Heart of Darkness

Darkness certainly plays an important role in Conrad's work. Its very inclusion in the name of the story indicates that it is an element that must be considered in light of the work. Certainly, Conrad's entire work is dark, and the setting often seems dark as well. Africa is often referred to the Dark contintent- devoid of civilization and beyond the understanding of the civilized world. Certainly, in Conrad's work, the lack of understanding or sympathy on the part of the imperialist powers present, make Africa a "dark contintent"- misunderstood and abused, as the imperialists fail to consider the humanity of their African counterparts. And indeed, in this work, it is not merely a lack of civilization that can make a country or people, 'dark'. The imperialists, with all their supposed civilization and technology, are, through their abuse and corruption of that civilization, rendered 'dark' as well.