Heart of Darkness is a novella by Joseph Conrad, first published in 1899. It tells the story of Marlow, an Englishman who travels up the Congo River in search of the mysterious Kurtz, a European trader who has become a powerful figure in the African interior. Along the way, Marlow encounters a variety of characters and experiences, and his journey becomes a psychological exploration of the darkness of human nature.
The story begins with Marlow, a sailor, telling his story to a group of men on a boat in the Thames. He recounts his journey up the Congo River, which he undertook at the behest of a Belgian trading company. As he travels, Marlow encounters a variety of people, including the natives of the area, who are treated cruelly by the Europeans. He also meets a Russian trader, who tells him of Kurtz, a man who has become a powerful figure in the African interior.
Marlow eventually reaches Kurtz's station, where he finds the man in a state of physical and mental decline. Kurtz has become a god-like figure to the natives, and he has become obsessed with acquiring ivory. Marlow is appalled by Kurtz's actions, and he begins to understand the darkness of human nature.
Kurtz eventually dies, and Marlow returns to Europe with Kurtz's last words, "The horror! The horror!" Marlow's journey has been a psychological exploration of the darkness of human nature, and he has come to understand that the darkness is within all of us.
The novella is a powerful exploration of colonialism, racism, and the darkness of human nature. It is a classic work of literature that has been widely studied and discussed. Heart of Darkness is a powerful and thought-provoking work that continues to resonate with readers today.