Journeys Essay

Studying the concept of journeys has significantly expanded the understanding of myself, individuals and the world. Journeys can be physical or psychological which enhances the traveller’s awareness on aspects of the human condition. A journey is a life changing experience, which enables the traveller to accumulate their knowledge and explore new horizons, with the no destination as the reward is the journey itself. It is also a process of self-discovery involving risk and obstacles. By encouraging these challenges, the journey allows an individual to explore and ultimately extend themselves. Journeys, whether chosen or forced, can have a range of impacts, positive or negative, on our future and form our past which continues to guide our future. These elements of journeys are supported by the prescribed text, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and the related text Keep Your Head Up, a song written by Andy Grammer and released in March 2012.
A Journey can be a physical evoking an inner and psychological journey that queries all aspects of a person’s strength of mind, spirit and character. The novel Heart of Darkness supports this element of journeys as Conrad suggests an arduous physical journey empty of society’s constraints inducing an inner and psychological journey containing many dangers. The novella suggests that all humans contain potential evil in our souls. Marlow’s sudden observation “And this also… has been one of the dark places of the earth” this introduces the motif of light and dark as an indicator that Marlow has undergone an inner journey. The greater understanding is said to come to those who survive and conquer their inner evil. Those few are strengthened in soul and mind and have gained a better knowledge about society and the human condition. Conrad’s tone throughout the novel suggests only a handful have ever conquered this test. Contrast is also used between Marlow and Kurtz. Kurtz is a man who has been isolated from civilisation and has