One of the greatest literary classics by Polish-British writer Joseph Conrad is the novella Heart of Darkness. The story is set in the Belgian-controlled Congo during the late 29th century. The story follows Charles Marlow, a riverboat captain who takes on a dangerous expedition upriver. Along the way, he encounters unexpected challenges and learns the dark truth about European imperialism.
Although it was first published over a hundred years ago, Heart of Darkness remains relevant today. It is a powerful and timeless story about the corrupting influence of power and greed. These themes still resonate in the modern world and are often the subject of many essays about the novella.
But, to write a great essay on Heart of Darkness, it’s essential to understand the story in addition to Conrad’s unique writing style. In this article, we’ll look at some tips on how to write an essay about the novella and provide 90 Heart of Darkness essay topics to help you get started.
About Conrad’s Writing Style
To write a good essay about Heart of Darkness, you need to understand Conrad’s writing style. The novella is written in the first person, from the perspective of Marlow. It also uses flashbacks and dream sequences to tell the story. This can make it challenging to follow at times, but it’s important to pay attention to the details in the story.
Another aspect of Conrad’s writing style is his use of symbolism. For example, the river in the story symbolizes the journey into the unknown, while the darkness represents the evil that Marlow encounters. Paying close attention to these symbols will help you understand the novella on a deeper level.
Finally, Conrad’s use of language is also worth noting. He often uses phrases in different languages, which can be challenging to understand. However, these phrases usually have a significant meaning and can help paint a picture of the setting or characters.
Essay Writing Tips: Heart of Darkness
Now that we’ve looked at Conrad’s writing style, let’s look at some tips on how to write a great essay about Heart of Darkness.
1. Choose a topic that interests you
There are many themes and symbols in Heart of Darkness to choose from when selecting a topic for your essay. However, it’s essential to select a topic that interests you. This will make writing the essay much easier and more enjoyable.
2. Do your research
To write a good essay, you need to do your research. Not only should you have read Heart of Darkness at least once in its entirety, but you should also have detailed notes about the story. These notes will come in handy when you’re writing your essay and need to refer back to specific parts of the novella.
3. Create a plan
Before you start writing your essay, it’s crucial to create a plan. This plan should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Having a plan will help to keep you on track and ensure that your essay flows smoothly.
4. Be clear and concise
When writing your essay, it’s important to be clear and concise. This means avoiding long, run-on sentences and sticking to the point. Your goal should be to communicate your ideas in a clear and easy-to-understand manner.
Writing a Heart of Darkness Essay
Several different essay writing styles can be applied to Heart of Darkness—however, they all have a few things in common that are worth keeping in mind.
1. Thesis statement
Every essay should have a thesis statement that summarizes the essay’s main point. For example, when writing about Heart of Darkness, your thesis statement could focus on the novella’s commentary on imperialism or its use of symbolism. Some great examples of thesis statements for Heart of Darkness include:
“Heart of Darkness is a commentary on the corrupting influence of power and greed.”
“The symbols in Heart of Darkness help to paint a picture of the darkness that Marlow encounters.”
“Conrad’s use of language creates a feeling of unease and foreboding, making Heart of Darkness a truly unsettling story.”
2. Introductory paragraph
Your introductory paragraph should give the reader a brief overview of what your essay will be about. It should also include your thesis statement. Be sure to include any relevant details about the story the reader will need to know before moving on to the body of your essay.
3. Body paragraphs
The body paragraphs of your essay will be where you flesh out your ideas and support your thesis statement. Each body paragraph should focus on a different idea, and each idea should be backed up with evidence from the novella. When quoting from Heart of Darkness, be sure to use the proper citation format.
4. Conclusion
Your conclusion should summarize the main points of your essay and leave the reader with something to think about. It’s also a good idea to include a call-to-action in your conclusion, such as urging the reader to read Heart of Darkness for themselves.
90 Heart of Darkness Essay Topics
If you’re struggling to come up with a topic for your Heart of Darkness essay, consider one of the following ideas.
Heart of Darkness Essay Topics About Power
- How is Power represented in Heart of Darkness?
- What does Conrad say about the corrupting influence of power?
- How does power relate to the theme of imperialism?
- What role does Kurtz’s quest for power play in the novella?
- Who would you consider the most powerful person in the novella?
- Who would be considered the least powerful in Heart of Darkness?
- What other circumstances could have happened to make Kurtz more powerful?
- How is power used as a form of control in Heart of Darkness?
- What characters in the novella seem to crave power?
- Is Heart of Darkness an optimistic or pessimistic view of power?
Heart of Darkness Essay Topics About Greed
- What symbols in the novella represent greed?
- What role does greed play in the novella?
- How does Conrad depict those who are driven by greed?
- Is there anyone in the novella who isn’t motivated by greed?
- How does greed contribute to the theme of power?
