In Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad uses the journey into the African Congo as a metaphor for a descent into the darkest corners of the human psyche. Write a well-structured argumentative essay in which you explore how Conrad uses the character of Kurtz to reveal the moral decay that lurks beneath the facade of European imperialism and civilization. In your essay, consider how literary devices such as symbolism, imagery, and narrative framing (specifically Marlow as an unreliable narrator) contribute to Conrad's central critique.

In Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad takes Marlow's journey into the Congo to reveal the moral decay and self-deception central to European imperialism. In a well-structured essay, argue how Conrad uses narrative framing, symbolism, and characterization—especially through Marlow and Kurtz—to critique colonial ideology while also drawing the reader into its assumptions. Your essay should present a clear and defensible claim backed by specific textual evidence and thoughtful literary analysis.

In Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad uses Marlow's journey into the Congo to reveal the moral decay and self-deception that underpin European imperialism. In a well-structured essay, argue how Conrad employs narrative framing, symbolism, and characterization — particularly through Marlow and Kurtz — to critique the ideology of colonialism while also implicating the narrator (and, by extension, the reader) in the very system being criticized.