An Ecological Analysis: the Sense of Loss from Heart of Darkness

Weilin LI

Abstract


Conrad is universally renowned for his cynical observations and ecological philosophy as well as his exceptional writing skills. Most of his works, especially Heart of Darkness, include intensive descriptions of the human-nature relationship which has been distorted by the ceaseless expansion of industrialization and imperialism, and thus fall into the category of ecoliterature. The ecological point of view refreshes the studies on Conrad’s writings, and enables people to re-recognize the value of his stories. This paper analyzes Heart of Darkness from this new ecological scope by exploring the implied human-nature dichotomy and the resultant impact on both sides. By discussing the mutual loss, the paper attempts to shed light on the contemporary environmental problems, and to present a comprehensive assessment of Conrad’s works.
Key words: Joseph Conrad; Heart of Darkness; Ecocriticism; Human/Nature Dichotomy

Keywords


Joseph Conrad; Heart of Darkness; Ecocriticism; Human/Nature Dichotomy

References


Conrad, J. (1994). Heart of darkness. New York: Penguin Books.

Glotfelty, C., & Fromm, H. (Eds). (1996). The ecocriticism reader: Landmarks in Literary Ecology. Athens and London: University of Georgia.

Meeker, Joseph W. (1974). The comedy of survival: Studies in literary ecology. New York: Scribner’s.

Rueckert, W. (1978). Literature and Ecology: An Experiment in Ecocriticsm. Iowa Review, 9(1), 71-86.

Watts, C. (2005). A Preface to Conrad. Beijing: Peking University Press.

LI, X.M.. (2006). Eco-criticism of the United States(Ph.D’s thesis). Avalaible from Shandong University.

WANG..X.R..(2009). The modern and contemporary chinese literature under eco-criticism. Beijing: China Social Scienc Press.

WEI,Q.M..(2004). Towards a green canon:an ecological study of“new period”literature (Ph.D’s thesis). Avalaible from Beijing Language and Cultural University.




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/n

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