The study of Heart of Darkness under the lens of Conceptual Metaphor and Metonymy

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to show the connection between literature and linguistics. The study of Conceptual metaphor and metonymy can be applied to Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. Moreover, Conrad depicted the imperialistic attitude of the Europeans towards the Africans. This thesis wants to explore the in-depth meaning of Heart of Darkness in the light of linguistics. In addition, my thesis includes close study of the novella, in terms of metaphors and metonymy. Moreover, George Lakoff and Mark Johnson’s theory on ICM, a structured model which holds both metaphors and metonymy will be applied to study Heart of Darkness. In Riemer's Introducing Semantics he mentioned different applications of conceptual metaphors and metonymy which will help to analyze the meaning of the literature novel. In conclusion, the aim of this thesis is to relate metaphors and metonymy with the literary aspect of Heart of Darkness.