4th Correspondence with Kenya

“Heart of Darkness,” which is a frame story, presents an inside look on the cruelty that went on in the Congo after King Leopold of Belgium privately claimed the country. The story begins with an unknown narrator, telling the story that Marlow told him. Marlow, who represents Joseph Conrad, starts off his story, explaining how he had been fascinated by maps, and more specifically, how interested in the blank spaces on maps he had been. As years went by, however, Marlow did, indeed, come to a realization that the blank spaces on maps were not as literally empty as they were in a more figurative manner. In Marlow’s words, “it had ceased to be a blank space of delightful mystery. It had become a place of darkness.” The loss of luster in the “blank” spaces resulted in pure darkness. When something “glows,” so to speak, it is noticed and appreciated by its surrounding inhabitants, but post-losing its incandescence, the space becomes dark and more unapproachable.

Along with his portrayal of emptiness, Marlow describes the Congo River as a coiled snake, saying that the entrance into Africa is the head, while the body spirals into the heart of Africa. In a literal sense, a snake typically receive nothing but negative connotations, which makes Marlow sound as if he has nothing but negative things to say about Africa. Snakes can be dangerous in various ways, which makes them unappealing. So, Marlow referring to the entrance into Africa as the head of a snake essentially means that going into Africa will be a one-way trip into a hell pit.

Despite the bad thoughts of Africa, Marlow continues on his trip into The Congo. Even at the very beginning of his actual trip into the heart of Africa, he thinks of the people as sheer savages, due to his warped idea of civilization. As he takes in his surroundings, he sees nothing but darkness, which only increases his discontent for “the unknown.” Initially, Marlow does not realize that his attitude toward the people and habitat of Africa will conflict with his overall experience. It is most definitely valid that his ignorance will lead him into nothing but self-destruction.