Explore the narrative techniques used in the opening of "Heart of Darkness".

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  1. Explore the narrative techniques used in the opening of Heart of Darkness

Heart of Darkness opens with a sense of opportunity and adventure, which instantly  created in  the first paragraph by imagery of the Nellie, waiting for the turn of the tide; The idea of  a river and the sea creates a sense of journey. However whilst there is an atmosphere of excitement, there is also sense of underlying tension. One way in which these conflicting impressions are created, is by contrasting the idea of opportunity through the river to London which is described as oppressive,.

For example in the second paragraph, Conrad describes that the sea reach of the Thames stretched like an interminable waterway” whilst the “air was dark above Gravesend, and condensed into a mournful gloom, brooding motionless. Here the idea of an interminable waterway seems to suggest freedom, and journey  which is juxtaposed by the oppressive atmosphere created by the words “gloom and brooding”.

The oppressive atmosphere of London and the freedom of the river is reinforced through reiteration of  gloom and darkness which contrasted against imagery of light. For example, the river is described as “shining pacifically, the sky without a speck was benign immensity of unstained light.” Imagery of unstained light, on water is one of beauty and  also gives a sense of  purity, and adventure; On the other hand  the gloom brooding motionless seems creates a sense of foreboding

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Conrad uses repetition of the word “gloom” and “brooding” throughout to reinforce this ominous atmosphere.  Further in the opening  Conrad personifies the  gloom and describes how it was “brooding over the upper reaches, became sombre every minute, as if angered by the approach of the sun.” That London is untouchable by the sun makes London seem unnatural and consequently reinforces a sense of unease especially when contrasted again.

The idea of  the natural and the unnatural is used throughout to emphasise a sense of unease about; London is described  as  “a monstrous town marked ominously on the sky/ a lurid ...

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