The Theme of Discipline and Control in Conrad's "The Heart of Darkness"
Graduation Date
Summer 1960
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Degree Granting Institution
Catholic University of America
Program Name
Humanities
Abstract
On March 18, 1917, seven years before his death, Joseph Conrad wrote to Sir Sidney Colvin:
Perhaps you won’t find it presumption if, after 22 years of work, I may say that I have not been very well understood, I have been called a writer of the sea, of the tropics, a descriptive writer, a romantic writer—and also a realist. But as a matter of fact all my concern has been with the ideal value of things, events and people.
At another time he stated that in his writings he "aimed at an element as restless, as dangerous, as changeable as the sea, and even more vast; the unappeasable ocean of human life." He claimed, furthermore, that his aim had always been the ’’conscientious rendering ' of truth in thought and fact. In the Preface to Nigger of the Narcissus he clearly enunciated his conception of the artist’s masterpiece, a conception which he attempted to make a reality in his own works:
And art itself may be defined as a single-minded attempt to render the highest kind of justice to the visible universe, by bringing to light the truth, manifold and one, underlying its every aspect. It is an attempt to find in its forms, in its colours, in its light, in its shadows, in the aspects of matter, and in the facts of life what of each is fundamental, what is enduring and essential—their one illuminating and convincing quality—the very truth of their existence.
I have undertaken this study to show one aspect of the truth of existence, as Conrad sees it; to show this by analyzing the theme of discipline and control in Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness.” This theme is presented through Marlow’s description of his voyage up the Congo River, a journey which gives him, as captain of the river boat, many opportunities to observe human life.