In Heart of Darkness, appearance versus reality is highlighted through several examples. Ivory, seen as an elegant commodity, is obtained through brutal exploitation and the suffering of enslaved workers. The jungle, seemingly lush and serene, conceals hostile natives. The Belgian colonizers claim to bring civilization but are driven by greed, exploiting resources and people. Lastly, Marlow lies to Kurtz's fiancée about his final words, masking the truth of Kurtz's tormented soul.

Joseph Conrad, in "Heart of Darkness," implies that "truth" is elusive and often obscured by the lies and justifications of imperialism. Through Marlow's journey into the African jungle, he becomes cynical about imperialism's moral integrity, seeing it as a façade for exploitation. Marlow's disdain for lies and his quest for the seemingly pure Kurtz reflect his search for moral clarity amidst the pervasive deceit and moral ambiguity of colonial endeavors.

In Heart of Darkness, Marlow tells two lies. One is an attempt to assist Kurtz, and the other is to sustain a positive image of Kurtz's memory after he dies. In his first lie, he convinces the brick maker that he is a far more influential member of the company than he actually is. He does this to appear powerful in order to assist Kurtz—in an attempt to stop Kurtz's detractors from attacking him or even to remove him from the jungle. However, this attempt to help Kurtz is ultimately doomed.The second lie Marlow tells is to the fiancé of the late Kurtz, who had waited two years for his return from Africa.