Heart of Darkness Essay
... of humanity in the search of civilization, enlightenment and wealth. Conrad further emphasizes his point by placing another black, but “civilized” man side by side in comparison with his own savage nation: Behind this raw matter one of the reclaimed, the product of the new forces at work, strolled despondently, carrying a rifle by his middle. He had a uniform jacket with one button off, and seeing a white man on the path, hoisted his weapon to his shoulder with alacrity…He was speedily reassured and with a large, white, rascally grin and a glance at his charge, seemed to take me into partnership in his exalted trust (Conrad 24-25). In this quote Conrad places emphasis on the reversal of black and white images through the repetition of white as well as by the emphasis of the “white features” on the “civilized” black man. Through such repetition Conrad creates a juxtaposition between the spiritually white (oppressed blacks) and the spiritually black (“civilized” black man) ultimately reversing the role of the black and white. The reversal of the colour white is a constant reoccurrence throughout the novel Heart of Darkness. Conrad is able to introduce the concept to readers in a very subtle way near the beginning of the novel by writing, “In a few hours I arrived in a city that always makes me think of a white sepulchre” (Conrad 14). Conrad’s relation of the city to a burial tomb is a primary example of colour reversal in the novel. Just like a tomb the city can be deceptive on the outside, but on the inside only the dark stench of death is lurking. Marlow himself comes to this realization as he enters a building in the city: I began to feel slightly uneasy. You know I am not used to such ceremonies and there was something ominous in the atmosphere. It was just as though I had been let into some conspiracy—I don’t know—something not quite right; and I was glad to get out (Conrad 15). In this quote Marlow describes the deep and dark feelings he begins to experience as he enters the white building. Further significance is very evident of this image as well. Conrads image of the sepulchre is very similar in essence to the white men in the novel. Although the men are white, a colour which usually stands for such things a peace and purity internally they are as empty as a real sepulchre or burial tomb. They are said to be “hollow men”. The reversal of black and white images add a deeper spiritual dimension to Conrad’s novel as well as interest to readers. Joseph Conrad continually uses symbols in his novel to illustrate the reversal of black and white in his novel Heart of Darkness. A superior example of such symbolism is depicted by Conrad in very detailed manner: The black bones reclined at full length with one shoulder against the tree, and slowly the eyelids rose and the sunken eyes looke...