ADJECTIVAL LEVEL-SENTIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF JOSEPH CONRAD’S HEART OF DARKNESS: IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

There have been several views regarding the intension of Joseph Conrad in the write up of the novella, Heart of Darkness. While some view the novella as full of adjectival ejaculations others perceive it as full of an adjective-ridden writing style and also full of adjectival insistence. The purpose of this study was to use adjectival-level-sentimental analysis in order to determine thelevel of intensity of Conrad’s emotional state in the write up of the novella and the underlyingimplications of such emotional state. The study used conceptual content analysis and with the help of the Computer Software, AntConc 3.5.8, such emotional adjectives were extracted andclassified under the taxonomy of Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions. The study revealed that Conradused most of the high level of intensive emotional adjectives, an indication that he was so infuriated to the highest level that there was no longer any control of his emotions. The study showed that Conrad used such intensive emotional approach to condemn the ideological intent and attitudinal behaviour of the white while at the same time to condemn the physical and attitudinal behaviour of the black. The study finally revealed admiration for the superordinate intelligence of the white represented by Mr. Kurtz, the central figure in the novel. Thus, the dichotomous depiction of both the white and the black by juxtaposing them with context-selectiveadjectives is a clear indication of Joseph Conrad’s inherent racial discrimination.