Marlow's Journey
This character travels into the Congo and tells the story of his experiences.
Who is Marlow?
This valuable material becomes an obsession for Kurtz and the Europeans.
What is ivory?
This river is where Marlow and the other men are at both the beginning and the end of the novella.
What is the Thames River?
The Europeans claim they are bringing this to Africa.
What is civilization/progress?
This theme asks whether what people appear to be is the same as who they really are.
What is Appearance vs. Reality?
The doctor tells Marlow that the important changes will take place here.
Where are “inside” — psychologically and morally?
Marlow hears that Kurtz is brilliant, eloquent, influential, and successful, but discovers that Kurtz is actually this.
What is physically broken and morally corrupted?
This phrase suggests that darkness is not limited to Africa.
What is “one of the dark places of the earth”?
Despite starving, this group shows remarkable restraint by not attacking the Europeans.
Who are the cannibals?
This theme explores how unchecked desire for wealth and power can corrupt people.
What is Power / Greed / Ivory?
Marlow becomes obsessed with obtaining these PARTICULAR supplies because they represent practical work and progress.
What are rivets?
Kurtz's report claims to promote the “Suppression of Savage Customs,” but ends with this shocking command.
What is “Exterminate all the brutes!”?
Kurtz's painting of a blindfolded woman carrying a torch represents this supposed force of European civilization (hint: opposite of darkness).
What is the “light” of civilization/progress?
The Europeans supposedly represent civilization, but they repeatedly demonstrate these qualities.
What are greed, violence, and cruelty?
The novella suggests that people can become extremely greedy and violent when these are removed.
What are familiarities of civilization (limits, consequences, and restraints)?
Marlow finds this old book meaningful because its “singleness of intention” feels more real than the Company’s empty rhetoric.
What is the seamanship book (belonging to the Russian Harlequinn)?
Conrad uses religious language around ivory to make it seem like the Europeans are doing this with it.
What is worshiping it like a false god?
In Kurtz's painting, the blindfold suggests that European civilization is unable or unwilling to see this.
What is the violence and exploitation behind imperialism?
Marlow calling the African fireman an “improved specimen” reveals that he judges people according to these standards.
What are European standards of progress and usefulness?
Marlow says that when ordinary principles fail, a person needs this kind of deeply held moral conviction.
What is a “deliberate belief”?
Marlow tells Kurtz's Intended that Kurtz's final word was her name, showing the conflict between THIS and reality.
What is APPEARANCE vs reality?
Kurtz's final words that reveal that he has reached this moment of terrible recognition about his life and actions.
What is “The horror! The horror!” — a realization/judgment of his moral corruption?
By ending the story back on the Thames, Conrad suggests that the darkness Marlow encounters is actually found here too.
What is European civilization and human nature?
The contrast between starving cannibals showing restraint and Europeans abusing African workers challenges this assumption.
What is the idea that Europeans are naturally civilized while Africans are naturally savage?
Based on Kurtz, the Company, and the cannibals, what does the novella ultimately suggest humans are capable of when they have unchecked power and desire?
What are greed, cruelty, violence, and self-deception — while still retaining the possibility of moral restraint?