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

Joseph Conrads original internality of Darkness encompasses universey themes and patterns dealing with the truly genius of clementity and its complexity. This unused is coiffe up in two diametrical locations, the Thames River and the Congo River. Conrad uses these two rivers to represent the varied cultures that clash in this novel, which argon the cultivated and the boors. plot of ground exploring these two different domain of a functions Conrad exposes the hu humankind disposition at its core through with(predicate) the char representers in this novel proving that not everything is truthful and is at it seems. The Thames River located in Confederate England represents the advanced European world.In this novel the Europeans regarded themselves as civilized and cultured. On the early(a) hand, Conrad embeds legion(predicate) dark intense imageries to divulge this enlightened culture such as violent, death, contemplative gloom, and more(prenominal)(prenominal) . While the Congo River represents the inhuman native inhabitants that are described as utter unfoundedry (Conrad, 1990, p. 4), plainly the nature that surrounds the Congo is described as mysterious, glittering, and precious. The severalize of these locations and representations reveals different aspects of human nature. One un-admirable part of human nature that is translaten is pride.The European characters in this novel had the mentality that they were brag(p) to the natives. Because of their superior status they felt that European Imperialism and the displace set up were meant for humanizing, improving, instructing (Conrad, 1990, p. 29) the uncivilized savages. kinda these civilized European men Christianizing and trying to conform the natives to their standards they have succumb to the lousiness within the jungle displaying their true nature. some separatewise aspect of human nature shown by the ironic descriptions of the civilized and uncivilized locations is ma ns destructive nature.There were numerous events in this novel that portrayed mans destructive nature collectible to ulterior motives. An use that destructive behaviors are apart of human nature is when Kurtz raids innumerable tribes for ivory for the very purpose of gaining wealth and power. Another drill of mans destructive nature is when numbers of pilgrims utilize to turn out in a body hippopotamus and empty every go bad 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 undecomposed to bolt down an old and innocent shaft not for survival purposes, but for amusement.Conrad enforces the concept of mans destructive nature in the blood of the novel when he is describing the civilized world. An example on page one Conrad describes the vista of this superior civilization as The denudate was dark above Gravesend, and farther stern still seemed condensed into a mournful gloom, brooding motionl ess Later on in the novel Marlow reads Kurtz pamphlet and is led to recollect that Kurtz is not other greedy, self serving, and power crazed individual equal the legion(predicate) characters he has met up with on his journey, but that Kurtz shares the kindred whimsys that he does.Marlows belief that the purpose of European Imperialism in Africa was to advance the culture and to benefit them equ each(prenominal)y rather than cause chaos for their own ain gain. Marlows excitement to meet Kurtz base gain 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 agnise that Kurtz is ill physically and mentally. Trickery and diversity is embedded within human nature.As much as one would like to believe that humans are conformable and honest, that is not true and apparent in this nov el. 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 rule book he lies to Kurts intended to ease off her sense of peace and saves her from more chafe and grief. Though his earthing is not self-seeking he still went against his own beliefs and proves inconsistency. passim 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. so far they are considered the civilized ones. Ironically the cannibals and the other natives in this novel show more admirable qualities such as allegiance, concentrated work, obedient, strong will, and most importantly restraint. While the civilized men were plotting against one another thinking only of themselves the natives displayed much more undecomposed character. For ex ample, 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 help Marlow on his journey had been starving for months and never made a move to besiege their fellow crew- members. These heathens displayed true character in this slip because It takes a man all his inborn strength to fight yearning properly. Its really easier to face bereavement, dishonor, and the nether region of ones soul than this extensive hunger no earthly reason for any kind of scruple.Restraint the event facing me the dazzling 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 ridicule throughout the entire novel to show that not everything is as it seems and that when involving humans thither are contradictions. The main point that Conrad is impartation to his reader is that technological advances do not make a culture superior or civilized, but rather the moralistic code that they live by. There is not one culture superior to the other. overly that each human being is amenable for their own civil or savage behaviors. What makes one civilized is based off of what they do when no one else is nearly and how they react to any given situation good or terrible. This novel served as a warning from Conrad of mans true darkness and the human secrets that thwart 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 embrace the heart of darkness.