Heart of Darkness

The Polish-born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski wrote under the pseudonym of Joseph Conard; an Anglicized derivative of his first and second middle names. He was born in what is now Ukraine on December 3, 1857, but later in life became fluent in the English language, and arguably one of the greatest novelists of the twentieth century. Having spent his early years as a merchant sailor, it comes as no surprise that he chose to write about a seafaring subject. However, his novella 'Heart of Darkness' was more than a fictional recollection of a steamboat’s trip up the Congo River in what was then the Congo Free State. Conrad introduces his readers to Charles Marlow, the story’s narrator, who recounts the tale of Kurtz, a successful Congo ivory trader. In doing so, Marlow draws comparisons between the great city of light, London, and the darkness of Africa. Conrad uses themes, symbolism, and motifs to portray the effects of imperialism, colonialism, and racism, and by doing so, explores the human psyche. The parallels Conrad draws is what makes 'Heart of Darkness' a classic. It is as relevant to geopolitical discussions today as it was when he wrote it. Since its first printing, 'Heart of Darkness' has been translated into various languages and reprinted by many publishers. It remains a springboard for literary discussions involving numerous social and political topics.