Prompt 9

When asked if Heart of Darkness is a racist work or not, I find it to be a bothersome question that stirs a pot which shouldn't even really be touched. What I mean by this is that the relevance of Heart of Darkness being a racist book is little, if any. This book was written 1899; of course it is racist. Let us consider the times and the circumstances of this book rather than setting it to today's standard of suitable literature. When Heart or Darkness is read in the classroom, it definitely teaches a lesson on racism, and it is an unavoidable topic when discussing the work; nevertheless, this does not imply that the work is inappropriate to study due to its language or perspective on race. Yes, what happens in this novella is dehumanizing to the African-American race. Yes, the perspective from which this story is told is entirely racist. Just because these assertions are true does not make this book any less of a book with literary merit. This book reflects the time it was written during and is an accurate representation of what life was like in Africa in 1899. Why would we ever hide the truth from any reader simply because the book is racist? All in all, my view on the racist qualities of this book are that they are meant to analyzed in the literature, not taken personally.

Prompt 18

Heart of Darkness caught my attention from the start, simply because the title is such a significant aspect of the novella. There are many reasons as to why the title is what it is, and it ranges from the literal to the metaphorical in meaning. The novella addresses some key issues about race; its entire purpose centers around the subject of race during this time (in 1899). Color is a very important issue in this book, especially whether something is light (or white) or dark (black) in meaning and in skin color. Another reason why this is the title is because of the location this book is set in. Africa is and just about always has been a "dark" spot in our world, because it is underdeveloped and filled with third world countries. Lastly, this book shows off the wickedness of man's dark hearts. Because these Europeans address black men as "savages," "niggers," and other offensive titles all throughout the work, it just goes to show how dark man's heart truly is. Conrad indubitably had a motive behind his title, and whether it has to do with man's naturally wicked ways or the physical location of the book, it is important to appreciate and recognize the meaning behind the title.

Prompt #9

     Whether or not Heart of Darkness is a racist novel is a more difficult question to answer than it may seem.  There is the use of harsh and crude language such as "nigger", "savages", and even going as far as comparing them to dogs.  On the surface this comes across as a very racist, very gross book which has no place on public library shelves, much less on the a student's desk.  However, several characteristics must be taken into consideration before quickly judging Conrad's work.
     A large thing to be taken in to consideration is the time period which this was set in.  The novella was published in 1899.  Although slavery was now frowned upon, the attitudes towards black people did not really change throughout America or England.  This was before the cultural normalities of working to not offend people and working to make everyone equal.  These earlier words are examples of words accepted by white men at this time.  Another possible explanation has to do with the phrase "talking like a sailor". This can be shown here as an example of sailors who just use crude language because it is their way of life.
     I believe it is important for this novel to stay and be taught in schools because it also teaches the wickedness of imperialism and the Englishmen and the history of the time.  A people cannot grow together unless they face their past and move forward.  Painting over the mistakes and injustices will not cause change.  Conrad's work deserves to be read, taught, and be called a classic novella because it does what all novels are supposed to do - tell a story.

Prompt 18

Heart of Darkness gains its title from the way the outsiders see Africa and its inhabitants.  They are dark skinned, "in the dark" about some major technological advances, and generally gloomy and savage.  Heart by definition means "the central or innermost part of something". The dictionary also defines darkness as "the absence of light, wickedness and evil, obscurity and concealment, lack of knowledge, and blindness".  All of those different definitions of darkness fit the novella.  Wickedness and evil reek from Marlow and Kurtz, the jungle conceals the obscure happenings, the savages are not perceived as having much knowledge, and the sailors seem blind to the ways and ideals of the natives.  With those definitions, the literal meaning of the title is very belittling to the people of the land. Any combination of those multiple meanings of darkness does not have a good connotation.  In its simplest form, the meaning is "center of the absence of light".   By this meaning, Africa is the place where light no longer shines.  Enlightenment no longer occurs.  In this translation, Africa and its inhabitants are going to be the most difficult culture for the imperialists to overcome.  The title of the novel foreshadows the attitude of the rest of the novel.

Prompt 18

Joseph Conrad’s title of his novel, Heart of Darkness, holds a very ominous vibe to the reader before opening the book. The title is referring not only to the location but to the state of mind from the Europeans because of their imperialistic ways. The novel takes place in the deep jungles of Africa, where everything is dark and untamed. Everything seems almost out of control to the outside eye and because of this it leaves a dark intimidating feel, like the title.  Biblically, when Christians or other religious cultures refer to sin, their hearts are dark and evil. They are full of sinful ways and have not been cleansed by salvation. In the novel, the Africans and “savages” are seen as evil and untamed, just when referring to the sinful ways of the world their hearts are full of darkness. The imperialistic ways can be seen as dark and evil as well. The overpowering ways of forcing cultures and power onto “inferior” nations can be seen as an evil act. Evil and sinful actions are better acted on in the dark because no one is able to see them. In the novel, they’re blind in the situation they are in because of the darkness that surrounds them metaphorically and physically.

Prompt 12

In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness the author writes in a narrative style with Marlow and an unnamed man. When the unnamed man speaks, the novel is open to more commentary in the story. When Marlow takes over we are given different viewpoints, allowing the story to have more depth between the two speakers. Because of this the novel is given a unique structure by the author, almost as if there is a story within the story. A story between an unnamed narrator and Marlow where the unnamed narrator interacts with the main character. This relationship helps the storyline to progress and carry to create more detail and views to be expressed to describe the journey the speakers take. This opens up the story to a pessimistic and poetic tone because of the structure and the narrative style. All of these elements help to impact the meaning of “Heart of Darkness” because the reader is given a viewpoint from two men in an environment that is out of their comfort zones, opening them up to true thoughts that are common to the cultures they’ve grown up with. The point of views from the narrators completely change the story depending on their backgrounds they’ve known their entire life.

Prompt 18

Before a reader begins delving into Joseph Conrad’s world with Marlow, Mr. Kurtz, and the rest of the novella’s characters, the first prominent feature of Heart of Darkness lies in its title.  This label encompasses the very theme upon which Conrad’s story is constructed, ultimately defining the keystone idea expressed throughout the text.  As a title, Heart of Darkness operates twofold, which contributes to a greater understanding of the story as a whole.

The first of these can be found in the novella’s geographical setting, which occurs in the deep core of Africa, an area which was often referred to as “the dark continent” during the 19th century.  The continent was shrouded in mystery at the time when this name was commonly used; the Western culture knew little about the area at the time due to lack of mapping and exploration by Europeans.  Heart of Darkness, published in 1899, was written at the turn of the 20th century when most of Africa’s land remained uncharted and generally unknown to the general European public.  Thus, Heart of Darkness could likely refer to the the story’s location: the center of an unexplored, unfamiliar land.

However, Conrad’s title could also refer to a perspective of humanity which is just that: the dark, primitive, and relentless side which carries the weight of, according to Conrad’s views within the story, the African people and any other human who is unlike that of those living in the Western culture.  Those who become separated from Europe and find themselves surrounded by the shadows of the African forests are, in turn, robbed of their humanity, as their hearts are likewise transformed into darkness.