My research paper is titled Analyzing Heart of Darkness through a Feminist Lens. Through this article I will investigate and examine Heart of Darkness through feminist criticism and literary theory. I aspire to thoroughly analyze the entire narrative, in order to highlight and identify various aspects and examples related to feminist theory. I want to investigate and highlight specific events, in the novel, where the characteristics of feminist criticism can be found or applied. In particular I want to examine the tree-women characters introduced in the text; “The Intended” “The Mistress” and Marlow's aunt. I also want to demonstrate that Heart of Darkness is a text that is openly in conflict with the foundations of feminism. To start this article, I want to explain feminist criticism a little. This category of criticism examines the means by which texts have been shaped in accordance with gender issues. It focuses on social and financial disparities in a “male-controlled” culture that continues to prevent women from realizing their true potential. There are several perceptions and theories universally shared by feminist critics. One of these beliefs is that our society is undeniably governed by men. Another belief is that the concept of “gender” is primarily, if not entirely, a social standard that has reduced the endless male prejudices that overwhelm our world. This male-dominated philosophy is overly abundant in most writings considered exceptional literature. Furthermore, many feminists consider women, in literature, portrayed as destructive or docile objects, while most males are portrayed as courageous and resilient leaders. According to Clark, VeVe A., Ruth-Ellen B. Joeres and Madelon Spr. ..... middle of paper ...... Marlow doesn't believe she is worthy of the truth, so he lies to her. "I couldn't tell him. It would have been too dark" (124). Further examples that can be pulled out and looked at through the feminist lens include Marlow continually referring to the boat as a “she.” While this was the correct way to talk about a boat, it still shows a male predominance regarding a feminized ship. Marlow and the other men are constantly in control of the boat, implying that, like a ship, women live under the control of men. They are useless without men to lead them: his banner sagged like a rag; the muzzles of the long six-inch guns protruded from all over the low hull; the greasy, slimy waves lazily lifted her up and down, making her thin shafts sway. In the empty immensity of earth, sky and water, there it was, incomprehensible, firing at a continent (49).