Belaboring Colonialism
In the novel Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, the reader is given a look at Belgium's colonialism, and how grimly corrupt that policy is. Colonialism is a "policy in which a nation maintains or extends its control over foreign dependencies." (The American Heritage Dictionary, 'colonialism') Usually a country like Britain would take over a primitive country such as Africa civilize it and make some sort of trade or stimulate mutual economic growth. However, in Heart of Darkness, colonialism detracts from the civility of Africa and adds a brutal element. Conrad uses this inhumane description of colonization to support other themes in the novel. This technique enhances the most prevalent themes in the novel. The Plot of Heart of Darkness revolves around the trade or removal of ivory from Africa. It becomes more than a trade though; the search for ivory becomes a greedy obsession to all involved. The following quote shows the tainted greed and obsession ivory has brought. "The word 'ivory' rang in the air, was whispered, was sighed. You would think they were praying to it. A taint of imbecile rapacity
These constant references to the brutality of colonialism simply are the crux of his topic of darkness. It is also more likely that Conrad cared more for the fortification of his most dominant theme than he did for the well being of the Africans enslaved in the Belgian colonies. He also tosses around the word nigger, which blatantly separates the races as people. The theme of darkness would simply not survive had he described the colonialism as just and fair. It is important that Conrad overstress this treatment to amplify his theme of darkness. blew through it all, like a whiff from some corpse. Conrad nearly belabors the idea and tone of darkness in this novel. One could argue that the point to of such portrayal is to awaken the world to the inhumanities of colonialism, and make an effort to set in motion the wheels of change. Conrad, through Marlow, shows a blatant racism toward them, proving his apathy toward the well being of Africans in the colonial system. "(HoD, 44)The way the British wished to rape Africa of its ivory seems to show how disgraceful their system of colonialism was in Conrad's eyes. "A nigger was being beaten nearby. At a point in the novel we see Conrad's blatant negative description of colonialism. Europe was perfectly content with the systems they employed in Africa and other nations. Frequently throughout the novel Conrad gives descriptions of the horrible treatment of the Africans.
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