Aspects of Human Nature in “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad Essay

Joseph Conrads impudent Heart of Darkness encompasses homoy an(prenominal) themes and concepts dealing with the very genius of humanity and its complexity. This unfermented is set up in two assorted locations, the Thames River and the congou tea River. Conrad uses these two rivers to represent the diametrical cultures that clash in this novel, which ar the civilized and the savages. While exploring these two different worlds Conrad exposes the human nature at its core through the characters in this novel proving that non everything is straightforward and is at it seems. The Thames River located in S byhern England represents the travel European world.In this novel the Europeans regarded themselves as civilized and cultured. On the separate hand, Conrad embeds numerous dark intense imageries to describe this enlightened culture such as violent, death, brooding gloom, and to a greater extent. While the Congo River represents the untamed native inhabitants that be describ ed as utter savagery (Conrad, 1990, p. 4), however the nature that surrounds the Congo is described as mysterious, glittering, and precious. The contrast of these locations and representations reveals different aspects of human nature. One un-admirable tonicity of human nature that is sh avouch is pride.The European characters in this novel had the mentality that they were professional to the natives. Because of their superior status they felt that European Imperialism and the stations set up were meant for humanizing, improving, instructing (Conrad, 1990, p. 29) the uncivilized savages. Instead these civilized European men Christianizing and trying to align the natives to their standards they have succumb to the darkness inwardly the jungle disp mystifying their real nature. some other aspect of human nature faten by the ironic descriptions of the civilized and uncivilized locations is mans destructive nature.There were numerous events in this novel that portrayed mans dest ructive nature due to later(a) motives. An example that destructive behaviors are apart of human nature is when Kurtz raids unnumbered tribes for ivory for the very purpose of gaining wealth and power. Another example of mans destructive nature is when numbers of pilgrims used to turn out in a body hippopotamus and empty every rifle they could lay hands on at him. Some even had sat up onights for him. (Conrad, 1990, p. 25). These men waited for and wasted shots just to kill an old and loose creature not for survival purposes, but for amusement.Conrad enforces the concept of mans destructive nature in the beginning of the novel when he is describing the civilized world. An example on page one Conrad describes the scenery of this superior civilization as The atmospheric state was dark above Gravesend, and farther back still seemed condensed into a wretched gloom, brooding motionless Later on in the novel Marlow reads Kurtz cusp and is led to accept that Kurtz is not another gr eedy, self serving, and power crazed individual like the many characters he has met up with on his journey, but that Kurtz shares the same beliefs that he does.Marlows belief that the purpose of European Imperialism in Africa was to improve the culture and to benefit them equally rather than cause topsy-turvydom for their own personal gain. Marlows excitement to meet Kurtz based arrive at his pamphlet and how well everyone speaks of him is an example of how not everything is straightforward. Kurtz wrote his pamphlet in a way that intrigued Marlow and convinced him that they shared the same beliefs, but when Marlow finally met Kurtz he realized that Kurtz is ill physically and mentally. Trickery and inconsistency is embedded within human nature.As much as one would like to believe that humans are consistent and honest, that is not true and apparent in this novel. The main character is not exempt from human tendencies of inconsistency. Earlier on in the novel Marlow states, I hate , detest, and cant bear a lie, (Conrad, 1990, p. 23). On the other hand at the end of the book he lies to Kurts intended to give her sense of peace and saves her from more upset and grief. Though his reasoning is not selfish he still went against his own beliefs and proves inconsistency.Throughout this entire novel Conrad introduces several European characters that portrayed so many non admirable qualities such as greed, arrogance, envy, vengeance, sloth, and much more. Yet they are considered the civilized ones. Ironically the cannibals and the other natives in this novel show more admirable qualities such as loyalty, hard work, dutiful, strong will, and most importantly restraint. While the civilized men were plotting against one another thinking lonesome(prenominal) of themselves the natives displayed much more safe character. For example, the native tribes that pledged their loyalty to Kurtz were obedient and remained loyal.They would accompany him on expeditions and kill on his command. Another example of honorable qualities portrayed by these uncivilized savages was restraint. The cannibals that assisted Marlow on his journey had been sharp-set for months and never made a move to attack their fellow crew- members. These heathens displayed true character in this situation because It takes a man all his native strength to fight hunger properly. Its really easier to face bereavement, dishonor, and the conflagration of ones soul than this prolonged hunger no earthlike reason for any kind of scruple.Restraint the fact facing me the fulgurant fact. (Conrad, 1990, p. 38). Through the novel Heart of Darkness Conrad portrays and exposes human nature at its best and at its worst. Conrad embeds irony throughout the entire novel to show that not everything is as it seems and that when involving humans there are contradictions. The main extremum that Conrad is conveying to his reader is that technological advances do not make a culture superior or ci vilized, but rather the moral work out that they live by. There is not one culture superior to the other. in any case that each human being is responsible for their own civil or savage behaviors. What makes one civilized is based off of what they do when no one else is around and how they react to any given situation unspoiled or terrible. This novel served as a warning from Conrad of mans true darkness and the human secrets that baffle probability. (Conrad, 1990, p. 37). One is not civilized based on where they grew up, but their reactions to the world they live in. To be civilized is to act with morality, but to be a savage is to wedge the heart of darkness.