Ambiguities Explored in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness Essays

Ambiguities Explored in snapper of Darkness Literature is never interpreted in exactly the same way by dickens different readers. A prime example of a work of literature that is very ambiguous is Joseph Conrads, Heart of Darkness. The Ambiguities that exist in this book be Marlows relationship to colonialism, Marlows changing feelings toward Kurtz, and Marlows lie to the Intended at the end of the story. One interpretation of Marlows relationship to colonialism is that he does not support it. Conrad writes, They were not enemies, they were not criminals, they were postcode earthly now,-nothing but black shadows of disease and starvation, lying confusedly in the greenish gloom (p. 27-28). Marlow says this and is stressing that the so-called savages, or Africans, are universe treated and punish like they are criminals or enemies when in fact they never did anything. He observes the slow torture of these people and is disgusted with it. Marlow feels sympathy for the black people being slaved around by the Europeans but doesnt do anything to change it because that is the way things are. One can see the sympathy by the way that he gives a esurient black man one of his biscuits. To tear treasure out of the bowels of the land was their desire, with no moral purpose at the back of it than there is in burglars recess into a safe (p. 54). This statement by Marlow conveys that he doesnt believe that the Europeans have a right to be stripping Africa of its riches. He views the Jungles of Africa as almost its give living, breathing monster. It is evident that Marlow is one of the few white men on the journey that questions the belief at the time that the natives of Africa are inhu... ...ch open up the readers mind. Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness, raises many questions about society and the human potential for evil. Works Cited and Consulted Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness 3rd Ed. Ed. Robert Kimbrough. New York Norton Critical, 1988 . Edward W. Said, The World, the Text, and the Critic. (Cambridge, Massachusetts Harvard University Press, 1983) 13. Hillman, James. Notes on White subordination Essaying an Archetypal Account of Historical Events, Spring (1986) 29-57. McLynn, Frank. Hearts of Darkness The European Exploration of Africa. New York Carol & Gey, 1992. Meyers, Jeffrey. Joseph Conrad. New York Charles Scribners Sons, 1991. Patrick Brantlinger, Heart of Darkness Anti-Imperialism, Racism, or Impressionism? blame (Fall, 1985) 364.