Symbolic Significance of the Setting in Heart of Darkness
Africa
itself with its forests its heat and its mysteries is only a symbol of the
larger darkness which exists in the heart of man. It is true that Heart of Darkness leads us to the dark region of the heart of man who has surrendered
himself to the weaker passions of life such as greed and lust for wealth. The
dark forests of central Africa also symbolize primitive savagery lust and greed
the darkness of ancient savagery and barbarism. The degeneration of the white
men
under the corroding influence of these tropical regions is symbolic of the
degeneration and decay corruption and loss of values of contemporary
civilization. This decay and disorder is also symbolized by the rusting boilers
upturned engines and railway lines decaying machinery etc. which Marlow comes
across at the first company’s station. The inner station of the company where
Kurtz stays symbolizes the subconscious and the fog which envelops the ship
symbolizes the difficult process through which alone one can reach the
subconscious.
