Heart of Darkness is the thrilling tale of Marlow a seaman and wanderer recounting his physical and psyhological journey in search of the infamous ivory trader Kurtz. Traveling upriver into the heart of the African continent he gradually becomes absessed by this enigmatic wraith-like figure. Marlow's discovery of how Kurtz has gained his position of power over the local people involves him in a radical questioning not only of his own nature and values but of those that underpin Western civilization itself.