Heart of Darkness: Analysis of Title and Marlow's Journey

The Heart of Darkness presents attitudes of the world from the ninteenth-century: Europe being the epitome of goodness whereas Africa is the region of darkness and despair. The alleged reason for European colonization during this time people is to implement order and civilization and to discover final prosperity. Many view during this time that it is a white European’s duty to assist and transform the underprivileged; however, this transformation commonly comes in a form of forcing natives to succumb to English traditions or to comply to labor demands. Marlow uses this theory to justify his actions—he feels that the actions he takes to conquer third world countries are excused since he’s there for the good of the people.

Although this novel is written during the time of the Enlightenment, Conrad directly goes against one of its core concepts. The Enlightenment ideals state that the heart of every man is pure and society is responsible for corrupting it. Conrad, on the other hand, believes that darkness lies within the individual and that it can emerge and overcome one under certain circumstances.

On a similar note, Conrad begins his novella on The Nellie, which is sailing on the Thames River in London. This location is supposed to represent the upmost society, but this river is still connected to the waters of Africa. By presenting this scenario, Conrad argues that darkness cannot be destroyed because it infects nearly all things.  Marlow’s journey through “the heart of darkness” helps him realize this, “The offing was barred by a black bank of clouds, and the tranquil waterway leading to the uttermost ends of the earth flowed somber under an overcast sky – seemed to lead into the heart of an immense darkness” (Conrad 72). At the end of the novella, Marlow stares down the Thames River and see the darkness in London itself.

Overall, Kurtz life in Africa mirrors Conrad’s view of civilization. While Kurtz is in Africa, he is seen as a heroic figure, but he also has many flaws. Marlow comments that Kurtz claims he wants only justice and believes that his death was deserved. Similar to Kurtz’s death, Conrad feels that society is subjected to the same fate and destined to be overcome by the darkness that exists in the heart of mankind.  

Unaccustomed Earth: Not Your Typical Fairytale

Commonly found in Unaccustomed Earth are endings that contradict against the structure of a typical fairy-tale. Instead of the girl eventually finding her one true love or a family reuniting, many of the shorts stories end on a depressing note, much to the reader’s chagrin. In fact, Lahiri frequently concludes her stories in way that seem to directly oppose the reader’s perception of a ‘happy ending.’ Lahiri creates moments that seem to lead in one direction; however, by reaching a dead end or a rising conflict, Lahiri’s plots take a sharp turn against the reader’s perceived path.

In the first short story “Unaccustomed Earth,” Ruma explains how although she seems to have everything, she feels nothing. To exemplify this, Ruman says, “By allowing her to leave her job, splurging on a beautiful house, agreeing to having a second baby, Adam was doing everything in his power to make Ruma happy. But nothing was making her happy,” (Lahiri 7) Adam, Ruma’s wife, has willingly done many things to bring her joy and bliss; however, only Ruma’s positive reactions to these instances will bring her true happiness. The tale ends on a semi-sweet note for Ruma discovers that her father, a widower, has fallen in love with another women by finding a note in her house that her father wrote. Normally when a widower finds a soul mate, it is known to be uplifting; however, this case reminds Ruma of her genuine mother who lost her life to cancer. Ultimately Ruma sends the letter, but it is unclear whether there is a fairytale ending. Does her father marry his newfound love?  Does Ruma eventually discover what brings her joy in life? Lahiri uses common situations to depict turning points in ones life; in spite of this, she leaves the reader to imagine what the outcome might be.

During the continuation of the novel, Lahiri does not only conceals what happens to her characters, but she bluntly tells the truth in a way that seems to directly contradict what one would hope it would be. In “A Choice of Accommodations,” husband and wife, Amit and Megan, see a wedding and unveil some difficulties that have been buried in their marriage. This wedding is on of complications because Amit admits that he once loved the bride to be, Pam, “He (Amit) had loved her (Pam), yes it was true, but because she’d never been his girlfriend there had been nothing to explain” (Lahiri 88). Amit knows that there is more to the story behind him and Pam, yet he says nothing. Lahiri continues to build the intensity of the story by having Amit expose secrets through out the evening of the wedding. He says to a women he met at the wedding, “Actually, it was after the second that our marriage sort of disappeared,” (Lahiri 113-114). Megan also inquires if Amit and Pam have ever had sex, which they have not. It is during the evening that the two discover the underlying jealousies of their marriage: Megan is envious of other women and Amit somewhat wishes that he had less children.

