Introduction

Joseph Conrad's short novel Heart of Darkness is widely considered one of the richest examples of the use of symbolism in modern literature. Though the story is a mere fraction of a normal novel's length, Conrad's dense, layered prose can make for a slow and potentially frustrat-ing—though ultimately rewarding—reading experience. The main story is centered on a river-boat pilot named Marlow who signs on to work for a Belgian company making inroads into the African Congo. Once he reaches Africa, Marlow's piloting job transforms into a quest to locate a mysterious company employee named Kurtz who has all but vanished into the African jungle. Marlow's journey is a nightmarish trip through a land he does not understand, where his European cohorts operate without the influence of laws or "civilized" society.

Heart of Darkness...