The quote "We live in the flicker—may it last as long as the old earth keeps rolling" from Heart of Darkness reflects Marlow's view on the ephemeral nature of civilization and enlightenment. He describes the British state of enlightenment as a "flicker," a precarious and temporary light, suggesting that while England has risen from barbarism to civilization, this state is fragile and could easily regress. Marlow hopes this flicker of civilization lasts indefinitely, despite recognizing the inherent darkness and barbarity that civilization attempts to overcome, which is a recurrent theme in the novel.

The two-fold journey in Heart of Darkness is one of the physical -- taking a steamer down the Congo in search of Mr. Kurtz, and the psychological -- the toll this has upon the protagonist Marlow.

Marlow perceives the meaning of life as maintaining illusions despite reality. Initially admiring Kurtz as a godlike figure, Marlow discovers Kurtz's disillusionment with European ideals and his own myth. Despite Kurtz's final despairing words, "The horror! The horror!", Marlow respects him, preserving the illusion of Kurtz's greatness even to Kurtz's fiancée. Marlow's experiences in the jungle deepen his cynicism, leading him to believe that life's essence is solitary and incomprehensible to others.

The Lawyer's and Accountant's professions relate to several important themes throughout the novella. The Lawyer's profession involves practicing law and presenting cases throughout the judicial system. Throughout the novella, the theme of justice is examined and portrayed by the Company's business ventures in the Congo. Laws and regulations are virtually nonexistent in the Congo, where individuals involved in the ivory trade brutally oppress and exploit the Natives. The Accountant's occupation also relates to the prominent theme of money throughout the novella. Greed and money fuel the horrific practices associated with the ivory trade. Kurtz is viewed as a god by the Natives, which results in tribal fighting over areas containing valuable resources such as ivory for him to harvest.

Conrad's Heart of Darkness is a perfect subject for an essay on psychoanalysis. The protagonist Marlow goes from a civilization in Belgium to the primitive, savage Congo, and back again. It is a journey that symbolizes therapy in its broader meaning: the mining of dreams and the unconscious to find new knowledge. In other words, you can use any psychoanalytic school---Freudian, Jungian, Lacanian---to write an essay on this subject.

The physical journey is a vehicle for self-exploration and for understanding the "heart of darkness." The journey becomes a voyage into the heart of darkness, as opposed to simply a physical voyage. Kurtz and Marlow better understand themselves as they travel deeper into the jungle. The physical journey allows an internal journey to take place. It is through the voyage that an individual can better understand his true identity apart from social conventions. This better understanding occurs because of the separation that takes place in departing from one's world of conformity.

Conrad's message in Heart of Darkness is that European imperialism is an evil, corrupt system. In contrast to the propaganda Europeans have been fed, Europeans are cruelly, brutally, and greedily exploiting the African continent and its people.

Characters in Conrad's Heart of Darkness are largely defined by their circumstances or the color of their skin rather than their own self-definition. The Africans in the novella, who are rarely developed characters, are treated as sub-human by virtue of their skin color, so they cannot define themselves. Both the main white characters, Marlow and Kurtz, are changed by the jungle despite their personal self-identifications, even if Marlow tries to maintain more conventional ideas about culture, identity, and society.

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.

Heart of Darkness portrays a journey from innocence to experience through Marlow's transformation. Initially, Marlow is driven by a naive passion for exploration and adventure, symbolizing innocence. As he progresses, he becomes disillusioned by the materialism and inefficiency of the Company in Africa. His perception of Kurtz shifts from admiration to seeing the darkness within him, reflecting the harsh realities of experience. This journey reveals the painful truth replacing hopeful illusions with stark reality.

Marlow's story profoundly impacts the narrator, shifting his view of imperialism and civilization. Initially, the narrator sees the Thames as a symbol of progress and imperial service. However, Marlow's tale reveals the darkness and savagery within European colonizers, embodied by Kurtz. By the end, the narrator's perception changes; he now sees the river leading "into the heart of an immense darkness," reflecting a newfound awareness of the latent savagery and moral ambiguity in imperial endeavors.