Heart of Darkness, written by Joseph Conrad in 1899, follows Charles Marlow, a sailor who journeys up the Congo River into Central Africa to find Kurtz, a brilliant but enigmatic ivory agent who has gained godlike power over the local people and descended into madness. Through Marlow's narrative, Conrad exposes the brutality and hypocrisy of European imperialism, revealing how so-called "civilized" colonizers commit horrific atrocities under the guise of enlightenment. As Marlow penetrates deeper into the jungle, he confronts the darkness lurking within human nature itself. This powerful novella remains a profound meditation on colonialism, moral ambiguity, and the fragile veneer of civilization.
