural landscape as unearthly. The notion that the Earth itself seemed unearthly reveals the disconnect between the Europeans and the African landscape. Such a disconnect from the environment elevates fears and anxiety about the mystery of the entire journey up the river. At its core, the untamed terrain invokes a sense of wonder from Marlow, who looks upon the surroundings with awe, as the forests and river sprawl free.

“Her face had a tragic and fiercex aspect of wild sorrow and of dumb pain mingled with the fear of some struggling, half-shapred resolve”(Conrad,142).

The emotions of the native women are fundamentally contradictory, revealing the great stress and confusion of the woman as a whole. The paradoxical nature of the native woman's sentiments serves as a representation of Kurtz’s own personality and character, which deteriorated during his time in the Congo. Similar to the obscurity in the native mistress, Kurtz’s purpose is no longer clear as he aimlessly utilizes savagery and murder as a tool to collect ivory for the company. Overall, the conflict between the native woman speaks volumes to the nature of issues with Kurtz.

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Figurative Language

“And this stillness of life did not in the least resemble a peace. It was the stillness of an implacable force brooding over an inscrutable intention. It looked at you with a vengeful aspect”(Conrad, 106).

Conrad personifies the stillness of the Congo environment, suggesting that it resembles something waiting and seeking revenge on another. By bringing to life the sinister calmness in the environment, Conrad emphasizes the sense of fear and anxiety arising due to the African landscape. Considering this, the white crew is not accustomed to the hostile-looking environment, hence fueling their own sense of discomfort in concern for the surroundings. Overall, Conradxf personifies the landscape to reveal the unwelcoming nature of the environment, alluding to its possible effects on the white agents.

“We glided past like phantoms, wondering and secretly appalled, as sane men would be before an enthusiastic outbreak in a madhouse”(Conrad, 108).

Conrad compares the crew to gliding phantoms as they pass a group of dancing natives. The crew’s silent movement past the natives suggests the crew's disconnect with the African landscape and its people. This sense of disconnect only contributes to the crew’s horror as they observe the boisterous group of natives, stirred to sail by without interaction. As a whole, the ghost-like movement past the natives serves to emphasize a European misunderstanding of the culture of the natives in the Congo.

Personification

“The voice of the surf heard now and then was a positive pleasure, like the speech of a brother” (Conrad, 79)

Conrad personifies the sounds of the ocean, suggesting that it resembles the comforting speech of a brother. Marlow’s comfort with the sea, thus reveals his deep connection to the oceans as a traveling sailor. Among the chaos of his journeys and trips, it is the ocean that grounds Marlow and provides a sense of home. In a sense, however, Marlow’s affection for the sea also reflects his own isolation, as he falls back on the oceans rather than on people.

“The wilderness had patted him on the head, and, behold, it was like a ball - an ivory ball; it had caressed him, and - lo! - he had withered”(Conrad, 125).

Conrad personifies the African wilderness, suggesting that it had looked after Kurtz and tended to him. However, it is clear that the supposed nourishment of the wilderness has served to destroy their mental and physical state of Kurtz, nearly killing him. In this sense, the landscape and the environment served to expedite the decay of Kurtz into darkness and inevitably his own demise. Kurtz’s downfall is a direct result of his isolation in the wilderness.

Symbolism

“When the sun rose there was a white fog, very warm and clammy, and more blinding than the night. It did not shift or drive; it was just there, standing all around you like something solid”(Conrad 113).

The fog serves as a representation of the uncertainty and darkness of the time to come. Marlow’s inability to see clearly through the fog symbolizes his own inability to discern the dangers that lie ahead. This obscurity serves not only to endanger Marlow’s sense of purpose but the safety of the crew around him. Similarly, the fog is also associated with the mystery of the voyage toward Kurtz.

“These round knobs were not ornamental but symbolic; they were expressive and puzzling, striking and disturbing—food for thought and also for vultures if there had been any looking down from the sky; but at all events for such ants as were industrious enough to ascend the pole”(Conrad 137).

The severed heads guarding the shack upon the hill represent the mental deterioration of Kurtz who has succumbed to darkness. In a sense, the heads are a symbol of Kurtz’s inner evil, as he grows ever more sinister, killing the natives. The severed heads fundamentally reveal the brutality employed by Kurtz to carry out his goals. Conrad emphasizes such brutality to reveal the savagery behind the European conquest of the natives.

Impressionism

“To me, it seemed as though the mist itself had screamed, so suddenly, and apparently from all sides at once, did this tumultuous and mournful uproar arise. It culminated in a hurried outbreak of almost intolerably excessive shrieking, which stopped short”(Conrad, 113).

Marlow simply reveals his experiences and sentiments as he travels through the mist, leaving an interpretation to the reader. Through Marlow’s depiction of the screeches in the mist, it seems as though the boat is surrounded by natives on the river bank that scream in agony and sorrow. This screeching amongst the obscurity of the mist creates an atmosphere of dread and fear, contributing to a general sense of anxiety. Overall, Marlow’s experience with the screams in the thick fog suggests the hardship and horror that come as the boat travels upriver.

“I made out, deep in the tangled gloom, naked breasts, arms, legs, glaring eyes—the bush was swarming with human limbs in movement, glistening of bronze color. The twigs shook, swayed, and rustled, the arrows flew out of them”(Conrad,121).

Marlow’s description of the natives in the shrubbery of the Congo jungle serves to create an atmosphere of uncertainty and dread as the natives swarm and launch an attack. Considering the obscure movement of the natives and the abrupt launching of arrows, an impression of chaos and violence is created. Seemingly the natives hold a great hatred against the steamboat and crew heading up the river, motivating their attack. Ultimately, Marlow’s description of the natives in the jungle leaves an interpretation up to the reader of the attitude and reasoning of the natives before the attack.

Antithesis

“And at last, in its curved and imperceptible fall, the sun sank low, and from glowing white changed to a dull red without rays and without heat, as if about to go out suddenly, stricken to death by the touch of that gloom brooding over a crowd of men”(Conrad, 66).

The original white glow of the sun is contrasted against its transition to a dull red, revealing a shift to darkness in the overall atmosphere of the story. Conrad highlights the contrast between the beginning white glow and the later dreary appearance of the sun to create an atmosphere of gloom and dread as the novel opens up. The transition to darkness is representative of the evil and despair to follow as Marlow delves into his past. In a sense, the contrast between the vibrant sun and its eventual dull appearance serves to emphasize the tragedy and horror of Marlow’s experience in the Congo.

“This devoted band called itself the Eldorado Exploring Expedition, and I believe they were sworn to secrecy. Their talk, however, was the talk of sordid buccaneers: it was reckless without hardihood, greedy without audacity, and cruel without courage”(Conrad 101).

Conrad utilizes contrasting characteristics to describe the Eldorado Exploring Expedition delineating their utter lack of morality. In suggesting that the group has agreed without audacity or is cruel without courage, Conrad highlights the contrast between decent and indecent virtues, calling attention to the expedition's overall lack of morality. Such a lack of morality contributes to Conrad’s belief that the exploring expedition has no true purpose. Overall, Conrad’s use of antithesis serves to reveal the savage nature of the exploring expedition.