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.