The Congo is so often referred to as the "Heart of Africa." Because the setting of the novel Heart of Darkness, is in the Congo, the title is very applicable. With white men coming into the Congo and enslaving the blacks, the heart of Africa has turned into more of a dark pit. The heart of Africa has become the heart of darkness.
"Behind this raw matter one of the reclaimed, the product of new forces at work, strolled despondently, carrying a rifle by it's middle." (13) This description is of a white man who is in control of the slaves in the "iron collars." Going back to our previous lessons, this can be applied to the nature vs. nurture debate. The man in control of the slaves is under the command of a higher force, "He had a uniform jacket..." (13) Therefore, he is only doing his job by following orders, right? That question is debatable, because to some that is the truth, but to others this man has a moral obligation to do what is humane.
Either way, the title of the book brilliantly includes the setting of the "Heart of Africa" as well as the darkness that is ominously looming over the people in it. By mixing these to idea's/themes, Joseph Conrad has created at title which can give the reader an idea about what will happen.
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