Heart of Darkness Part 2

           Archetypes are very much abound in "Heart of Darkness". In fact the title has the archetypal symbol of darkness in it. Darkness symbolizes chaos, mystery, and evil. The Africans described in the novel are all (as Marlow says) black.Associating a negative connotation towards the Africans. The river where Marlow lost his helmsman  represents death and rebirth. Even more so because Marlow dumped his body in the river. The sun represents enlightenment and wisdom, and many of the characters are told to stay out of the sun or that the exposure will make them go mad. The Africans take part in dancing, which is considered symbols of sexual pleasure. Many of the European characters look down upon their dances and customs. The wise old man could be a play on Mr. Kurtz , who is considered a god-like figure who knows all. Marlow has a somewhat typical archetypal journey. He willingly goes to Africa and has no supernatural aid. He does however have the crossing of the first threshold and the bellow of the whale experience when first arriving to Africa. He doesn't have many trial but he does see the injustices towards Africans. There is no meeting with a goddess, except his obsession with Kurtz. He does however deify or apotheosize his dead helmsman (who while in his life Marlow called him an idiot). And finally Marlow meets Kurtz.The fact that Kurtz isn't who Marlow thinks he is the rescue from without and when he finally returns to England it is the return threshold and finally the freedom to live.