Joseph Conrad, a pioneer of 20th-century British novels
A masterpiece that delves into the dark side of civilization and barbarism, human nature, and the hypocrisy of imperialism.
The original novel of Francis Ford Coppola's film "Apocalypse Now"

“The best we can hope for in life is some knowledge of ourselves.

But that knowledge comes too late, and in the end, it only brings about regrets that cannot be erased.”

Marlow, who had dreamed of exploring Africa since childhood, becomes the captain of a trading company steamship with the help of a relative and heads to Africa to meet a man named Kurtz.
Kurtz, who works at an African trading post, is rumored to be a man skilled at extracting large quantities of ivory from the natives.
On the way to the trading post to pick up Kurtz, they are attacked by natives. This is because Kurtz is blinded by ambition and does not want to return to Europe.
And when he met Kurtz in person, he was shocked to see the European intellectual become so cruel and rule over the jungle like a god.
Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness," considered a pioneer of 20th-century British fiction along with Henry James, is a problematic novel that explores the limits of human experience and the nightmarish truth of imperialism.
The protagonist Marlowe's exploration can be said to be an exploration that confronts the truth about civilization and barbarism, colonialism and racism that justify imperialism, and through Kurtz's reign over the natives, Conrad raises fundamental questions about human nature and Western civilization.

One evening, as I lay flat on the deck of the steamer, voices came nearer, and it turned out that the manager was taking a walk along the riverbank with his uncle. I lay down again with my arm as a pillow, and was almost asleep, when someone spoke to me, almost as if his mouth was close to my ear.
[I am a person who does not know how to harm others, even as much as a child, but I do not want others to tell me what to do.
Aren't I the manager? My orders were to send him there.
[I couldn't believe it] I saw two people standing on the riverbank at the front of the steamer right next to my bedside, so I didn't move.
I didn't feel like moving at all, I was so sleepy.
--- p.71

Oh, I can't say I was impressed by the change, I was just fascinated.
It was as if a veil was being torn open, revealing something new.
In that ivory face I saw a look of sullen arrogance, of ruthless power, of terrified fear, and of fierce and hopeless despair.
In that supreme moment of perfect knowledge, was he reliving in detail his life, a life marked by desire, temptation, and submission? He was whispering to some image, some vision.
He shouted twice in a voice so low it was barely a breath.
[Be scared! Be scared!]

--- pp.157-158