Heart Of Darkness Moral Ambiguity Essay

In Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, Marlow displays moral ambiguity when he reacts to the conflict within the forest with the duality of good and evil. Duality of morals reflects the conflict between the light and dark, which respectively delineates the lies and truth. The moral ambiguity portrays mankind’s inner darkness that emerges once man is removed from civilization, which keeps the moral standard imposed on man. Marlow illustrates moral ambiguity to not only demonstrate both good and evil in humans, but also to promote moral consciousness in belief of man’s good intentions. Before Marlow leaves to go to the Congo, he visits his aunt who introduces him to the company through powerful connections. The aunt believes that imperialism is for “weaning those ignorant millions from their horrid ways” (Conrad 17). Imperialists justify greed as civilizing savages through exploration, but the aunt remains unsuspecting about the truth of the company’s motives. Her news reflect the general belief in civilized superiority, while Marlow understands “how out of touch with the truth women are” (Conrad 18). Conrad demonstrates the defense that hides the truth from the general people, portrayed by the aunt, which establishes Marlow’s protectiveness over women for their inability to handle the truth. Marlow indicates knowledge of the hidden motives by hinting “that the company was run for profit” (Conrad 17), which establishes the Marlow’s understanding of human greed. The aunt represents the ignorance of society, as she affirms the charitable pursuit of imperialists to civilize the natives and ignores Marlow’s hint of the truth. At this moment of his anecdote, Marlow pertains no moral obligations to others, only seeking an adventure into the wilderness and “lose [himself] in all the glories of exploration” (Conrad 9). He does not try to explain his aunt about the actual purpose, keeping her under the veil of civilization from the truth. Intentionally omitting the truth