An analysis of the women in "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad.

Heart of sinfulness

A striking contrast in the story Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is the differences between the two women that Kurtz is involved with. His int abolished, a uncontaminating fair sex who waits faithfully for him in Europe, and his fiery African cocotte helper to reinforce the themes and ideas in the story.

The two main feminine characters can be seen as symbols of the contrast between dead and darkness. Kurtzs mistress is fantastic and superb, wild-eyed and magnificent. There is something ominous and fearful in her deliberate progress. She embodies the wild, untamed land of Africa. She is dark-skinned, haughty, and unwavering. Her aloofness and savage nature add to the depicting of her as evil. Kurtzs intended, who he leaves in Europe, has fair hair, pale visage, [and] pure brow. Unlike the African woman, she hangs her breaker point in sorrow. She is the ideal woman, who will uphold the memory of Kurtz and be faithful, not passionate. There is nothing evil about her, but naïve good-intentions and unquestioning loyalty.

Kurtzs mistress and his Intended also help us gain insight into his decline into madness. When Marlow meets him he no longer cares for the principles of society, and is cheating on his fiancé with the African woman.



The African woman represents how Kurtz has formed an alliance with the natives.

Conrads own belief that women are further removed from the reality of men is reinforced through his portrayal of Kurtzs Intended. She cherishes the thought that Kurtz is a man dedicated to saving the Africans. She is veritable that Kurtz loved her faithfully, never realizing that he has an African lover. I all know how to morn him as he deserves, she seems to say. At the end of the tale, Kurtz finds her so pathetic he attempts...

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