Symbols in Heart of Darkness

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Summary

The novel, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, may be challenging to comprehend at first due to the author’s non-native English language. However, the book contains underlying meanings and symbolisms that can be discovered upon closer examination. The double-meanings and symbolisms of the novel can be categorized under Existentialism and Expressionism, both of which contribute to the story. Existentialism is interpreted as the philosophical viewpoint that the main character, Marrow, has about their responsibility to make their own choices. Expressionism is a style of art writing, where the reader can see the story through the eyes of the main character. The novel is associated with Expressionism due to the heavy use of symbols and symbolisms, such as fog, which represents darkness and the unknown. Overall, the book requires the reader to pay attention to the deeper meaning behind the events to fully appreciate the work.

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The book was mildly difficult to understand, especially because Concord’s native language was not English. If you “.NET Into this book blindly, and Just read, searching for nothing, I can almost guarantee you would not understand It. But, If you take a closer look, you can see the underlying meanings and symbolisms he has partially hidden everywhere.

Joseph Concord’s double-meanings and symbolisms could be classified under Existentialism and Expressionism. Though they are different, they both play a part In contributing to Concord’s story. Exclamations Is more of a theory, while Expressionism Is more off style of art, writing, etc. Existentialism, In this literary ark, Is Interpreted as a philosophical viewpoint that the mall character, In this case Marrow, has about their responsibility to make their own choices.

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Expressionless, In this literary work, is interpreted as almost like looking through the eyes of a certain hearted (in this case the main character, Marrow), to see their viewpoint of the events of the story. If you know these two terms and their meanings before you start reading, you can see how they relate to the story. Heart of Darkness can be associated with Expressionism because there is a heavy use of symbols and symbolisms. If you are Just reading and you are not focusing on trying to find a deeper meaning, many of the events in the book may seem very strange to you.

One symbol used by Conrad is fog. Fog was important because it represented darkness, and the unknown and obscured or distorted things that wait behind it; and often, the impulsive decisions made with little accuracy or knowledge about how they’ll turn out. Marrows boat gets caught in the fog, which is another symbol of the darkness that lies ahead, or being disoriented/lost. This quote is from chapter 2 describes the symbolic use of fog very well: Not the faintest sound of any kind could be heard.

You looked on amazed, and began to suspect yourself of being oaf – then the night came suddenly, and struck you blind as well …. When the sun rose there was a white fog, very warm and clammy, and more blinding than the night. It did not shift or drive; it was Just there, standing all around you like something solid. (Conrad 2. 13) ay rocketing arthritis Literature and Composition Joseph Conrad wrote Heart of Darkness in 1899. The book was mildly difficult to Net into this book blindly, and Just read, searching for nothing, I can almost guarantee you would not understand it.

But, if you take a closer look, you can see the Existentialism and Expressionism. Though they are different, they both play a part in contributing to Concord’s story. Existentialism is more of a theory, while Expressionism is more of a style of art, writing, etc. Existentialism, in this literary Nor, is interpreted as a philosophical viewpoint that the main character, in this case Marrow, has about their responsibility to make their own choices. Expressionism, in about how they’ll turn out.

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