Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness first published in 1902, during the height of European Imperialism, analyzes the hypocrisy of imperialism and the resulting insanity is ensued by its presence. Conrad uses these dominant themes to construct an in-depth account of one mans journey into the Belgian Congo. The author uses an assortment of literary devices to portray a plausible character, as well as a detailed setting, that would coincide with the book's theme.

Within any story there are certain defining passages that help summarize the book and its premise is clarified succinctly in a few lines. In Heart of Darkness that defining moment is found on page twenty, with Marlow arriving in the Central Station, witnessing the foal point, the entire purpose of the Belgian contingents presence in the Congo. "The word 'ivory' rang in the air..." the collection of ivory, and its subsequent return to Europe for sale...