Through out the Novel Heart of Darkness, Conrad Makes much use of Symbolism and imagery. One of the obvious motifs he refers to is the Contrast between light and Dark, however Conrad also uses various other images and symbols to enhance his work. Identify
.... Also At the beginning of the final section of Part III, Marlow has just recovered from his near-fatal illness, he says: I was within a hair’s-breadth of the last opportunity for pronouncement, and I found with humiliation that probably I would have nothing to say. This is the reason why I affirm that Kurtz was a remarkable man. He had something to say. He said it. . . . He had summed up—he had judged. ‘The horror!’ He was a remarkable man. In this quote it seems that Marlow has been enchanted by Mr Kurtz, he speaks of Kurtz being a remarkable man, even after witnessing his clear need for power and his obvious insanity he still thinks that Kurtz was a misunderstood being. But Marlow is not the only one that is Enchanted bewildered and bewitched by Kurtz, the men of the Congo are also under his spell: I am not disclosing any of Mr Kurtz Trading Secrets. The narrative goes onto say: The admirer of Mr Kurtz was a bit crestfallen. In a hurried indistinct voice he began to assure me he had not dared to take these-say, symbols- down. For me this seems to be a clear sign that not only is Kurtz the main instructor of not only his own trade but many others, but that he holds more power over the people than the reader knows. This is obvious in the many of the African characters such as Kurtz‘ mistress who is described as superb magnificent and dripping with the trappings of wealth. She is not described as Kurtz mistress in the book but it is clear, how else would this fine bronze woman be able to afford such things. The lack of women in this book and many of Conrad’s other books may well symbolise his thoughts on women and their possible unimportant position in life as this would not be totally off the rails for the time he lived in. Only 3 woman are mentioned in this book two of which are easily overlooked. Kurtz’ mistress, Kurtz’ significant other and Kurtz’ Aunt. All three woman related or in contact with Kurtz. Could this be a representation of the woman in close contact with Conrad. But it could be perceived that the lack of female presence in Conrad’s life instigates the lack of presence in the book. It is possible that the female of the species is something Conrad wasn’t too familiar with, or that he possibly thought that a book of strong male characters was something that would sell. It probably wasn’t any of t...