Symbols...
Fog- darkness, distorts; gives just enough information
- Marlow’s steamer is caught in the fog, meaning that he has no idea where he’s going nor does he know what lies ahead. This natives had an advantage because they saw Marlow & his steamboat once the fog rose, & then began to go for the kill.
Women- decency & purity
- Kurtz is the main individual to "use" the women.
Ivory- economic freedom, social advancement.
- Ivory is the physical symbol of the greed and runaway ambition of the Europeans. They are willing to do anything, include sacrifice their own humanity, in pursuit of this treasure.
The Whited Sepulcher- death & confinement; looks one way on the outside, but is totally different on the inside
- The whited sepulcher phrase comes from Matthew 23:27 (KJV) "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."
Themes...
Colonialism- Marlow's story in Heart of Darkness takes place in the Belgian Congo, the most notorious European colony in Africa for its greed and brutalization of the native people. In Europe, colonization of Africa was justified on the grounds that not only would it bring wealth to Europe, it would also civilize & educate the "savage" African natives.
Good v. Evil- Marlow's desire to be good & do good becomes increasingly futile as he's plunged into a world where no absolute goodness exists & the best he can do is choose between a selection of nightmares.
The Lack of Truth- Marlow goes through all sorts of trouble just to find Kurtz, and him to turn out being the biggest disappoint of all.
Good v. Evil- Marlow's desire to be good & do good becomes increasingly futile as he's plunged into a world where no absolute goodness exists & the best he can do is choose between a selection of nightmares.
The Lack of Truth- Marlow goes through all sorts of trouble just to find Kurtz, and him to turn out being the biggest disappoint of all.