"Heart Of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad.

The themes in the story are many. One could argue that there is an abundance of religious imagery throughout the novel (Garden of Eden, the Buddha, the Fates, the Snake). There is also a very large role of the use of light and darkness. The battle between passive and active evil is also a major theme. The greatest them I believe is the struggle within humans to be good or evil and which triumphs. Marlow, …

…Belgian journalist, and Kurtz's fiance demonstrate, there seems to be no true Kurtz. To his cousin, he was a great musician; to the journalist, a brilliant politician and leader of men; to his fiancée, a great humanitarian and genius. All of these contrast with Marlow's version of the man, and he is left doubting the validity of his memories. Yet Kurtz, through his charisma and larger-than-life plans, remains with Marlow and with the reader.