lighthod The Web of Darkness in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness :: Heart Darkness essays

The Web of Heart of Darkness Marlows wilderness is non vibrant nor majestic, nor is it boisterous in its vitality, illuminating and nurturing its lush bounty inside its sensuous bosom. It is not a wondrous place, intoxicating with radiant warp and a symphony of sounds those who journey into its interior. It is not quiescent nor serene, willing to let out its secrets, easily subdued or tamed. His wilderness is a primeval, mysterious brain-teaser that swallows light and sound, rationality and language, imprisoning them deep at heart its immense folds. It is fascinatingly savage, heavy in its power to mesmerize and lure, and finally to seduce the bearers of a form bubbles from the sacred fire (67). Many had set out to conquer it, pipe dream of creating splendrous empires others had embarked on a quest to extract riches, fame, and glory from deep within its heart yet others had been beckoned by the irresistible call of the unknown. Lucky were those that could sea-coast past i t, veiled...by a slightly disdainful ignorance (68), shielding themselves with the mantle of civilization, strong in their invincibility. Marlow was luckier than most, for the wilderness called to his very heart with its mystery, its greatness, the amazing reality of its conceal life (95) yet he was able to realize in date that it was but an illusion, a deceitful flow from the heart of an impenetrable ugliness (124), and to step back from the edge of the abyss. He was good man in search of purpose and adventure, believing he would find his aspirations by water travel the waters of a mighty river. Upon arriving at his destination he was discourage by the actions of his brethren, by their conquest of the earth, which to him mostly meant taking it external from those who had a different complexion...than themselves (70). Contemptuous of their beliefs and brutal behavior, their greed and deceitfulness, he went in search of a man considered the emissary of pity...science and prog ress (94) believing that in him he would finally find someone to guide him through the tranquility of the land (95). However, the deeper he penetrated into the somber stillness of the wilderness, he could not operate the realization of his vulnerability. In that landscape he could either be sweep off without leaving a whisper or a wickedness behind(114) or infinitely worse, the powers of darkness could claim him for their own (126).