In today's blog post I'm going to be referencing a discusion we had today during class about the Book "Heart of Darkness" It's really a very interesting book about an adventure into the Congo during the late 19th century.
The main point that stuck with me from today's fishbowl discussion was from when were were discussing the title of the book- "Heart of Darkness" - where it came from, and for that matter, what is the "darkness"?
 |
| via |
During class, we not only discussed that the darkness the Conrad was referring to was the colonization of Africa, but that the Europeans during the time period were really the one's in the darkness. They had no clue how terrible the actions really were that were going on down there in Africa.
I think that this a really cool and unique way to analyze the title of the book. I think that being able to access the title of the book and find the deeper meaning of it like we did in class can bring you deeper into the book because it's shows you almost a hidden tidbit that the author planted that many other people may not see.
I think that the insight that the Europeans are the ones really in the darkness is a valid and accurate insight into the book. It definatley makes sense literarily and historically. An insight that I've somewhat developed myself is that maybe the book is titled "Heart of Darkness" because the Europeans believed they were doing something good by civilizing the African's (the heart) and the darkness comes from the fact that although the Europeans see it as a good thing, (having a heart.) The heart, in all reality, is filled with darkness. I doubt that made much sense, but i suppose it's pretty self explanatory anyways. Maybe.
I can definitely see myself using these insights, as well as the other ones we brought up in class to help with my understanding of not only the book, but also to the history we've been learning about recently. I think it's really cool that we get to connect our english work to what we're currently learning in history class. It gives you a much different perspective on what happend and I think that's a very academically enriching experience. :)
-jordan
