Introduction

In the novel Heart of Darkness, Conrad explores the internal and external complications with psychoanalytic thoughts conveyed by the antagonist, Marlow. Marlow’s journey on his ship, the Nellie, provides the reader with multiple sporadic ideas as he travels down the uncertain Congo River towards Africa. Conrad illustrates the darkness of Marlow’s unknown journey not only through atmospheric setting but also through a change of conscience as he encounters ‘savages’ and learns to appreciate his known and newly discovered knowledge about other parts of the world. Understandings of the text vary upon the interpreter; moreover, authors: Frederick Karl and Ross Murfin analyze the novel to illuminate how Marlow’s internal thoughts affect the reader. The different opinions perceive Marlow’s dream state to be an effective atmospheric event that adds to his journey but others vaguely state that Marlow’s indecisive conscience is troublesome for the course of the novel. Conrad allows the reader to add their imagination to the journey to the unknown land that establishes a necessary ominous mood Heart of Darkness illuminates the darkness within Marlow’s mind as he unknowingly seeks a new and obscure Africa; therefore, the reader is thrown into a psychological dream state journey that constructs an atmospheric mood external to the text as well.