Heart of Darkness Essay essays

Heart of Darkness Essay essays Joseph Conrad ¹s novel Heart of Darkness is about a seaman named Charlie Marlow and an experience he had as a younger man. Early in the novel it becomes apparent that there is a great deal of tension in Marlow ¹s mind about whether he should profit from the immoral actions of the company he works for which is involved in the ivory trade in Africa. Marlow believes that the company is ignorant of the tension between moral enlightenment and capitalism . The dehumanization of its laborers which is so early apparent to Marlow seems to be unknown to other members of the Company ¹s management. In this story Marlow ¹s aunt represents capitalism. Her efforts to get him a job are significant because of the morally compromising nature of the work of which she seems totally ignorant. When Marlow expresses doubts about the nature of the work, she replies,  ³You forget, dear Charlie, that the labourer is worthy of his hire ² (12). It is clear that Marlow has mixed feelings about the whole idea. At one point, trying to justify his actions to himself, he says,  ³You understand it was a continental concern, that Trading Society; but I have a lot of relations on the living continent, because it ¹s cheap and not so nasty as it looks they say ² (12). Marlow finally takes the job, however, and tells himself that the pain and unusually harsh treatment the workers are subjected to is minimal. During the tests and the requirements that he has to undergo before entering the jungle Marlow feels that he is being treated like a freak. The doctor measures his head and asks him questions such as,  ³Ever any madness in your family? ² (15). In this part of the story Marlow is made to feel small and unimportant. Any feelings or concerns that he has are not important to the company, and as a result, he feels alone. It is only logical that Marlow would have been ...