Symbols and motifs in Heart of Darkness

In Joseph Conrad's novel Heart of Darkness, symbols and motifs play a crucial role in conveying deeper themes and exploring the dark nature of mankind. One of the most significant symbols in the novel is the Congo River, which represents the journey into the unknown and the descent into the heart of darkness. The darkness itself is a powerful motif, standing not only for the literal darkness of the African continent but also for the moral darkness within each individual. Kurtz, the enigmatic figure at the center of the story, symbolizes the corruption and madness that lurks in the human soul when confronted with the absence of societal constraints. Overall, symbols and motifs in Heart of Darkness serve to illustrate the complexities of human nature and the profound impact of imperialism in the nineteenth century.

This mind map was published on 16 November 2023 and has been viewed 44 times.