Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad | Summary & Analysis

Joseph Conrad's book Heart of Darkness is set in the 1890s in the height of European colonization of Africa. Main character Charlie Marlow undertakes a dangerous journey deep into the African jungle to meet Kurtz, an important and mysterious ivory company agent who may have lost his mind. When he arrives at his destination, Marlow's unforgettable encounter with Kurtz delivers powerful, unsettling questions about the nature of man, greed, and imperialism that have resonated long after the book's publication.

Kristen Over, Associate Professor at Northeastern Illinois University, provides an in-depth summary and analysis of Joseph Conrad's book Heart of Darkness. Download the free study guide and infographic for Heart of Darkness here:

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[luciehasson]

Racism is not a theme in the novel. Conrad did not write Heart of Darkness with the intention of being racist, as it was not even a question at the time. The aspects that are racist in the novel are the evocations of savagery, stating that the savages are not so different from the "civilized people", which is racist in itself when you look at it from today's perspective. The theme here is human nature, the darkness that lies within every human, which is only let loose by the lack of civilization, and being face to face with the jungle.

[philipford]

It's one of my top 5 reads. I must have re-read Heart of Darkness 5 or 6 times by now. Every time, I am pulled into Conrad's mesmeric, haunting, almost poetic tale. It's a text rich with metaphor, ripe for re-interpretation and I'm sure that was very deliberate on the part of its author. By turns evocative, shocking, and melancholy, Conrad's novella emerges as a damning indictment of rapacious colonial barbarism and exploitation - yet somehow there's still a note of ambivalence about the text. Perhaps that's one of its most disturbing aspects. Highly, highly recommended for anyone who enjoys superbly well-written literature - plenty to critique, debate, explore.

[jo]

0:21 - if some critics have wonder whether to read the book, I think they are wrong. It is not in their interest to tell what should a reader read...

[soljoez]

You dont even mention the grove of death, which is one of the most striking passages on the novella, and also one of the most sympathetic towards the native lives destroyed by European colonialism O:

[hamedmozafari]

We need to stop judging figures of past with the standards of today. He was a product of his time and environment, not a oppressive racist.

[crushmash]

Excellent job on the analysis, I’ve seen Apocalypse now almost 10 times and now I want to read the book. Thank you for your insight

[SandyQueue]

Conrad's writing is both concise and beautifully descriptive, and I love this style. I too have ready this book several times. It is so rich, yet so sparse.

[kshitizpoudel]

Thank u so much Course Hero. You are life saviour

[santanudey]

The presenter (Gentle lady) has been excellent, narrating the topic in terms of diction and intonation. Especially, she hasn't shown unnecessary haste in covering the topic like the other presenter (I beg pardon for mentioning this). I'd prefer her in most of the coming programs too.

[EthanReadsHisBooks]

Book summary begins 3:31. "History Lesson" before that.

[janeallgood]

why do the africans adore him if he is so brutal to them? why does he hate them if he is becoming one of them?

[mylittleunicorn]

Kurtz's station is the inner station, not the central station. It is associated with the id, chaotic inner self

[Aaabbbccc]

ah Kristen is back ! exciting 🖤 Thank you for all the hard work you put into making these amazing videos

[na_haynes]

'the book is racist! not worth reading!' So because readers today find the language and depiction of the natives insensitive, it's no longer worth exploring any deeper meaning. Ok then.

[lotofart]

Thank you so much Course Hero and the infographics in the website are super-helpful ♡

[TasfiaIslam..]

Study English Literature as major for five years taught "Ignorance is a bliss".

Knowledge is pain and burden.
If tomorrow I was given the choice of avenging all the colonised countries, especially Africa, I'd do it in a heartbeat!!!
As person from Indian subcontinent, my blood boil with anger to think of those colonizers!!!

[mdjahidulislam]

Though the background sound is very annoying! But the video is effective, I think.

[Packers]

Anyone here because of apocalypse now?

[yoshi]

The book was not racist, you assume it’s racist for certain things, it’s just the evil of humans themselv3s

[mrguermo]

So it’s clear that Conrad was criticizing imperialism but is the same true of the racism in the book? Do we know if Conrad himself was a racist?