"Heart of Darkness" is divided into three parts rather than chapters. Here's a brief summary of each part:
**Part 1:**
- The narrator, aboard a boat anchored on the River Thames, introduces the story and recounts Marlow's journey to Africa.
- Marlow, the protagonist, tells his story to a group of friends on board a ship anchored in the Thames Estuary.
- Marlow describes his desire for adventure and his fascination with maps and exploration.
- He gets hired by the Company to pilot a steamboat up the Congo River to retrieve Kurtz, a talented ivory trader who has gone rogue.
- Marlow sets off on his journey, encountering various hardships and obstacles along the way.
**Part 2:**
- Marlow reaches the Inner Station, where he encounters the Company's manager and other European agents.
- He hears rumors and glimpses of Kurtz's exploits and influence in the region.
- Marlow becomes increasingly intrigued by Kurtz's persona and the stories surrounding him.
- Marlow continues his journey up the river, witnessing the brutal treatment of the native Africans by the Company's agents.
- He becomes disillusioned with the European presence in Africa and begins to question the morality of their actions.
**Part 3:**
- Marlow finally reaches Kurtz's compound, where he finds the ivory trader gravely ill and on the verge of death.
- Kurtz's relationship with the native Africans and his descent into madness are revealed.
- Marlow confronts Kurtz about his actions and beliefs, leading to moments of introspection and moral reckoning.
- Kurtz dies, uttering the famous last words, "The horror! The horror!"
- Marlow returns to Europe, haunted by his experiences and the darkness he encountered in Africa.
Throughout the novella, Conrad explores themes of imperialism, colonialism, the darkness within the human soul, and the moral ambiguity of civilization. The journey up the Congo River serves as a metaphor for the journey into the depths of human nature and the consequences of unchecked power and ambition.
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