The Darkness of Imperialism in In Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad

Heart of Darkness written by Joseph Conrad is dramatic tale of an arduous trek into the darkest part of Africa at the turn of the twentieth century. The story follows the protagonist Marlow, an English marine merchant, as he travels through the African jungle up the Congo river in search for a mysterious man named Kurtz. Through Marlow's narration, Conrad provides a searing indictment of European colonial exploitation inflicted upon African natives. Through his use of irony, characters, and symbolism in the novel, Conrad aims to unveil the underlying horrors of colonialism. By shedding light on the brutality of colonialism in Heart of Darkness, Conrad shows that European values have been irrevocably eclipsed by darkness.

One interpretation of Marlow's relationship to colonialism is that he does not support it. Conrad writes, "They were not enemies, they were not criminals, they were nothing earthly now,-nothing but black shadows of disease and starvation, lying confusedly in the greenish gloom" (p. 27-28). Marlow says this

The above epitomizes what Marlow thinks about what colonialism really brought to Africa.  Some Europeans may have genuinely believed in the idea of colonialism as being noble, but this "belief in the idea" cannot save the horrible actions of colonialism or make them acceptable.  Indeed this false belief in an idea, rather then the practicalities of colonialism only aids to brutality of such actions.

In his exile, Marlow experiences alienation, set apart from even his compatriots due to differences in motivation. Marlow is an explorer, journeying through the Congo for the journey’s sake, even noted by the frame narrator as “a seaman, but…a wanderer, too” (Conrad 3). Marlow visits the Congo for enlightenment and adventure, but the other colonists he encounters are present only to profit in the ivory trade. As Marlow frequently says, they are “pilgrims” (Conrad 31), motivated not by faith but by greed as they journey through the Congo in search of ivory. Such a description is incredibly accurate, as it is as though ivory is sacred to these colonists. Describing the Central Station, for example, Marlow remarks, “The word ‘ivory’ rang in the air, was whispered, was sighed. You would think they were praying to it” (Conrad 20). Frequent mentions of the colonists as pilgrims, in reference to their quest for ivory, serve as a means of distancing Marlow from these men. Marlow’s alienation, thus, is caused in large part by a conscious decision on his behalf. Recognizing the corrupt motivations, and disagreeing with their corresponding methods, behind the colonists, Marlow hopes to separate

Marlow’s evolution renders ‘Heart of Darkness’ a remarkable work of literature, but it is not simply the budding of the narrator’s mind that makes the novel sensational. Marlow’s perception of the voyage is what truly renders the work exceptional. European expansion, as written by European writers, was generally cast in a positive light. When Conrad depicts the desolation of the journey and reveals the sanities and lives robbed through the conquest, he clearly does not conform to the writers of his time. This exposure of European expansion in such a sinister a fashion was innovative for writers of the late 17th century. This revolutionary perception is what truly allows ‘Heart of Darkness’ to be considered a novel rich in moral and detail.

Joseph Conrad 's Heart of Darkness is both a dramatic tale of an arduous trek into the Belgian Congo at the turn of the twentieth century and a symbolic journey into the deepest recesses of human nature. On a literal level, through Marlow 's narration, Conrad provides a searing indictment of European colonial exploitation inflicted upon African natives. By employing several allegoric symbols this account depicts the futility of the European presence in Africa.

Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, closely examines the direct effects of British Imperialism on the natives of Africa. The novel sheds light onto what was common in exploration and colonization at the time. The civilizations that were directly affected were seen as inferior. Europeans and other powerful countries exploited the natives solely for their resources and to expand territory. They justified this by bringing “savage” people religion, culture, and new way of life.

   Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" is, as Edward Said states a story about European "acts of imperial mastery" (1503)-its methods, and the effects it has on human nature. Furthermore I hold the presumption that Conrad incorporates much of his own experience in the Congo and his opinions about imperialism. Another recent critic also suggests: "he seems to approve of Marlow," the narrator (Achebe 1492). These revelations of the author are conveyed to the reader through Marlow's observations, descriptions, reactions, and statements.