- What would the novella be like if greed wasn’t a factor?
- Would Kurtz still be considered a hero if he wasn’t motivated by greed?
- How does Conrad’s portrayal of greed compare to other works of literature?
- What real-life examples can you find that parallel the greed in Heart of Darkness?
- Does Conrad ultimately condemn greed or condone it?
Heart of Darkness Essay Topics About Race
- How is race depicted in Heart of Darkness?
- What role does race play in the novella?
- What are some of the racist attitudes expressed by characters in the novella?
- How does Conrad’s treatment of race compare to other works of literature?
- Compare and contrast racism in the novella to racism in modern times.
- Does Conrad ultimately condemn racism or condone it?
- How would the novella be different if it was set in a different time period?
- How would the novella be different if it was set in a different location?
- What characters in the novella are most affected by racism?
- Would the novella still be influential if Conrad hadn’t included any racist attitudes?
Heart of Darkness Essay Topics About Colonialism
- Does the novella promote or critique colonialism?
- What symbols in the novella represent colonialism?
- What is Conrad’s opinion of colonialism?
- How does Conrad’s portrayal of colonialism compare to other works of literature?
- Argue for or against Conrad’s depiction of colonialism.
- Compare and contrast colonialism in the novella to colonialism in modern times.
- What characters in the novella are most affected by colonialism?
- Would the novella still be effective if Conrad hadn’t included any references to colonialism?
- How would the novella be different if it was set in a different time period?
- Ultimately, is colonialism in the novella portrayed positively or negatively?
Heart of Darkness Essay Topics About Evil
- What symbols in the novella represent evil?
- What role does evil play in the novella?
- How does Conrad depict those who are motivated by evil?
- Is there anyone in the novella who isn’t evil?
- Compare and contrast two evil characters and their motivations.
- How does evil contribute to the theme of power?
- Would Kurtz still be considered a hero if he wasn’t motivated by evil?
- Does Conrad ultimately condemn evil or condone it?
- What real-life examples can you find that parallel the evil in Heart of Darkness?
- Is the evil represented in Heart of Darkness still present in the modern-day world?
- Do you think you would have been affected by the same evils as the characters in the novella if you were in their position?
- What choices would you have made differently than the characters to avoid succumbing to evil?
- Do you think that colonialism is the sole cause of the evil written about in the novella?
Heart of Darkness Essay Topics About Futility
- Who is the most futile character in the novella?
- What symbols in the novella represent futility?
- Does futility in the novella still mimic any real-world scenarios today?
- How does futility get the better of a particular character in the novella?
- What would the novella be like if futility wasn’t a factor?
- How does Conrad’s portrayal of futility compare to other works of literature?
- Compare other examples of futility in Conrad’s works to those found in Heart of Darkness.
- Argue for or against Conrad’s inclusion of futility in the novella.
- What theme would be lost if futility wasn’t included?
- How does Conrad use irony in conjunction with futility?
Heart of Darkness Essay Topics About the River
- What role does the river play in the novella?
- Explain Conrad’s use of foreshadowing with the river?
- How would the novella be different if the river wasn’t included?
- Explain the three most significant descriptions of the river and how they affect the storyline.
- Did Conrad’s depiction of the river accurately reflect his own experiences in Africa?
- What other works of literature use the river as a symbol?
- Compare and contrast how Conrad uses the river compared to other authors.
- Pick other ideas that the river could represent outside its main purpose.
- How does the river contribute to the theme of power?
Heart of Darkness Essay Topics About Hypocrisy
- How is the hypocrisy of colonial imperialism portrayed in the novella?
- What characters are most hypocritical?
- Explain Conrad’s use of irony with hypocrisy.
- How would the novella be different if hypocrisy wasn’t included?
- What theme would be lost without hypocrisy?
- Compare and contrast other examples of hypocrisy in Conrad’s works.
- How does hypocrisy contribute to the theme of corruption?
- Do you think Conrad was trying to make a statement about hypocrisy in general with this novella?
- How could the characters have avoided succumbing to hypocrisy?
- What real-world examples can you find that relate to the hypocrisy in Heart of Darkness?
Heart of Darkness Essay Topics About Imperialism
- What is your opinion on imperialism as it relates to Heart of Darkness?
- Do you think that Conrad’s portrayal of imperialism was accurate?
- Do you think Conrad was trying to make a statement about imperialism with this novella?
- What other works of literature deal with imperialism, and how do they compare to this novella?
- Is there a way to read Heart of Darkness and not come away with an opinion on imperialism?
- What would the novella be like without imperialist ideas?
- How does imperialism contribute to the theme of power?
- Would the story have been the same if a different country other than Belgium had been colonizing Africa?
These 90 Heart of Darkness essay topics should give you plenty of fodder for a great essay. But, no matter which route you take, make sure to follow the writing tips above and always proofread your work before turning it in to your instructor.
