Final Heart of Darkness

Having finished Joseph Conrad’s novella “Heart of Darkness” I could comment on many things, like how the book has some sort of hidden meaning in every paragraph, or that the way the book itself is paragraphed makes it difficult to read, or that it comes across very dark and dreary. However, I’m here to talk about the message that can be taken from the entire book, but of course there are dozens of different meanings that a person can pick up from reading it, like; everyone has a darkness inside themselves, or that it intended to bring awareness to the greed and ignorance that consumes us, or perhaps it could be simply saying that there are more then one side to things. Now, I’m under the impression that most people that have read “Heart of Darkness”  consider it to be some sort of sick wake up call to whatever message the dragged out of the book. However, I, myself, have been unable to see any message from the book that I’ve hadn’t already realized. In fear that this will be looked upon as a rant, I should probably explain why I claim to have already learnt of the Messages that “Heart of Darkness” has to offer.

I grew up in a place called Kyuquot. I’ve always referred to it as the west coast of the west coast, because it’s on the west coast of BC’s Vancouver Island. We had an a small Island all to ourselves. Essentially, it was just me and the world which gave me lots of time to think about how myself and everything else thought or worked. I found that this lifestyle was more then enough to find the meanings that Conrad Expressed in “Heart of Darkness.”

Having gotten that off my chest, I should probably move back the task I have been assigned. If I had to give my opinion on what Conrad’s novellas overall message was it would be, that people are often ignorant to how their actions effect others. This book, for those who don’t know, revolves around the protagonist, Marlow. Marlow tells the reader about his journey up the Congo River, and all of the atrocious things he sees on his way. Perhaps the most prominent example is the grove of death where the slaves that had been left to die “were nothing earthly now,-nothing but black shadows of disease and starvation” (Joseph Conrad, 1990). The company in the novella moved into Africa with the soul intention of collecting as much ivory as they could. They completely unaware of the harm that their actions affect the environment and it’s people.

P.S. I just what to make it clear that I do not dislike this book, and that I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a heavy read.

Conrad, Joseph. (1990). Heart of darkness. Heart of darkness and other tales (Pg 156). New York: Oxford University Press Inct.

Communication

In this world there many ways to communicate with each other. The most common ways to communicate are probably by phone, text, online chatting, or simply talking face to face. If the communicating is done properly then one can have a successful relationship with friends or family. however, if  there is, in our society, a lack of communication that causes strife. “Rope” by Katherine Anne Porter and “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway are clear examples of how our society has trouble communicating.

There are many different things that can be the cause of inadequate communication. The cause that is conveyed in “Rope” is stress. Having moved into the country side the couple unable to adjust to the amount of upkeep that is necessary to hold on to their house. Due to the stress, the couple continually engage themselves in arguments that have been completely blown out of proportion. The couples inability to communicate even aroused the impression that the husband was cheating on his wife. When it comes to communicating with each other stress is a killer. Though, it might be more accurate to say that stress causes miscommunication rather then a lack of communication.

In “Hills Like White Elephants” Hemingway relays his message with a story of a couple simply talking to each other. However, saying that they were communicating is incorrect. Though they were talking, neither of their feelings or thoughts were getting across to each other. In the story the girl is pregnant, and wants to keep her child. Whereas, the man wants her to get an abortion. He continually insists that “It’s really an awfully simple operation” (Ernest Hemingway, 2006) and that “It’s really not anything” (Ernest Hemingway, 2006). Due to their failure at communicating, the man is unable to grasp the fact that the girl has no desire to go through with the operation. In the end rather then communicating the couple continue to talk in circles.

Communication errors can occur from a great many of things. Of course, having as many methods of communication as we have today contributes to societies inability to communicate

 

Hemingway, Ernest. (2006). Hills like white elephants. Perrine’s story and structure (Pg 212). U.S.A: Thomson Wadsworth.

 

Heart of Darkness Quote

Within people there is a loneliness that remains with us as we live out our lives. This feeling of solitude is produced by a lack of connection, although a human’s skills of communication are considered to superior among all life forms. Even with all our skill, Joseph Conrad says in The Heart of Darkness, “ ‘it is impossible to convey the life-sensation of any given epoch of one’s existence- that which makes its truth, its meaning- its subtle and penetrating essence, it is impossible. We live, as we dream- alone….’ ”(Joseph Conrad, 1990). Marlow, the protagonist of the story, despite his numerous encounters with people, some of which he respected and others were simply ordinary figures, continues to be alone as he travels up the Congo River. It may be easier for some people to apprehend the feelings of forlorn that people go through, but it is not possible to completely understand how a person feels or thinks. The experience we have from day to day occurrences change us with every moment that we live. Our lives are in flux. Despite these changes people still seek connection, but no matter how many bonds we form with the people around us somewhere deep down there will always remain a feeling of solitude. This loneliness can consume a person with a dream-like trance of self-pity.

 

 

Conrad, Joseph. (1990). Heart of darkness. Heart o darkness and other tales (Pg 172). New York: Oxford University Press Inct.