The first topic to be discussed is the setting of London in “Heart of Darkness.” The book opens on the Thames River in London. This is where Marlow is introduced, and begins telling his long story by saying Thames has a dark history. When he says this, Marlow is referring to ancient times when England was first colonized by the Romans. At that time the Romans were civilized while London was an uncivilized place (Morris). The setting of London heightens the theme by indirectly setting the reader up for the brutality Marlow will see on the Congo River. The beginning of “Heart of Darkness” gives the idea that great things can come from imperialism. For instance, London at the time is the capital and largest city of Great Britain, and before the Romans imperialized on London it was uncivilized. This gives a sense that Marlow approves of imperialism. Marlow even states, “We live in the flicker—may it last as long as the old earth keeps rolling! But darkness was here yesterday” (Conrad 3). Marlow directly states that the Romans only brought greatness to London. When Marlow realizes what English trading is like, he gives the reader a new view on imperialism. The original setting of London is used to heighten the theme of “Heart of Darkness.” Marlow’s views change as he travels away from London.
The next setting of “Heart of Darkness” is Brussels. This is where Marlow is hired to fix a river steamer and become its captain. Marlow is told he must visit the company offices to get his commissions and get orders about his new job. The people who work at the company headquarters in Brussels talk to Marlow as though he is not going to return (Morris). This is the setting where Marlow begins to show his dislike for how the Belgians had imperialized in the Congo. As the setting moves closer to the Congo, Marlow’s views on imperialism change and become stronger. This is one way in which the setting heightens the theme. Not only does the feeling the reader gets from the setting heighten the theme, but the way Marlow describes the setting does so also. Marlow says,
In a very few hours I arrived in a city that always makes me think of a whited sepulcher. Prejudice no doubt. I had no difficulty in finding the company’s offices. It was the biggest thing in the town, and everybody I met was full of it. They were going to run an oversea empire, and make no end of coin by trade (Conrad 7).
The statement flat out shows Marlow’s dislike for Belgian imperialism. First he describes the city as a sepulcher, which is white on the outside but full of rotting bones (Morris). This means that the city appears to be of greatness, but instead is full of evil through the way it has achieved its greatness. The next point Marlow makes, is that this city, which he has contempt for, is centered around its trading company. This is shown when Marlow describes it as the biggest thing in town. Marlow then tells of how none of the profits the country sees are from trading, but instead are from control. Marlow’s description of the setting, Belgium, shows his dislike for imperialism. His view has changed since he left London, and therefore the setting is used to heighten the theme of “Heart of Darkness.” Marlow’s view continues to change as he continues his travels.