Marlow's uncertainty regarding the morality and righteousness of colonization is

highlighted when he states," What redeems it is the idea only. An idea at the back of
it: not a sentimental pretence but an idea; and an unselfish belief in the ideasomething you can set up, and bow down before, and offer a sacrifice to..." In this
ambiguous statement Marlow uses double entendre to identify that Imperialism has
many inherent problems within it. The literal interpretation indentifies that
Imperialism has little to no backing apart from the 'idea' of Christianity as evidenced
by the holy imagery. While the symbolic interpretation views Imperialism as a
device to gather ivory as to increase Britain's own wealth which makes the holy
imagery ironic. Both interpretations use Marlow's repetition of the word 'idea' and
breaking off of his sentence to emphasize his own doubt on the morality of
colonialism. The symbolic view on Imperialism is also reinforced by Marlow's
statement when he arrives at the Company's Central station, "The word ivory rang
in the air, was whispered, was sighed. You would think they were praying to it."
Marlow's statement uses auditory imagery to emphasise the importance of 'ivory' to
the employees within the company. Indeed, the word 'ivory' has become symbolic of
the greed and cruelty that has consumed the company as well as ironically
becoming a source of worship with its adherents viewing it as a means to achieving
social advancement and wealth.
However before his experiences in the Congo jungle Marlow can be seen to embody
the European belief regarding Colonialism as seen by his ironic statement, "After all
I also was a part of the great cause of these high and just proceedings." In saying
this Marlow has ironically referred to slavery as a 'high' and 'just', words which hold
connotations of fairness and moral integrity. Marlow's reference to the subjugation
of the native, black populace as a 'great cause' also encapsulates the ignorance
among European society of the Victorian era. Marlow's quote regarding the natives
they have recruited to operate the steamboat also depict Marlow as being
emblematic of the teachings of Colonialism, "Fine fellows- cannibals- in their place.
They were men one could work with, and I am grateful to them. And after all, they
did not eat each other before my face." In saying this Marlow highlights the corrupt
nature of Colonialism where the supposedly 'civilised' white Europeans were willing
to set aside their morals and values to turn a blind eye towards what they deemed
to be 'savage' acts should it benefit them and as long as they 'savage acts' did not
occur before them. This is exemplified through the change of tone within the
statement where Marlow uses oxymoron and positive connotations in 'fine fellowscannibals' which imply that the cannibals are admirable or splendid. However he
inverses this by saying that the cannibals are only so when they are in their place
which Marlow interprets as serving the Europeans.
Even so prior to his journey Marlow distinguishes himself as a character who has the
capacity of moral distinction and recognises the wrongs that are present in
colonialism albeit subconsciously. This is apparent when he says, "Something like an
emissary of light, something like a lower sort of apostle." Yet shortly after he

juxtaposes this proclamation by describing himself as an 'imposter'. In using divine

allusion to describe his new occupation as a colonist Marlow emphasises the corrupt
and ignorant society he has been influenced by. How by describing himself as an
'imposter' Marlow conveys negative connotations of skullduggery of fraud and in
doing so reveals he possess a natural moral integrity which accentuates any
character corrosions or introspection which Marlow undergoes in his journey.
After his journey Marlow is shown to be a calm, meditative and somewhat eccentric
man as seen by him being described with, "sat cross-legged aft, leaning back
against the mizzen mast. He had sunken cheeks, a yellow complexion, a straight
back, an ascetic aspect, and with his arms dropped, the palm of hands outward,
resembled an idol." This depiction of Marlow alludes to Buddha in the lotus position
which signifies the emergence of light into darkness acting as a synecdoche for
Marlow's spiritual and moral rebirth, through the use of light and dark imagery. This
ultimately suggests that Marlow has completed some serious introspection as a
result of his experiences in the Congo which has culminated in a shift of his ideals
and beliefs.
Marlow's comment on London as," one of the dark places of the Earth," emphasises
the shifts in his perspective as a result of the black slavery and cultural
assassination he has witnessed in Congo as a direct consequence of British
Colonialism and Imperialism. His description of London as a 'dark place' also uses
dark imagery to imply negative connotations of evil, cruelty and barbaric behaviour
which challenges the contextual paradigm of Britain being the pinnacle of civility
and culture. This comment also contrasts with the unknown narrator's depiction of
the River Thames which is emblematic of London and Britain, "It had borne all the
ships whose names are like jewels flashing in the night of time." The simile of
'Jewel' to describe the ships hold positive connotations of value or esteem while the
metaphor used in 'night of time' denotes that these ships will be remembered
through history and are timeless regardless of context. This depicts a patriotic
image of Great Britain and places it within an eminent light.
The unknown narrator's perception of Britain as one of the greatest places on the
known Earth is exemplified by his statement, "bearing the sword, and often the
torch (...) , bearers of a spark from the sacred fire." The use of light imagery in
'torch' depicts the idea of leading the way and unveiling the darkness of unexplored
places, as well as 'civilizing' them with Great Britain being metaphorically described
as the heart of civilization through the metaphor of 'sacred fire'.
Marlow's perception of Colonialism is altered by his experiences at the Central
station where he is exposed to the many negative traits and lies of colonialism.
Marlow emphasises this when he says, "There was an air of plotting about that
station, but nothing came of it, of course. It was as unreal as everything elseas
the philanthropic pretence of the whole concern, as their talk, as their government,
as their show of work. The only real feeling was a desire to get appointed to a

trading-post where ivory was to be had, so that they could earn percentages."
Through the use repetition of 'as their' and alliteration of 'p' in 'philanthropic
pretence' Marlow accentuates the false sense of goodness, charity or purity which
Great Britain advertises while using the symbolism of 'ivory' to point out the greed
which is inherent among the employees of the company, ironically driving them into
petty squabbles and chicanery against each other as to fraudulently make more
money.
Marlow is also introduced as an exceptional character with little to no flaws or
criticism to be made on him as seen when the narrator says, "The worst that could
be said of him was that he did not represent his class." As a result of his seemingly
flawless characterization Marlow amplifies any character contradictions or
corrosions that he undergoes in his journey and provides multiple options on what
the 'heart of darkness' really is. For if a character as great as Marlow narrowly
escapes corruption as a result of his uncanny restraint, than is it a flaw in human
nature that causes us to act deplorably when in positions of power or is it the result
of stressful situations and circumstances which causes the degradation of
characters. Indeed both interpretations have their own meaning behind them with
the literal perspective interpreting Africa as a dark and foreboding continent with
Congo at its heart and ivory as its treasure. This symbolic imagery of ivory
ultimately represent the greed that has consumed the European colonizers when
placed in a position where they can escape their inherited social class. While the
symbolic view emphasises the base human desires that are supposedly inherent in
all humans when placed in a position of power, this is reflected through Marlow and
his character flaw where he fails to stand by his convictions and act against the
slavery as well as abuse of native individuals when in a European domain. However,
when he is deep within the jungle in the inner station and in a position of equal or
greater power he sides with Kurtz against the manager. It is also important to note
the character differences between the two seemingly similar characters of Marlow
and Kurtz. While they both set out with philanthropic ambitions of helping the local
populaces Kurtz abandons his benevolent ideals once he has tasted the power he
can control within the jungle. Instead he sets himself up as an omnipotent despot to
the natives in the inner station, obsessed with the continued gathering of ivory
through the use of absolute force. In contrast, Marlow for the most part suppresses
these evil urges but suffers mental torment and contradiction as a result of his
ideals clashing with his reality. As a result Marlow finds that he cannot feasibly live a
normal life in European society anymore as he has witnessed the lies that sustain it.