Question

What was the significance of the title of Heart of Darkness by joseph conrad?

Answer 1

The title is highly significant in case of Joseph Conard’s Heart of Darkness. This is because the title has double meaning in it. First of all is the literal meaning that refers to interior of Africa called Congo. Apart from the literal meaning the title also has a hidden meaning. The title also implicitly stands for the level of primitiveness or the level of darkness that is there within each person. A person’s heart and mind is sometimes enveloped in darkness and the title is subtly hinting at that as well.

Marlow describes the scenery in a vivid manner and this description alludes well to the title. The scenery is in a wild setting and the jungle is both thick as well as impenetrable. Natives are hiding in these villages. So the title is apt for this setting. Secondly the natives have darkness in their hearts which propels them to attack the steamer of Marlow. The title implicitly but strongly points to this darkness.