What is the importance of ivory throughout the novel? How does it function as both a literal and figurative image?
As a literal image, ivory is everything to this novel. Without ivory, Marlow would not have a new job to the Congo. The company would not have a purpose. The cannibals would not have a purpose to work. Companies would not "fight" their way to get more ivory, more money, more fame. To a figurative image, ivory created a new goal for Marlow's time. More people demanded their ivory cut furniture, piano keys, and valuables for years to come. The people demanded a royalty status by showing their loved ones and guests that they had money to invest on ivory.
Ivory was a status symbol. It's kind of like having an indoor pool in today's world. It's just luxury, and everyone is super impressed by it.
So, people's greed created jobs for others. Greed created companies with a purpose, and a new demand (even though it's terrible on how it's obtained) from Africa. Ivory gives Britain a domino effect, where every person from the owner to elephant, has a purpose. If any of the people or things in between are involved, ivory could ultimately lose its purpose and value.
I had really similar ideas. Without ivory, there would literally be no book. Heart of Darkness completely depends on ivory to set the plot in motion. I also never thought of ivory as a goal for Marlow and the companies and I really like that idea. They had to keep focused on the image of their fortune to get through the horrors of working in Africa. Ivory is sort of a symbol for greed because greed worked in the exact way; there must be both greed and ivory for the novella to exist. Also, the swimming pool analogy is perfect. Good job.
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