FREE ESSAY ON THE SUNNE RISING

THE SUNNE RISING

Heart of Darkness-"Conrad in the Congo-Background and Sources"
The walls between insanity and sanity are often paper thin in ones own mind. Joseph
Conrad's novel, "Heart of Darkness," exemplifies this wall, or realm, through the
manipulation of his character's narration. Initially, the narrative simply appears to be
a reflection of Conrad's style. However, as the story unfolds one may notice that the
language and style can be interpreted as a literary tool. A tool that effectively
illustrates the gradual deterioration, paranoia, and unresolvable confusion that man can
experience when entering mysterious modes of consciousness; as Marlowe does in the
African Congo. 
Conrad himself was subjected to the isolation and darkness of the Congo when he made his
own journey through Africa. The complicated rhythm of the narrative with its quotations
within quotations allows us, the reader, to partly understand, if not experience, the
desolate feeling of loss and isolation that Marlowe is feeling as he is travelling
through the Congo. Although Marlowe claims to be sane; the way in which he speaks is
often contradictory, and his thoughts seem to suggest that he suffers from perpetual
paranoia. 
Overall, Conrad brings into being a character in Marlowe who is suffering from an,
"attitude that recognizes the unresolvable confusion of the human world, and grasps
outward at anything made to appear firm or familiar--reason, God, nation,
authority..."(Solomon, 1) For Marlowe, the point of firmness is Kurts, who he looks to
with absolute adoration and searches to be at the same level. 
The use of Conrad's narrative is an ingenious tool to demonstrate the mindset of the men
that were hired to explore Africa.