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Unit 31: Joseph Conrad — Heart of Darkness

Religion Notes
Although there is controversy over whether Conrad is critiquing colonialism or not, it is clear
that he is critiquing religion. The two groups in the novel, the pilgrims and the natives, are
linked by having religious beliefs, and the pilgrims seem at least as bloodthirsty as the natives.
The rite in the woods that Marlow describes seems alien but certainly no more dangerous than
the ambush. One of the seemingly admirable characteristics of Kurtz, as presented by Conrad,
is that he seems just as compelled by African religion as by Christianity but seems beholden
to neither. Marlow genuinely admires his ability to independently critique religions. He may
not agree with Kurtz’s evaluation, but he respects Kurtz’s ability to have his own opinions in
the face of the various religious traditions he encounters.

Jewelry
Jewelry is a major presence in Heart of Darkeness. To begin with, it is the main reason for the
presence of the colonists in Africa: they are there to strip the country of its ivory. There is a
play on colors between the black people and this white valuable good. The most prestigious
member of the African community and one of the only characters to be afforded individual
characteristics by Conrad is the woman who is presumably Kurtz’s mistress. Her first appearance
is impressive; she is covered in bangles and other “barbarous ornaments.” Her aspect has both
attractiveness and ferocity, and she is the only character in the novella who wears jewelry.
Despite it being the raison d’être of the novella, the other characters have little interest in
jewelry, showing an almost Marxist detachment from the good they harvest.

Illness
Illness is a major factor in this novella. It appears in physical and mental forms. Marlow is
hired to replace a man who committed suicide, and another instance of suicide is announced
by a somber Swedish man. The first thing that Marlow does upon being hired is go to the
doctor, who checks both his mental and physical health and provides a very gloomy prognosis.
The specter of ill health, or of one’s body not standing up to the conditions, is a constant
specter in the novella. The mental health issue is particular to Heart of Darkness, while the
issue of wider health continues in the tradition of Victorian novels, in which men often travel
to Africa only to come down with exotic diseases. In the end, it seems that Marlow is more
mentally than physically taxed, while Kurtz is clearly both.

31.4 Summary

• Heart of Darkness is a novella written by Joseph Conrad. Before its 1902 publication, it
appeared as a three-part series (1899) in Blackwood’s Magazine.
• Joseph Conrad grew up in the Polish Ukraine, a large, fertile plain between Poland and
Russia. It was a divided nation, with four languages, four religions, and a number of
different social classes.
• A ship called the Nellie is cruising down the Thames—it will rest there as it awaits a
change in tide.
• A logical way to begin analyzing the tale is by applying the title to the novel. “Darkness”
is a problematic word with several meanings.
• It also is important to recognize that Marlow is telling a story. His recollections have a
hazy, dreamy quality.

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