Darkness as it is perceived by the characters in Joseph Conrad's novella, Tim O"Brien's short story, and Francis Ford Coppola's movie, is largely dictated by society. ... Thus, the dark side of human nature is thought only to exist in those people who have not been graced with the presence of a government, written language, and other essentials necessary to exist as what is believed to be a "pure" human being. ... While there is a distinction between darkness of the human heart, and that of nature, this primal setting helps to blur the certainty. ... Thus, the description of...

• Word Count: 872
• Approx Pages: 3

Joseph Conrad's experiences with the dark side of human nature also heavily influence his work. ... Apparently he had a negative experience as he characterizes nature as a force acting against Marlow. ... The realization that the scenario presented is not so farfetched helps amplify the dark nature of the story. ... The story itself is a parody of the classic British children's story Coral Island by R. ... Do you see the story? ...

• Word Count: 4223
• Approx Pages: 17
• Grade Level: High School

"Heart of Darkness," by Joseph Conrad is a short novel published in 1899. ... "(p.584)This is another point that solidifies that racism played a huge part in both stories, one can even argue that it came with the job. ... The darkness of the situations and settings of both stories are strongly highlighted for the readers and viewers. ... " As a fourth point of similarity, the evil nature of mankind was very well emphasized in the book as well as the movie. ... " Here Garrett Stewart makes a great point, the human ego is what enables us to see our true colors and who we really...

• Word Count: 2231
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

Heart of Darkness In just the opening pages of Heart of Darkness, Conrad's ability as a writer becomes abundantly clear, for the subliminal nature of his writing is constantly sustained. Conrad begins Marlow's journey into the heart of darkness on the Thames, on the yawl, "Nellie" with a short prologue, which contains subtle use of imagery and a brilliant suggestion of the atmosphere that prepares a reader for the prevailing themes of the novel. ... Conrad operates in this manner with deliberate intent, so to prepare the reader for the human savagery and despair that is to follow ...

• Word Count: 1586
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Marlow then goes on to discuss how short and meaningless our lives really are compared to the light of all life and history. ... (Telegan 98) In the above mentioned quote Diane Telegan sums up the theme of light and darkness and even goes on farther to discuss the effects of it to a human. ... The river is the first of these symbols to appear in the story. ... Neither river is flowing during the time of the course of the story. ... The literal journey into the jungle is a metaphor, or a symbol, for the journey into the uncharted human soul. ...

• Word Count: 4389
• Approx Pages: 18
• Grade Level: High School

The emphasis of Marlow's story shifts in Chapter Two. ... The drums draw Marlow and inspire him to reflect on the nature of man. He realizes that Africans are human and that white men must admit the common bond that links everyone. ... This scene, however, is short-lived as Marlow skips ahead to the next day-his day of departure from! ... With that, Marlow ends his story aboard the Nellie. ...

• Word Count: 4309
• Approx Pages: 17
• Grade Level: High School

On one level, this book can be read as a story about Charlie Marlow's (the novel's protagonist) journey to discover his inner self, or as a commentary on human identity in general. ... (p 11) This paper will try to analyze Marlow's change, as caused by his exposure to a radically different culture, untamed nature and the imperialistic character of the historical period. ... Marlow starts his tale at sunset, and as his story gets gloomier, so the evening grows gradually darker. ... Then there's the story of Marlow's predecessor Fresleven, a gentle, quiet man who goes...

• Word Count: 4081
• Approx Pages: 16
• Grade Level: High School