A key element in the book was to show the true evil of the European's vision for conquest. Marlow narrates about the evil cost of European imperialism many times, such as when he compares the British to the Romans, stating they “use Brute force”. However, Marlow (and perhaps Conrad) felt that European imperialism could have been excusable if there was a greater good to come out of the terrible treatment of “savages”. Marlow also disapproves, but does nothing, when a black boy is beaten early on in the story. The importance of Marlow's deeper thoughts, and his actions, are hard to describe. On one hand, Marlow is disgusted by the treatment of the slaves, but on the other takes no real action to change what is happening. The same could have been said about many decent people from the 19th century, and now, which is that their hearts are in the right places but are not willing to step up and try to change things

    In the opening of his novel, Heart of Darkness, Conrad, through Marlow, establishes his thoughts on colonialism. He says that conquerors only use brute force, "nothing to boast of" because it arises, by accident, from another's weakness. Marlow compares his subsequent tale of colonialism with that of the Roman colonization of Northern Europe and the fascination associated with such an endeavor. However, Marlow challenges this viewpoint by painting a heinous picture of the horrors of colonialist ventures as we delve deeper into the recesses of the novel. Here we find that Marlow sees colonization as "robbery with violence, aggravated murder on a great scale, and men going at

In Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, the imperialism of Africa is described. Conrad tells the story of the cruel treatment of the natives and of the imperialism of the Congo region through the perspective of the main character, Marlow. Throughout the novel, Marlow describes how the Europeans continuously bestow poor treatment to the native people by enslaving them in their own territory. Analyzing the story with the New Criticism lens, it is evident that Conrad incorporates numerous literary devices in Heart of Darkness, including similes, imagery, personification, and antitheses to describe and exemplify the main idea of cruel imperialism in Africa discussed throughout the novella.

  In Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad, challenges a dominant view by exposing the evil nature and the darkness associated with the colonialist ventures. It is expressed by Marlow as "robbery with violence, aggravated murder on a great scale, and men going at it blind - as it is very proper for those who tackle a darkness." The European colonialists are portrayed as blind lightbearers, people having a façade of progress and culture, yet are blind of their actions. They think they are brining a light to a darkness, yet they are the real darkness or evil. Conrad's critique of European colonialism is most apparent through the oppositions of light and darkness, with the

Imperialism and its oppressive processes have affected societies as well as individual lives for centuries. In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, oppression through imperialism demonstrates how a certain civilization, the Congolese, is affected negatively by imperialism. By focusing on Africa, it allows for a graphic recount of the many years spent reigned by foreign oppressors and tyrannies. In Heart of Darkness, the Congo is oppressed by the imperialists economically and geographically. As well, the oppressed people are taken advantage of spiritually. Conrad describes how the ruling tyrant is affected by the process of conquering a local people and this draws a parallel to the ruling empire. Conrad, through his novel, attempts to

Joseph Conrad’s short novel, Heart of Darkness, is a story of imperialism in the Congo that depicts the mistreatment of the african natives by european imperialists. Conrad’s tale is often seen as controversial for its racist use of slang and image of Africa and its people as a whole. However, Conrad wrote the book as a means of viewing the horrid actions of imperialism, through the eyes of a european.

As Kurtz’s title grows, he is able to work his way into the natives’ minds. He becomes their leader, even though he is an outsider. Little does Marlow know, Kurtz’s corruptness and his imperialistic and colonialist efforts to rule the African land would become his demise. In the end, Marlow understands that Kurtz is not all he is made out to be, and finds that his practices are harsher than necessary as he reads in Kurtz’s book his plans to “Exterminate all the brutes!” (50). Kurtz is referring to the natives he befriends and uses to his advantage. While Marlow and Kurtz move throughout the Congo as foreigners of a “First World” country, the Natives of the Congo are forces reconcile with Kurtz’s colonization and rule of their land and over their people. What Conrad presents in Heart of Darkness are the dangers of naiveté regarding “First World” practices of imperialism and colonialism, and then becoming aware, as Marlow gradually does, of their implications.