Exploring Cognitive Metaphors: A Comparative Analysis of Heart of Darkness and The Journey to the East

Abstract

The study employs the Cognitive Metaphor Theory developed by Lakoff and Johnson to analyze the metaphorical and symbolic significance of journeys, key elements, and characters in Conrad's Heart of Darkness and Hesse's The Journey to the East. Through a qualitative, comparative methodology, the research examines metaphors such as "journeys," "groups," "search for truth," "centers," and "disintegration" to uncover their cognitive and narrative roles. The objective is to explore how these metaphors shape the novels' thematic representation of existential struggles, self-discovery, and spiritual quests. The findings reveal that both texts utilize metaphorical frameworks to depict personal and collective transformations, documenting how characters navigate despair, disillusionment, and ultimate self-awareness. By analyzing these metaphors, the study provides insight into how abstract concepts are made accessible through language, enriching the understanding of their function in shaping literary meaning and the reader's cognitive engagement with the texts.