In "Heart of Darkness," Joseph Conrad explores the themes of understanding and memory through a reflective narrative. The quote suggests an existential struggle where the characters grapple with their inability to comprehend their experiences due to being distanced from the past. This distance renders them oblivious, as they travel through a metaphorical night, representing both darkness and the unknown origins of their journey.

The reference to "first ages" highlights the primordial history that shapes their reality but remains elusive. This illustrates the idea that profound truths and memories can be lost over time, leaving individuals to navigate their existence with little sense of grounding or connection to their history. The journey becomes a search for meaning in a world where the past is fragmented and forgotten.