The Metaphysical Dimension in Heart of Darkness Sofia Arslan College

Conrad has written Heart of Darkness in such a way that the literary devices of symbolism, imagery, paradox and personification act as a catalyst for bringing out the metaphysical meaning behind the literal text. The physical journey of Marlowe to Congo, the atrocities he witnesses there and the insight he gains – all of it is fleshed out and given emblematic form on a metaphysical dimension. Hence, the depth of this novel is not characterized by nor restricted to, one person’s journey to find the truth about the African Landscape. But, it is symbolic of how Nature herself brings out the Truth about humanity through the epiphanies of one man.Therefore, the novel operates on two levels: The first is outlined by the textural relaying of Marlowe’s story –the physical landscape in Marlowe’s journey is softened by the ambiguity, confusion and juxtaposing ideologies that he encounters in his quest for uncovering the truth behind those “white, blank spaces [Nature] on the map.” The second level however, shows us the map to the shrouded Metaphysical dimension – which exceeds our imagination and the collective social consciousness - wherein the tale goes beyond its literal meaning and starkly paints the “Truth about Man” in unflinching...