University Essay: Exploring Narrative in Heart of Darkness (ENGL 1302)

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness," examining its narrative structure through the lens of exposition, rising action, climax, and falling action. It delves into the character of Marlow as a narrator and Everyman figure, exploring his journey and experiences within the context of colonialism. The essay highlights the embodiment of colonial mindset in Kurtz and his descent into madness, contrasting the idealized notions of the "white man's burden" with the brutal realities of colonial exploitation. The climax reveals the disillusionment of colonial expansion and racist superiority, leading to Kurtz's death and the subsequent impact on Marlow. The essay concludes with a discussion of the denouement, where Marlow conveys Kurtz's death message to his wife, and the wife serves as the symbol of justice. The essay utilizes textual evidence to support its claims, offering insights into Conrad's critique of colonialism and the human psyche. The essay also discusses the glossary of literary terms provided in the assignment brief, though the terms themselves are not used in the essay analysis.

Running head: ENGLISH COMPOSITION
English Composition
Name of Student:
Name of University:
Author Note:

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Thesis
The aim of this discussion is to analyse Conrad’s Heart of Darkness as an appropriate
example of a narrative. The perfect narrative is comprised of an exposition, the rising action,
climax and falling action. The Heart of Darkness is seen to travel smoothly through this
narrative journey.

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Essay Outline:
Introduction:
This discussion will commence by providing an overview of the narrative. The novel
commences with the exposition of Marlow’s journey up the Congo River. Furthermore, the
novel’s rising action will also be thoroughly evaluated. This rising action is utilized by
Conrad to create a sense of suspense and mystery for the readers. Moreover, the novel then
presents the reader with the climax. The climax shows the reader the death of Kurtz which
leaves a deep impact on the psyche of Marlowe. The denouement is shown in the novel as
Marlowe meets Kurtz’s wife to convey the message of his death. Finally, the novel is brought
to a conclusion as the wife is showcased to be the symbol to be the epitome of justice.
Body Paragraph 1:
Topic sentence- As the novel commences, the readers are introduced to Marlow, who has
played the part of a mere narrator who nonetheless had a role in the plot, in Heart of
Darkness,
Supporting Detail- However, when critiquing the horrors of colonialism, it is difficult to
picture an abstract concept of the “white man’s burden” in terms of a character.
Body Paragraph 2:
Topic sentence- The rising action in the novel depicts Kurtz to be in every sense the
embodiment of the colonizing mindset and the superiority complex the colonizers had when
they came to claim African lands and resources under their own domains.
Supporting Detail- Kurtz descends into an insanity which is born from his own superiority
complex in considering himself to be the epitome of human existence, only to make him act
in ways which any “civilized” person would go on to term as “uncivilized” or “savage”.

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Body Paragraph 3:
Topic sentence- When the disillusionment is cast aside and the revelations finally dawn upon
both Kurtz, Marlow and the reader, the grandeur of colonial expansion and racist superiority
falls asunder into a thousand pieces.
Supporting Detail- Quite fittingly, with the truth being revealed to Marlow and the reader, the
notion of the “white man’s burden” dies, and therefore, Kurtz too has to die
Conclusion
Therefore, the resolution is brought about when Kurtz’s fiancée asks what Kurtz’s last words
was, Marlow – like any other person would in his shoes – lies, telling Kurtz uttered her name
as he lay, dying.

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Essay Analysis:
The human psyche is a dark and foreboding place, which if left unchecked, can cause
a person to commit horrible and unthinkable acts by believing that they are in the right in
doing so. This is in brief the overall message that Joseph Conrad conveys in his novel The
Heart of Darkness. In part a re-telling of history through the means of fiction, Conrad is able
to question the validity of colonialism and racism which his peers so gladly indulged in.
As the novel commences, the readers are introduced to Marlow, who has played the
part of a mere narrator who nonetheless had a role in the plot, in Heart of Darkness, we see
Marlow not just as a narrator or an active character within the overall schema of the plot.
Marlow is at once and the same time an allegorical representative of the Everyman, who is
used as a device to make the reader see through his eyes the horrors and brutalities meted out
to other human beings, all in the name of “civilizing” them (Conrad).
The novel then commences its journey through the narrative structure as Conrad
presents his reader with the rising action. This is of course mirrored by actual, contemporary
events upon which Conrad decided to pen down the novel. The “white’s man burden”, an
ideological justification used by European colonial powers to enslave and colonize vast
stretches of Africa. However, when critiquing the horrors of colonialism, it is difficult to
picture an abstract concept of the “white man’s burden” in terms of a character (Conrad).
Once again, Conrad makes use of his genius in resorting to allegory to paint such an ideal
into the character of Kurtz.
The rising action in the novel depicts Kurtz to be in every sense the embodiment of
the colonizing mindset and the superiority complex the colonizers had when they came to
claim African lands and resources under their own domains. Everyone whom Marlow meets

