Maria Boros

The Symbolism of Darkness and Light in Joseph Conrad's Literary Works: the Symbolism of Darkness and Light, Black and White in Heart of Darkness and Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad Maria Boros

When I read Heart of Darkness for the first time, I had never though that I would ever write a book about it. I think I am not the only one who found Heart of Darkness indigestible and incomprehensible for the first time. Joseph Conrad is a kind of writer whose works need be read at least three times or even more to understand not only the gist or main message but the importance of each detail. The more times you read Conrad?s works the more you understand them, you discover that every little thing has meaning and significance. In this book I am focusing on the opposition between darkness and light, black and white, their role both in Heart of Darkness and Lord Jim. Conrad seems to use the colours in a conscious way, he emphasizes, expresses, suggests or refers to something or sometimes he simply plays with them. I wish everyone as much pleasure as I had while proceeding ?deeper and deeper into the heart of darkness? (Heart of Darkness, p. 62.)