The Night Journey in Heart of Darkness Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, has been illustrated as a night journey or a story of initiation, in which man proceeds to experience preceding from innocence and deeply appreciates goodness as he becomes acquainted with the nature of evil. The conception of darkness, which is symbolic of evil, is presented metaphorically, literally, and notably psychologically. The novel may be described as an expedition into the mind, which the reader experiences through Marlow, the protagonist. As a 'night journey', the novella informs the reader that all men are capable of abhorrence, of abomination. Conrad effectively illustrates one man's acquaintance