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is always found to be praising Kurtz for one reason or another, and these praises reflect the
supposed superior nature of the achievements of European civilization and culture. Clearly,
Marlow is infatuated with Kurtz and the reports of his qualities and personality, not unlike
how the Everyman Marlow seems to allegorically represent feels a sense of pride and awe
when they are made to believe the “good” intentions with which their nations intervene into
the affairs of Africa for their own benefits(Conrad).
The climax of the novel unfolds as Marlow becomes enticed with the all-powerful
character of Kurtz. He is also in awe of his magnanimous personality. However, the reader is
too taken on in a journey where they are confronted with the stark realities of colonial
brutality and cruelty, away from the fallacious and deceiving glamour of the “superior”
civilization of Europe. Kurtz descends into an insanity which is born from his own
superiority complex in considering himself to be the epitome of human existence, only to
make him act in ways which any “civilized” person would go on to term as “uncivilized” or
“savage”(Conrad). The irony is scathingly underscored when from Kurtz’s personal effects,
Marlow recovers his reports on the native tribes residing on the Congo basin which are
scrawled over with the empathic declaration, “Exterminate all the savages!” And yet, all of
the savagery which Marlow – and the reader – has witnessed during the entirety of the
journey has had been the handiwork of Kurtz and his delusions of superiority and
infallibility(Conrad).
When the disillusionment is cast aside and the revelations finally dawn upon both
Kurtz, Marlow and the reader, the grandeur of colonial expansion and racist superiority falls
asunder into a thousand pieces. Quite fittingly, with the truth being revealed to Marlow and
the reader, the notion of the “white man’s burden” dies, and therefore, Kurtz too has to
die(Conrad). But Kurtz does not die a silent death. His last words reflect the summation of

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the effects of colonial exploitation and consequent racism in one, succinct phrase that needs
no further elaboration or explanation. “The horror, the horror!” is more than enough in itself
to reflect the shock, surprise, incredulity, denial, guilt and final reconciliation for Marlow, for
Kurtz and most importantly, for the reader themselves.
The falling action is unfolded by Kurtz’s death. Conrad does not stop with Kurtz’s
death, however. He goes on to show how knowing the most horrible truth can be akin to
living with a tangible burden. Conrad again, masterfully, displays how one would feel
towards their country and their country’s justification for indulging in colonization after
having encountered the entire truth of the affair. Marlow starts to hate European civilization,
as would anyone else, with the realization that there is in fact no superiority inherent to being
“civilized”(Conrad). Conrad also goes on to show how it is difficult to convey in tangible
words the things Marlow has seen, in a way which effectively communicates the horror
associated with the act of “civilizing” seemingly “uncivilized” peoples. The person who was
thought to be gifted, talented and an efficient agent for the European Company turned out to
be the most savage person alive, reconciling this contradiction is an impossible, traumatic
task.
Therefore, the resolution is brought about when Kurtz’s fiancée asks what Kurtz’s last
words was, Marlow – like any other person would in his shoes – lies, telling Kurtz uttered her
name as he lay, dying. The denouement is shown in the novel as Marlowe meets Kurtz’s wife
to convey the message of his death. Finally, the novel is brought to a conclusion as the wife is
showcased to be the symbol to be the epitome of justice.

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Bibliography
Conrad, Joseph. "Heart of darkness." Heart of Darkness. Palgrave Macmillan, New York,
1996. 17-95.