Heart of Darkness

Heart of Darkness is a novella by Joseph Conrad first published in 1899. The story follows Charles Marlow a sailor who journeys into the African Congo to find Kurtz an ivory trader who has become a figure of fascination and mystery. As Marlow travels deeper into the jungle he confronts the darkness within humanity colonialism and the stark contrast between civilization and savagery. The novella delves into themes of imperialism moral ambiguity and the psychological effects of colonial exploitation. Through Marlow's harrowing journey Conrad paints a powerful critique of European colonialism and its impact on both the colonized and the colonizers.