The title The Heart of Darkness, is definitely a title that sticks with you. There are many ways you could portray story to meaning, and meaning to title. The most obvious one that is consistent throughout the novel, is the idea of literally a darkness taking over what used to be a heart. In utter relation to the story, Kurtz happens to be the victim. Considering greed is not only addictive, but uncontrolled. It is hard to determine blame if your heart is taken over with darkness. Kurtz was caught up in the power that he had. The idea of the takeover of Imperialism is also a possibility as to why the title was chosen. Terrible consequences resulted in the movement of Imperialism alone, much similar to the dehumanizing acts that take place in the novel. Lastly, the story takes place in what is known to be the heart of jungle, with anything from cannibalism to savage hunters lurking around. Simply just the thought of morals is not even considering when you are located here, meaning that the actual setting is the heart of darkness, rather than the darkness taking over the heart itself.
Great interpretation of the title's meaning! I think you touched on many points that some people wouldn't even consider when interpreting a title. I agree completely with your comments on greed being uncontrollable and addictive. Not only that, but greed also seems to bring out the worst part of the human soul causing people to act solely on one feeling and not consider most other factors. I also liked how you ended with the title simply being a description of the setting as that is the place most people would begin when trying to uncover the meaning behind a title.
ReplyDeleteThe way you paralleled the way Kurtz's heart was overwhelmed by the darkness, or foreignness, in the heart of the jungle, is a great way of interpreting the title. I hadn't thought about it in that way before, but it makes sense. Kurtz was consumed by the power and influence in the heart of the African jungle and among the natives, people like him but not like him, that he became a personification of the Heart of Darkness. The literal meaning, too, is also important to consider, as Marlow was journeying into a land that was completely removed from civilization as he knew it - savages with no recognizable language, an impenetrable jungle, and countless encountered woes all cumulated into a circumstance most would view as quite dark - thus, they sailed into the Heart of Darkness.
ReplyDeleteI think this was a great impression for the overall meaning and impact as the title. I like how you used a foreigness aspect to describe the darkness, which I agree with Sarah that it was an interesting way to view the title. I agree with you on your comment about how greed is uncontrollable and practically takes over oneself. I think you did an interesting job interpreting the title, as well as a good job on your view of simply only about the title instead of trying to uncover a meaning behind it.
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