Pyschological

Conrad's depiction of Marlow's diminishing consciousness in The Heart of Darkness is reflected through the savagery and uncivilized conduct in the Congo. Marlow shows morals in the beginning but as he treks through the Congo he is not able to hold onto his morals. The experience in the Congo leads Marlow to question everything he believed in due to the putrid conditions of the Congo from British colonization. When Marlow is around civilized people he behaves in a likewise manner; however, the more time he spends in the Congo the more uncivilized he becomes because his understanding of humanity is challenged. Conrad suggests that the way an individual acts is a reflection of his surroundings. And the more time he spends in the Congo the more disconnected he is from the civilized outside world.