The heart of darkness

Heart of Darkness tells the story of Charlie Marlowe, who takes a steamboat on a voyage into the heart of Africa. His mission is to relieve an ivory agent named Kurtz, who has been taken ill at a remote trading station. Marlowe's eyes are opened wide as he witnesses acts of cruelty on his journey and when he meets Kurtz, he is forced to examine his own values and views of humanity. In addition to Heart of Darkness, this volume also includes Tales of Unrest, a series of five short stories in which Conrad explores the nature of the soul and man's psychological malaise.