In Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness," his form of storytelling is widely seen through the use of symbolism. Conrad's character, Marlow, describes Europe and the Europeans using white and light; depicting their civility. Marlow describes Africa and Africans in terms of blackness and darkness, showing the savagery and the horror of the unknown. Conrad further explores this notion of dark and light symbolism through the infamous Mr. Kurtz. As one gets deeper into the story, Conrad breaks apart the common uses of symbolism and transforms these ideas into more complex and personal meanings. Conra...

• Word Count: 1049
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... human characteristics is what Achebe says contributes to the overflowing amount of racism within Conrad's novella. Human expression, is one of few things that make us different from animals, along with such things as communication and reason. This of course, being that without human expression, the native woman is considered more of a "savage...wild-eyed and magnificent," (p. 255), possibly even ... "bestial." In an attempt to refute Achebe's proposed difference between the two women, C.P. Sarvan said that Conrad perceived the native woman as a "gorgeous, proud, superb, magnificent, ter...

• Word Count: 1109
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School