Blind in the Congo
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The novella Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad delves deep into the souls of men. At the end of this journey is darkness. Conrad uses the idea of darkness as a metaphor for blindness. This theme changes shape as the main character, Marlow, travels deeper and deeper into the Congo and comes closer to a man who has embraced the dark. The forest embodies darkness, and accepts those who are willing to face their own evil nature. Deep inside the forest is Kurtz, who has given in to savagery.
One of the ways Conrad uses darkness in his novella is to express the failure to see outside oneself. This is shown primarily through the European ivory traders who are too caught up in their own ignorance to understand their situation. They colonize Africa as a means to civilize and bring the light of Christianity to the natives, and also to take advantage of the profitable ivory trade. They set up their trade camps deep within the forest, in the land of savages...