heart of darkness-symboliszm

Joseph Conrad’s use of light and darkness to represent good and evil in the Heart of Darkness helps in developing the theme and the plot of the novel. Conrad uses the symbol of light and darkness repetitively throughout the novel in order to disclose his insight to the reader; Conrad uses light and darkness when referring to the Thames and Congo river, the skin color and hearts of the whites and blacks, and the …

…both is a love for Kurtz. The use of the symbols of light and darkness assist in developing many major themes in the Heart of Darkness. Many of these themes, if not grasped by the reader through the use of symbols and other literary devices, generate a misinterpretation of the novel. Therefore, the allegations deeming Conrad racist are merely the result of ignorant readers who do not comprehend the style of writing which he employs.