In the final section of Unaccustomed Earth, “Going Ashore,” Lahiri places the foundation for the quintessential love story: two people who met one another in their early life reunite and become intimate. Of course, the tragic ending leaves the reader with teary eyes and the two not only separate, but one passes away from a natural disaster.

Through all of these stories, Lahiri uses real life circumstances with a touch of fantasy to create her novel. As one discovers though, these perfectly crafted accounts commonly end in a way that can seem anywhere from perplexing to depressing, and even to repulsing.

The Heart of Darkness: Character Analysis of Kurtz and Ideas about Imperialism

In The Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, Kurtz, an iconic figure, appears to be the archetype for the European Companies and ultimately, imperialism itself. From his elusive appearance to his steadfast greed, he is willing to sacrifice the lives’ of others and his own sanity in order to retrieve what he covets. Similarly, the European Companies send men on voyages through the intimidating darkness which envelopes the Congo River in Africa in hopes of gaining riches. Along with that, Kurtz represents imperialism since he embodies the basic concepts: greed and heartlessness. At one point Marlow remarks about Kurtz, “His mother was half-English, his father was half-French. All Europe contributed to the making of Kurtz,” (Conrad 45). During the journey through the threatening river, many of the scavengers gambled with their hearts in order of finding ivory-- what the hunters coincide with success.

            Kurtz is known as the ‘universal genius’ and prodigy that will quickly climb his way to the top of the company. Although Marlow, a middle-age sailor, explorer, and narrator of the story, never formally meets Kurtz, he feels that Kurtz is a complex figure with many layers. In the novel, the harsh treatment of the natives is known as ‘civilization’ and it is viewed as a rational and sensible part of Imperialism. Some view Kurtz as a heroic figure and are perplexed by his immediate success in the field. Others see him as a vicious creature; instead of fairly trading with the natives to obtain ivory, Kurtz takes matters into his own hands by beheading his victims.

In the beginning of the second part of the novel, Marlow overhears a story, “that Kurtz had apparently intended to return himself, the station being by that time bar or food and stores, but after coming three hundred miles, had suddenly decided to go back, which he started to do alone in a small dugout with four paddlers, leaving the half-caste to continues down the river with the ivory” (Conrad 28). Neither Marlow nor anyone else can discover a motive for doing such a thing. Why would one travel such a journey, only to return when one is near the end? Also, Marlow also attributes, “His name (Kurtz), you understand, had not been pronounced once. He was ‘that man’” (Conrad 28). Kurtz, or ‘that man’, is a figure that is so well known that by a simple relative pronoun, many would know who is this person.

Overall, Kurtz represents the idea of European Companies and Imperialism because of his definitive characteristics that allow others perception about him to vary widely; however, eventually Kurtz falls ill due to the stresses he has brought upon himself along with the dangerous environment of the Congo River. From a dramatic up rise to a blissful career to an ultimate downfall, Kurtz’s life mirrors that of the fundamentals of Imperialism.

Unaccustomed Earth: Theme Guilt in "Only Goodness"

In the fourth story of Unaccustomed Earth, “Only Goodness,” Sudha told the tale of her brother, Ruhal, and his journey as an alcoholic. Her story began in a time that their game of hiding alcohol seemed innocuous; however, this small act of defiance against their parents was the catalyst for a serious addiction. There was a point where Sudha felt responsible for Ruhal’s behaviors, but ultimately she had to placate herself when she realized there was only so much she could control.

            In the first line of the short story, Sudha admitted that she was the one who introduced her brother Ruhal to alcohol. Although it started as a minor infraction, it slowly became a larger issue at hand. Before Ruhal went to college, he was the epitome of a student who only had to invest a minimal amount of time to comprehend information. With stellar grades and scores, he was accepted into Cornell University; however, it was not before long that he began to fall into what he perceived as the social norm. Drinking became a common activity, and his performance in school accurately reflected his behaviors. Eventually, Rahul’s attitude crumbled as well, and his parents asked Sudha to talk some sense into him.

            During the beginning, Sudha felt responsible that her actions caused Rahul’s addiction; however, Sudha came to the conclusion that she could only control so much, and that when she became too involved, it took a toll on her mental health. It was only when Sudha realized this that she was able to continue to live her life. Distancing herself from her brother was an arduous process, but it was the necessary action she needed to take in order to free her from living in a world with constant guilt.