NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
The point of view from which a story is told positions the reader to perceive experiences in the novel from a certain perspective. This is particularly true for Joseph Conrad s Heart of Darkness. Conrad uses two first person narrators within the text, one within the other; the nameless frame narrator who describes the happenings on board the Nellie, and Marlow an interior character who narrates his adventures in the Congo. These differentiating points of view help to convey the symbolic significance of the impact the exterior landscape has on the interior landscape, or the development of the inner self. Firstly, the use of the two point of views provides the reader with two versions of reality.
At the beginning of the novel, the frame narrator views England s past as one of distinction presenting an idealistic view of imperialism and therefore endorsing the European ideology. While anchored in the Thames, he declares that the river carries with it the dreams of men, the seed of commonwealths [and] the germs of empires. Marlow, on the other hand, challenges this affirmation, suggesting that England has been one of the dark places of the earth. This contradiction shows how complex and multifaceted the truth really is. The focus here shifts from one point of view to another and with this, the readings constructed by the text become altered.
Heart of Darkness projects the image of Africa as a place of darkness the anti-thesis to Europe, which was considered to be the centre of the civilised world. Europeans viewed colonisation as a process of progress and enlightenment. This was essentially the Eurocentric vision of imperialism at that time. Marlow criticises this justification by ridiculing this civilizing mission through the use of sarcasm in statements where colonialism is described as high and just proceedings. Marlow recounts his initial reaction at the sight of the jungle, describing it as a land of lurking death [with] hidden evil.
By personifying the jungle with the dark capacities of the human heart, and by forcing Marlow to react apprehensively to this landscape, Conrad implies that what is externally dark may have its counterpart within the human self. As he ventures deeper and deeper into the jungle, Marlow penetrate[s] deeper and deeper into the heart of darkness. Each experience he encounters tests his capacity to discriminate between what is morally right and wrong. When Marlow witnesses the black shadows of disease and starvation lying confusedly in the greenish gloom, he is horrified at the brutal exploitation of the natives.
Conrad acknowledges restraint as an important aspect of human nature. Marlow struggles to explain the reason for Kurtz s defection from civilisation but then he too begins to lose his identity as a civilised man when he confounded the beat of the drum with the beating of [his] heart. He momentarily loses self-control, expressing his desire to go ashore for a howl and dance. The only thing preventing him from doing so was restraints such as time and work. But Kurtz, having being exposed to the wilderness, is incapable of controlling his unconscious, participating in murder, raids, cannibalism and above all, allowing himself to be worshipped as a God.
Marlow interprets Kurtz s final exclamation of The horror! as a judgement upon the adventures of his soul on this earth. Thus Conrad suggests that the reason for Kurtz s degradation was that he lacked restraint in the gratification of his various lusts. At the conclusion of the novel, it seems that the frame narrator is the only one of those on the ship who is affected by Marlow s tale; in the end the two points of view amalgamate to reinforce England as the heart of an immense darkness.
This cyclical nature provides a sense of closure to the novel. The others (representative of Victorians) on board remain unimpressed as they have been throughout the entire tale their indifferent reaction indicating their collusion with European imperial praxis. Marlow functions as the norm against which the reader can compare the actions of other characters in the novel. He has gained self-knowledge and is the only one who recognises the evils present in society. The reader is therefore positioned by Conrad to realise what those on the ship and European society have failed to see. Conrad suggests parallels between these two parties; both maintain an idealistic image of the imperialistic activities taking place rather than facing up to their delusions and both remain ignorant of man s capacity for evil.
Free research essays on topics related to: points of view, point of view, conrad, heart of darkness, marlow
Research essay sample on Heart Of Darkness Points Of View
