Comment on Conrad’s treatment of evil in “Heart of Darkness.”

Answer

Comment on Conrad’s treatment of evil in “Heart of Darkness.” [NU: 2016]

Joseph Conrad’s (1857-1924) “Heart of Darkness” (1899) is a tale of evil. Evil here is not just in Africa. It is in Europe, in the Company, and in men’s hearts. Through Marlow’s eyes, we see greed, cruelty, and horror. Brussels, the Outer Station, the Central Station, and the Inner Station, each step shows the face of evil. Kurtz’s fall makes it final.

Evil in Brussels: Marlow first goes to Brussels. He calls it the “sepulchral city.” Outside, the city is white and shining. Inside, it hides death and lies. This is the first symbol of evil. Europe claims light and progress. In truth, it is only hypocrisy. The evil here is not in Africa. It begins in Europe, in the very heart of the empire.

Evil in the Outer Station: At the Outer Station, Marlow sees black men dying under trees. They are chained and starved. He says they are,

“Nothing but black shadows of disease and starvation.”

Nearby, a French warship fires into the forest. Marlow says about it, 

“Incomprehensible, firing into a continent.”

This is pure evil. It is violence without reason. It is cruelty without sense. Empire here is not in order. It is murder and waste.

Evil in the Central Station: At the Central Station, Marlow finds his boat broken. Three months pass in repair. In that time, he hears the name of Kurtz again and again. He learns that the Manager and Brickmaker care only for ivory. The Brickmaker calls Kurtz an, 

“Emissary of pity, science, and progress.”

But Marlow knows this is a lie. The truth is greed. The evil here is not open killing. It is envy, rivalry, and selfish fear. Evil wears the mask of “progress.” The Manager fears that Kurtz may replace him. The Brickmaker seeks to rise by flattery and false reports. Neither cares about Africa nor the suffering of the natives.