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MHS Library | Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

MAP TEXT: "IMPERIAL FEDERATION,—map of the world showing the extent of the BRITISH EMPIRE in 1886. / Statistical Information furnished by aptain J. C. R. Colomb, M.P. formerly R.M.A. ____ British Territories coloured red."
MAP CREDIT: Macclure and Co., Queen Victoria Street, London, 1886. Collected in the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library. (link)

Map source

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Heart of Darkness (1899) is a novella by Polish-English novelist Joseph Conrad, about a voyage up the Congo River into the Congo Free State, in the heart of Africa, by the story's narrator Charles Marlow.[1] Marlow tells his story to friends aboard a boat anchored on the River Thames. This setting provides the framefor Marlow's story of his obsession with the ivory trader Kurtz, which enables Conrad to create a parallel between "the greatest town on earth" and Africa as places of darkness.[2]

Central to Conrad's work is the idea that there is little difference between so-called civilised people and those described as savages; Heart of Darkness raises questions about imperialism and racism.[3] (Source: Wikipedia)

Articles online

The fine art of ambiguous writing: The author Reif Larsen says Joseph Conrad and Anselm Kiefer taught him how to practice omission without infuriating his readers.
The man behind the pen: Does his writing define him?
"Journey into the Past: the Sociocultural Interpretation of Heart of Darkness" by Lydia B. (Spring 2014)
"Conrad’s Maps and the Scramble for Africa: The Heart of Darkness" by John G. (Spring 2014)
"Conrad’s Imperialism in Heart of Darkness" by Dylan S. (Spring 2014)
“'A Fury of Generous Indignation': Critical Perspectives on King Leopold II’s Rule in the Congo Free State" by Ryan W. (Spring 2014)
Contested Images: Race and Gender in the 19th Century and Beyond

"A Readable Report": Conrad's Use (and Abuse?) of Genre and Style

Aftereffects: Conrad and The Twentieth Century

 

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