"Without a heart transformed by the grace of Christ, we simply continue to deal with external and internal darkness" (Chandler). In this quote from Matt Chandler, he explores the side of man consumed in sin without Christ. Depravity takes hold of humanity when the civilized world is taken away from them. Additionally, Joseph Conrad illustrates this idea in his novel Heart of Darkness by showing first-hand how evil man can become when isolated with his own sinful nature. Conrad uses the depths of the Congo to show how morality, restraint, and conscience elude man when he is removed from civilization. In his novel, Conrad uses the literary element of symbolism through painting, darkness, and the white tomb to demonstrate the theme of the story. As Marlow continues to work for the Company, he continues to see the darkness revealed in multiple ways. At the beginning of the story, Marlow talks about how dark the Congo is. Readers later come to see specific examples of what he meant. “'And this too,' Marlow said suddenly, 'has been one of the darkest places on earth'” (Conrad 3). Conrad uses darkness to symbolize the journey to the heart of humanity. When Marlow begins his story, he uses darkness to physically describe the Congo, but darkness later takes on an ambiguous meaning. Marlow sees the darkness represented in the cruelty of Europeans towards innocent Africans. For example, when he sees the heads on the posts outside Kurtz's cabin or the natives under the tree forced to behave like animals just to drink water (Conrad). Humanity is inherently evil, and this only increases when removed from civilization and God. What was once considered immoral and evil suddenly becomes normal and acceptable, like Marlow and his view of lying. One night, when Marlow sees the uncle holding out his fin to the manager, his nephew, he realizes that to succeed in the Company he will have to accept evil and darkness (Conrad). Humanity has embraced the darkest parts of nature while seeking to satisfy its obsession with ivory and wealth. Darkness takes the form of depravity, greed, madness and cruelty. It is clearly visible that the heart of man becomes dark when God is closed.