Heart of Darkness 1

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is a classic novel that captures the story of imperialization during the late 19th  and early 20th century. This book has several unique elements, such as the way the story is told, the central theme of imperialization in West Africa, and the literary devices the author uses in the novel. To begin, this story is told as a first person narrative by a man named Marlow, who is a river boat captain in the Congo. What makes this book unique is the way Conrad tells Marlow's story. The book is written with Marlow as the orator, telling his boat mates about his journey. This device creates an perspective to the book  as the majority of the novel is a monologue. To the reader, this can be  confusing as this unique style of writing presents a different and unusual perception of the evolving story. Another unique element of this novel is  the topic it encompasses. The age of imperialism in Western Africa could be viewed as a dry and complex  topic to read about. However, Conrad is able to capture the subject  in a manner that keeps the reader’s rapt attention throughout the book. He does this by employing the oration by Marlow, the constant use of thought-provoking imagery, and hiding complex symbolism throughout the story. Imagery is a very prominent literary device Conrad interjects beautifully throughout the story line.  He describes the Congo like a stunning portrait that captures everything about the river, the jungle, the native people, and the life as a boat captain. He goes as far as to describe how the flies swarm corpses. This kind of imagery brings the book into a whole new light that manages to capture the reader’s attention. Another unique aspect of Heart of Darkness is the symbolism Conrad uses throughout the book. The two most obvious examples are  ivory and Mr. Kurtz himself. The ivory and its effect on Mr. Kurtz shows how greed grows on a man. Where the ivory represents an easy profit and greed, Mr. Kurtz embodies the effect of greed on a man's soul. This colorful and powerful theme of greed and its relationship to man enriches the storyline.The extensive multilayered symbolism in this short novel is astonishing and adds to the unique qualities of  Heart of Darkness.