Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness is not simply "the story of a journey down a river," but rather a penetrating psychological study of the human condition and the hidden nature of humanity transmitted in the form of narration. Conrad explores his perception of the human psyche through the concept of "moderation" and the ironic symbolism of images of light and darkness, given in the context of 19th century colonization and imperialism. The value of the text for 21st century readers lies in the perennial nature of its psychological theme as the novella peers into the “heart of darkness” that exists within us all. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The motif of “moderation” is present in “Heart of Darkness,” the meaning of which gradually becomes concrete as the tale deepens its exploration of the human condition. Conrad observes, in the guise of Marlow, that moderation (particularly in the forms of social and work expectations) influences and suppresses human behaviors and decisions. This notion is illustrated through the portrait of the Manager, a man who embodies the greed, hollowness and moral ambiguity of colonization, and yet who has managed not to get lost in the “darkness” he helped create. It turns out that he saved himself from his dark desires through his “desire to keep up appearances. That was his moderation. As long as the director appeared at least civilized and fulfilled his expected social duties (such as his reaction to Kurtz's death, in which he "considered it necessary to sigh, but neglected to be constantly grieving"), then he could measure some level of control over his mind and his subsequent actions. Marlow also considered work a suitable constraint, commenting on the ability of hungry cannibals to concentrate on driving the steamboat instead of satisfying their wild appetites. He was particularly impressed by their behavior as he “would have expected some restraint from a hyena prowling among the corpses of a battlefield.” The repeated emphasis on the theme of moderation in "Heart of Darkness" demonstrates the importance of self-control in remaining psychologically stable in an emotionally, ethically, and spiritually unstable environment, in this case the 19th-century colonized Congo. In addition to the significance of possessing moderation, the severity of the lack of moderation and the associated consequences of that absence are considerable. Kurtz personifies the “darkness” of the human condition and the devastating results of a compulsive, greedy, unbridled life. Initially described as an “emissary of piety, science and progress,” Kurtz's fall from grace deepened into his self-proclaimed status as a local deity and complete loss of “control.” His lust for ivory (the white man's currency) had "consumed his flesh and sealed his soul", giving him a grotesque "voracious appearance" that gave the impression that his entire being, not just his soul, was corrupt. “Kurtz had no control in gratifying his various lusts,” and so consequently fell into the illusion of having power over those lusts – “My Destined, my ivory, my position, my river… all belonged to him." It quickly becomes apparent, however, that what Kurtz felt belonged to him was not what mattered, but rather "what he belonged to, how many powers of darkness claimed him for their own." Even when "rescued" by Marlow, Kurtz makes a desperate effort to escape and return to the wilderness, preferring to remain in the "darkness", knowing that he will lose his soul, only to return to the restrictive light of civilization..”