UNVEILING THE SILENT SHADOWS: SCHOPENHAUERIAN PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN IN CONRAD'S HEART OF DARKNESS
UNVEILING THE SILENT SHADOWS: SCHOPENHAUERIAN PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN IN CONRAD'S HEART OF DARKNESS

Summary/Abstract: Conrad’s Heart of Darkness is often regarded as a great text in Western Literature. One of its most intriguing aspects is its portrayal of women, or rather, the lack thereof. The novella has been examined from various critical perspectives such as Freudian, Marxist, postcolonial, and deconstructive, just to name a few. However, the treatment of women has received little scholarly attention. In this light, Conrad’s nuanced view of women, heavily influenced by Schopenhauer, deserves greater attention. In this male-centric novella, women are nameless, inferior, insignificant, and mostly silent, except for occasional cries. This paper explores Schopenhauer’s perspective on women - as primarily suited for childbirth and domestic duties, as well as Conrad's mistrust of women in the novella may reflect personal experiences and societal norms, exemplified in his portrayal of his wife and fictional female characters. This perspective is further reinforced by Schopenhauer's derogatory views on women, emphasizing their perceived intellectual deficiency. Examining the female characters reveals how Conrad confines them to limited roles, echoing patriarchal attitudes of his time. From Marlow's aunt, who blindly supports the colonial project due to her lack of knowledge on important issues, to Kurtz's Intended, who idealizes Kurtz despite his dark deeds, women are depicted as out of touch with reality. Ultimately, this paper offers a deep insight into Conrad's view of women in Heart of Darkness through a Schopenhauerian lens. Our analysis suggests that the female characters represent Conrad’s view of women and that he was influenced by Schopenhauer, who belittles women in much of his writing.

• Details
• Contents