Going up that river was like travelling back to the earliest beginnings of the world, when vegetation rioted on the earth and the big trees were kings.
In Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness," the journey up the river symbolizes a regression to a primitive state of existence, reminiscent of the Earth's untamed past. The imagery of lush vegetation and majestic trees evokes a sense of primordial life, emphasizing the power and dominance of nature in this pre-human world.
This description serves to contrast the complexities of civilization with the raw beauty and chaos of natural environments. The river becomes a conduit to explore deeper existential themes, highlighting the tension between civilization and the innate instincts that lie within humanity.