Heart of Darkness Group

Topic: theme

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1

pallavimishra

wanted to know about the theme of the novel heart of darkness

2

You will get many answers to this post.  For my bet, I would say that a major theme of Conrad's work revolves around what is the true nature of human beings.  When one is stripped away from the trappings of social orders and civilizations, the book asks the fundamental question of who we are and what do we represent.  This becomes a critical theme of identity throughout the novel and explored in both Marlowe's understanding of Kurtz and our understanding of both of them.

3

mshurn

One of the themes in the novel is that of solidarity, the bonds of humanity that unite us all. This theme is evident in many of Conrad's works. Kurtz and those who exploit the natives through the evils of Colonialism have broken solidarity with other human beings. At the end of the novel when Marlow treats Kurtz with compassion despite the horror of what he has done and has become, Marlow embraces solidarity and thus saves his own humanity. He demonstrates his humanity again when he visits Kurtz' fiancee and lies to her out of compassion, even though lying violates his personal integrity. He makes this sacrifice because his humanity demands that he do so.

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