Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” is not simply “the story of a journey on a river”, but rather an in-depth psychological study of the human condition and the hidden nature of humanity conveyed in the form of a story. Conrad explores his perception of the human psyche through the concept of "restraint" and the ironic symbolism of light and dark imagery, presented in the context of 19th century colonization and imperialism. The value of the text for 21st century readers lies in the enduring nature of its psychological theme as the novella peers into the “heart of darkness” that exists within us all. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The motif of “restraint” is present throughout “Heart of Darkness,” and its meaning is gradually confirmed as the short story deepens its exploration. of the human condition. Conrad observes, under the guise of Marlow, that restraint (especially in forms of societal and work expectations) both influences and suppresses human behavior and decisions. This notion is illustrated through the portrait of the Manager, a man who embodies the greed, emptiness and moral ambiguity of colonization, and yet who has managed not to get lost in the "darkness" that he contributed to. to create. It is revealed that he saved himself from his dark desires through his "desire to keep up appearances". It was his restraint. As long as the manager at least appeared civilized and fulfilled his expected social obligations (such as his reaction to Kurtz's death, in which "he considered it necessary to sigh, but neglected to be constantly sad"), then he was able to measure a certain level of control over one's mind and subsequent actions. Marlow also viewed work as a suitable strain, commenting on the ability of hungry cannibals to concentrate on driving the steamboat instead of satisfying their wild appetites. He was particularly impressed by their behavior to the extent that he "would just as easily have expected the restraint of a hyena prowling among the corpses of a battlefield." The repeated emphasis on the theme of restraint in "Heart of Darkness" demonstrates the importance of self-control in remaining psychologically stable in an emotionally, ethically, and spiritually unstable environment, in this case the colonized Congo in the 19th century . possessing restraint, the severity of the lack of restraint and the associated consequences of this absence are considerable. Kurtz personifies the “darkness” of the human condition and the devastating results of a compulsive, greedy, and unbridled life. Initially described as an "emissary of pity, science and progress", Kurtz's disgrace deepened into his self-proclaimed status as a local deity and his complete loss of "restraint". His thirst for ivory (the white man's currency) had "consumed his flesh and sealed his soul", giving him a grotesque "voracious appearance" that made it seem as if his whole being, not just his soul, was corrupt. “Kurtz lacked restraint in the satisfaction of his various lusts,” and thus fell into the illusion that he had power over those lusts – “My Recipient, my ivory, my station, my river…all belonged to him. " However, it quickly becomes apparent that what mattered to Kurtz was not what belonged to him, but rather "what he belonged to, how many powers of darkness claimed him for their own." Even when he is "saved" by Marlow, Kurtz makes a desperate effort to escape into the desert, preferring to remain in the "darkness", knowing that he will lose.”