Write a short note on the theme of “Hollow Men” in Heart of Darkness.

Answer

Write a short note on the theme of “Hollow Men” in Heart of Darkness. [NU: 2016]

Joseph Conrad’s (1857-1924) “Heart of Darkness” (1899) shows not only the darkness of Africa but also the emptiness of men. Marlow sees many people who look important, but inside, they are hollow. They wear the mask of power, but their souls are empty.

Brussels – The White Sepulchre: Marlow first visits Brussels, the “White Sepulchre.” Outside, the city looks bright. Inside, it hides greed. The men who run the Company talk of “progress” and “civilization.” But they only want ivory. They are hollow. They have no pity. Their words are masks. Marlow feels this emptiness from the very beginning.

Central Station – The Manager and Pilgrims: At the Central Station, Marlow meets the Manager. He has no ideas, no genius, but he keeps his health. Marlow says, 

“He had no learning, and no intelligence. His position had come to him—why? Perhaps because he was never ill…” 

He is hollow. The Pilgrims also walk around with staves. They dream of ivory. They quarrel for power. They are greedy but useless. They do no real work. They show how hollow men look when empire rules their hearts.

Kurtz – The Voice of Emptiness: Kurtz at first seems full of promise. He is called, 

“He is an emissary of pity and science and progress.” 

But this is a lie. He becomes a god among the natives, with skulls outside his hut. His heart is empty. His soul is eaten by greed. At death, he cries, 

“The horror! The horror!” 

These are the words of a hollow man who sees the truth too late.

From Brussels to the Congo, Conrad shows hollow men. The Manager, the Pilgrims, and Kurtz are all empty. They speak of light but bring darkness. Their hollowness is the true heart of imperialism.