tz himself—all stand for something bigger than what they are. These symbols make the novel powerful and timeless.
The “White Sepulchre” – Mask of Civilization: Before leaving for Africa, Marlow goes to Brussels. He calls it the “White Sepulchre.” Outside, it is clean and bright. Inside, it hides greed and death. This is a symbol of European imperialism. Europe claims it brings light. In truth, it is hypocrisy. Like a tomb, it looks holy outside, but it holds decay inside. Through this symbol, Conrad shows the false mask of civilization.
The Congo River – The Path to Darkness: The Congo River is the road Marlow follows. It is not straight but full of curves. Marlow calls it,
“An immense snake uncoiled.”
The river is both real and symbolic. It carries him into Africa, but also into the inner heart of man. Every turn hides mystery. Every mile takes him closer to Kurtz. The river is life, but also danger. It is the path to the unknown, to darkness.
Kurtz’s Painting – Blind Civilization: In the Brickmaker’s room, Marlow sees
“A woman, draped and blindfolded, carrying a lighted torch.”
This picture is painted by Kurtz. It is a symbol of Europe. They claim to bring light to Africa. But they are blind. Their torch does not guide. It burns. Imperialism is blind destruction.
The Outer Station – Death and Irony: Marlow sees the French warship firing into the forest. He says,
“Incomprehensible, firing into a continent.”
This symbol shows the waste of the empire. There is no enemy. The shots mean nothing. It is madness. At the same station, he sees black men starving under trees. The empire says it brings order. But Marlow sees only destruction, cruelty, and irony.
Ivory – The Symbol of Greed: Ivory shines white, but in the story, it is black with blood. For the Company, ivory is everything. Marlow says,
“The word ‘ivory’ rang in the air, was whispered, was sighed.”
This shows the madness. Kurtz himself says,
“My ivory, my station, my river.”
Ivory is not beauty here. It is greed, slavery, and corruption. It destroys both the Africans and Kurtz.
The African Jungle – Power of Nature: The African wildlife is not silent. It is alive. It watches the Europeans. Marlow calls the jungle more powerful than men. It breaks the weak and takes over the strong. Kurtz loses himself to it. Thus, the jungle is a symbol of nature’s strength and man’s weakness.
Kurtz’s Last Words – The Final Symbol: Kurtz is not just a man. He is a symbol of imperialism and the human soul. At his death, he cries,
“The horror! The horror!”
These words are more than pain. They are judgment. They are the truth of his life, of imperialism, and of mankind. Kurtz’s words become the greatest symbol of the novel. They stand for the final realization of evil and corruption inside man.
Symbols make “Heart of Darkness” more than a travel tale. The river, Brussels, the warship, the Accountant, ivory, the painting, and Kurtz’s last words—all show the reality of imperialism. Each symbol grows from a real event in Marlow’s journey. They turn the story into a message. Conrad shows that the empire is not light but darkness. Through these symbols, the novel becomes a mirror of human greed and fear.
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