Worksheet blog: The River

Marlow's journey is coursed out by the Congo River. The River leads Marlow from destination to destination. As he travels more he learns about the Congo and the people with him. He is also travling in farthing into darkness wHowever the River is much more then just a River. The River acts as a path to Marlow's inner self. He learns that the people he meets now, he is able to familiarize himself with more than the people back in England. In a way, the river allowed to make connections that were not possible before.

psychological significance of journey

Conrad sets Marlow through a physically exhausting journey through the river and Congo. Marlow's journey quickly becomes a psychological journey, by having to have morals. But as he goes farther and farther into "the heart of darkness" his emotions start to take over and his whole journey is at risk. As the narration of Marlow becomes more disorganized we begin to learn that he is over coming his need for such a stable life style and understands what is is like to live in the Congo. He becomes more sarcastic throughout and shows his change through his narration.

#6

Marlow describes a painting of a women whom is blindfolded and holding a torch. The blindfold and torch are 2 contrasting symbols which Marlow emphasizes. The symbols represent the events going on in Africa and European nations, by showing that Europeans are leading Africans down the wrong path.

#2

Marlow begins 'Heart of Darkness' with the account of "very old times, when the Romans first came here" because it foreshadows the upcoming events of the novel. As the Romans came to London, they colonized the land and became a part of London. His journey to Africa will represent the same type of movement of people into a new world.