Joseph Conrad's Heart Of Darkness

Conrad conveys man’s realization of futility against the constant exposure to drastic and fierce elements of nature.
“Well, you may guess I watched the fog for the signs of lifting as a cat watches a mouse; but for anything else our eyes were of no more use to us than if we had been buried miles deep in a heap of cotton-wool It felt like it, too -- choking, warm, stifling” ().
The cotton infers the scenery to be dense with the white fog which Marlow travels in throughout the novel. The fog here represents the ostentation of imperialism, which obscures reality in the name of justice. Furthermore, the thick, white fog impedes Marlow’s self-realization, confusing him to into believing in imperialism's mission. When the white fog in mankind disappears, the true dark color, shows more vividly. The color contrast implies the difference between civilized, bright rivers in Europe and the dreary ones of uncivilized Africa.

“I didn't say to myself, 'Now I will never see him,' or 'Now I will never shake him by the hand,' but, 'Now I will never hear him.' The man presented himself as a voice” ().
In the midst of the incomprehensible silence and noises of Africa, the agents appear to be wandering phantoms that all follow ivory. Kurtz’s voice fuels Marlow’s quest for purpose. Using language provides civilization and order to all occurrences in life to Marlow. Thus, living on a ship voiceless and alone drives Marlow to seek out familiar, comforting, and civilized voices. Marlow seeks an instructor to ease his frenzy.
Conrad includes absurd and surreal elements in the story, highlighting that those belittled often pose the biggest threat.
“Sticks, little sticks, were flying about -- thick: they were whizzing before my nose, dropping below me, striking behind me against my pilot-house. All this time the river, the shore, the woods, were very quiet -- perfectly quiet”