Darkness of the Heart

“Trees, tress, millions of trees, massive, immense, running, up high; and at their foot, hugging the bank against the stream, crept the little begrimed steamboat, like a sluggish beetle crawling on the floor of a lofty portico. It made you feel very small, very lost, and yet it was not altogether depressing that feeling.” (Pg. 48)

In this quotation Marlow is describing the scenery of the African jungle, while traveling on his steam boat down the Congo river. Marlow vividly describes the raw beauty of his surroundings while also reflecting on the danger and unknown. This contrast of beauty and danger creates a powerful sense of mystery in the reader, while also revealing Marlow’s own emotions. I also believe that this quote provides evidence of an alternate meaning to the title, ‘Heart of Darkness’. Initially this title is perceived as describing mankind's journey into the heart of darkness, which is Africa. However after reading this quote I think it is clear that Africa is a place of beauty and not darkness. Whereas the traders and natives in the book seem to evolve around violence and destruction. Therefore it is in actual fact the human’s who posses the darkness and are bringing it with them into Africa. Hence the darkness referred to in the title is a darkness of the human heart and not that of Africa.