HoD: Essay Idea

For my Heart of Darkness Essay, I would like to examine the effects of the environment and restraint have on the human mind, id, superego, and ego.  While in England, Kurtz was adapted to the social norm set in that society, and was revered as a intelligent man destined for great things.  When he journeyed to Africa to try to enlighten the savages in the land, the european ideals ultimately failed and he was ironically transformed into a savage.  This displays the situational factors that need to be taken into consideration when dealing with ideals and human consciousness.  The wild and chaotic nature allowed Kurtz to alter his mind set to fit the environment that had no restraints, and led to the discovery of his true-self in nature.

Fredrick R. Karl: Heart of Darkness

Karl discusses the extent of corruption people can achieve due to the lack of restraint, specifically, Kurtz.  In Africa, one's primal instincts kick in where it is the survival of the fittest, and where there is no restraint by societal standards.  Kurtz is able to become the ultimate, savage monarch, having complete control of a tribe, despite not having the same background them.  He loses connection with human sympathy as displayed by the heads on stakes that "greet" him every time he steps out of his abode.   

Heart of Darkness: "The Horror! The Horror!"

Which direction is she spinning for you?

When Kurtz says, "The Horror! The Horror!" lying on his death bed, there are many influences that could have caused him to say this.  One view is that Kurtz has had a "flashback" and relived his entire life to see that what he has done was horrendous and barbaric.  Another view is how Kurtz is disgusted by the European culture, taking advantage of others, and how he regrets not being able to live amongst the africans sooner and longer.  No one can tell for sure what Kurtz is thinking when he speaks that famous line; however, I would like to presume that, aside from fearing death coming so soon, he has come to realization that Africa has revealed his inner nature being a monster.  While in the darkness of Africa, his mind had been open to his animalistic behavior, but once on a boat exiting the enlightening area, he has come to see who he really is.  I believe that the irony that Europeans are bringing enlightenment to Africa is that it is actually the opposite.  By journeying into Africa, one can become more enlightened in who they actually are, once in an environment where ones natural instinct comes into play since death can come at any time.

Heart of Darkness Savages

A passage I have decided to focus on, due to its comicalness, is the statement on the cannibals having restraint.  The cannibals are described as "Fine fellows--cannibals--in their place." This label on cannibals being people who savagely eat one another, is a misconception that many of the europeans have.  Commonly, these cannibals eat other humans if they are captured enemies.  The Europeans are actually the ones that have no self-restraint, and are massacring a large amount of elephants to harvest their tusks for piano keys, and severely mistreat and abuse the natives of Africa.  

Heart of Darkness Blind Woman

Kurtz's painting depicts a blindfolded, caucasian woman that is carrying a source of light.  This painting highlights the irony in the English's quest to enlighten the savages in Africa.  There is no doubt that the english had better technology and a acceptable moral code that they wanted to integrate with the Africans; however, they themselves did not follow their own ethical standards, and acted as "savages" when dealing with the Africans.  While the english were saying that they were going to enlighten the Africans by teaching them european customs, they abused and exploited them, with a materialistic goal for money.

Marlow: "Emissary of Light"

Before Marlow's journey to Africa, he sees his aunt.  His aunt describes his role on the journey as a "emissary of light."   This means that Marlow, and the rest of the english migrants, are going to be the ray of enlightenment that will bring the savages in Africa to modernity.  However, Marlow disagrees with this statement and states that he simply wishes to travel their for monetary gain.  This act of self-interest is quite the contrary to what his aunt believes, and displays how the english are simply going to exploit the Africans.  The interactions between the english and africans will consequently lead to an integration of the english ways into Africa, but it seems to be a side effect rather than their goal. 

Heart of Darkness Q.2

In Heart of Darkness, Africa is a land known for being dirty and chaotic, while London is a place known for its elegance and modernity.  However, Marlow reminds the reader that London also faced dark times where bandits ran freely and wildly, when it was being colonized by the Romans.  The role of the people of London have switched though, since they are now colonizing Africa, and see it as a place of anarchy.  This reminder shows that every country/civilization had a starting/dark period of time it faced.