# II explained — Heart of Darkness

> Chapter companion for Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.

## What happens

Marlow describes the journey deeper into the jungle, the eerie stillness and the incomprehensible frenzy of the natives, his struggle to keep the steamboat running, the encounter with the Russian trader, and the growing anticipation of meeting Kurtz as they approach his station.

## Themes in this chapter

### Darkness and the Human Soul

Marlow reflects on the 'remote kinship' with the wild uproar and the truth stripped of time, suggesting the darkness within.

### The Wilderness as a Force

The jungle is described as prehistoric, unearthly, and brooding with an implacable force, watching and overwhelming.

### Hypocrisy of Civilization

Marlow contrasts the 'fine sentiments' of civilization with the raw truth of the wilderness, and notes the manager's malevolence.

## Character check-ins

### Marlow

Narrates the journey, struggles with the steamboat, reflects on the wilderness and the natives.

### Mr. Kurtz

The destination of the journey; Marlow measures progress towards him and anticipates meeting him.

### The Russian

Mentioned as the 'miserable trader' and 'intruder' by the manager; Marlow notes he must be English.

## Key lines

> We were wanderers on a prehistoric earth, on an earth that wore the aspect of an unknown planet.

We felt like travelers on a primeval world, an alien planet.

_Marlow conveys the alien and ancient nature of the jungle._

> The earth seemed unearthly. We are accustomed to look upon the shackled form of a conquered monster, but there—there you could look at a thing monstrous and free.

The land felt supernatural; we are used to seeing a subdued enemy, but here we saw something wild and unchained.

_Marlow contrasts the tamed colonial view with the untamed reality._

> The inner truth is hidden—luckily, luckily. But I felt it all the same; I felt often its mysterious stillness watching me at my monkey tricks.

The deeper reality is concealed, fortunately, yet I sensed its silent observation of my futile efforts.

_Marlow hints at an underlying, ominous truth beyond surface tasks._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/heart_of_darkness_se/chapters/ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/heart_of_darkness_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/heart_of_darkness_se/chapters