Been working my way through the "classics" over the last few years and just finished Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. Can't say I liked it. Really a novella, so it was quick to read, but not sure I really understand why this is regarded as a significant literary work. If it's more of a snapshot of the time period, then I can understand it, I think War and Peace is a good example of that. Interested to hear others thoughts.

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ObscureMemes69420 t1_iujc2t6 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 7:34 PM

I think to understand its place as a classic in English Literature you have to consider it within the context it was written.

Unrelated, but I found it very impressive that Conrad was even able to write at such a high in English when his first language for most of his life was Polish.

Buksghost t1_iuk5p4j wrote on October 31, 2022 at 11:09 PM

“The Nellie, a cruising yawl, swung to her anchor without a flutter of the sails, and was at rest.”

That's what I marvel at. He went to sea at age 11 and learned English from British sailors but his use of imagery and metaphor are stunning. Heart of Darkness was a scathing commentary on colonialism that would have resonated with his audience as the world was just recognizing the horror of King Leopold and the Congo.

TelemachusBaccus t1_iujedc8 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 7:50 PM

That was my take away too lol. His third language and he can write so well. The story was mid tho

Shtune t1_iujaocj wrote on October 31, 2022 at 7:25 PM

It's an interesting perspective at the very least. Joseph Conrad traveled around the world in the merchant marine and saw what came from the British Empire and colonialism in general. He didn't consider Heart of Darkness to be all that important when he wrote it, and it didn't get much attention when it was published either. I believe it was included in an aggregation of short stories. Experts on colonialism dispute how he portrays native Africans and find it to be xenophobic.

Honestly, Apocalypse Now has probably added to people thinking it's a cornerstone of the literary world that everyone should read. That's my own personal opinion.

littleoldlady71 t1_iujr0ye wrote on October 31, 2022 at 9:16 PM

My reading of the book is much different than those most often cited. The journey the crew makes, keeping the treasure closed, is an analogy of the journey made by many people who guard what they think is of value, to the detriment of their own soul, when they find the treasure is made valueless by the cost of the secret.

MrClerkity t1_iujtiwe wrote on October 31, 2022 at 9:35 PM

Heart of Darkness is in the same league as Animal Farm as being a very political novel for its time. Joseph Conrad wrote it to shame European aristocrats espousing liberal ideas while tolerating the rape of African society in the name of empire building

MightySphincter t1_iujvk81 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 9:49 PM

I just really enjoy his writing. Creates beautiful paintings with words. And as another poster said, english was not even his first language. Wether you like the topic or not, he was a great writer.

hunterofhunters7 t1_iuip4aj wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:02 PM

I also read this for the first time recently and felt unimpressed. I think at the time it was published, the message of anti-imperialism and stark representation of it's impact was new for many readers and the novella's significance lies in being an early work in condemning colonization.

To modern readers, it feels like a shallow meditation on a topic that is very widely discussed and written about, so it's much less of a shock to us than it's original audience.

akira2bee t1_iujgkji wrote on October 31, 2022 at 8:04 PM

For me personally, I felt like it really highlighted something that isn't talked about enough, as where I live (Virginia, USA) we didn't learn anything about Africa or colonialism in Africa in school, and I still have relatives that believe that Africa is filled with tribes, poor people, and diseases.

I guess it just depends on the person who reads it though, like most book interpretations. Its not a perfect book by any means, but I do think it has an interesting perspective of what it means to be human and the nature of colonialism.

But thats just my personal opinion!

bc6619 OP t1_iuivo5z wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:45 PM

Well put, thanks for the response.

Susccmmp t1_iujim5l wrote on October 31, 2022 at 8:18 PM

Didn’t care for it in school and my teacher taught it well so I don’t think I lacked a total understanding of It, I just didn’t like it and haven’t reread it as an adult because it not being my taste hasn’t changed.