In paragraph 58, Marlow describes a painting Kurtz made of "a woman, draped and blindfolded, carrying a lighted torch." The message that Kurtz is trying to send is both a symbolic and ironic point. Kurtz is ironically trying to show a woman who is guided by blind justice with a torch of light. However, if she's blindfolded- why would she need the torch anyways? It's a powerful paradox and it shows the amount of ignorance in the Heart of Darkness. It is "supposed" to represent wisdom, knowledge, and good. However it actually represents ignorance, savagery, and misunderstandings. Now, at this point in the story i think Marlow would agree with this message because he's opposed to London's desire to "civilize" Africa. And this symbol is perfect for the message of London's mission. Through London's ignorance and their own savagery they have the blind arrogance of thinking their ways are any better than Africa's and that they must destroy another's culture because it is different.
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