Heart of Darkkness
Heart of Darkness: An Anti-Imperialist Text In Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad presents many instances of racist commentary that portray a devaluation of the Congo inhabitants. Oftentimes Europeans are depicted as individuals that are superior to and more human than the Africans. The distinction between a purely racist novel and a novel where racism is used as a means of sending a message is whether or not the dehumanization occurs for a separate purpose. In the book, the character of Marlow acts as the storyteller and presents the racist statements; he may be a character Conrad presents for critical purposes, and may or may not be a reflection of his personal views. Regardless of whether Conrad was racist himself, Heart of Darkness ultimately reads as a criticism of European imperialism. In recounting all aspects of the values he criticizes, the author reveals what is wrong with imperialism. The racism in the novel is used in context of the darkness that is found in all humans - not simply evil, but a primitive element that remains from human beginnings. The Congo in Africa is home to dark native peoples that are portrayed with a natural, primal quality, a stark contrast to the civilizations in Europe. This is the setting for
Similarly, the supposed enlightenment of imperialism is in fact darkness. This can only be found through exposure to a populace that does not rely on illusion for survival. Traditionally, light and darkness represent civilization and the uncivilized world, respectively. He entered the jungle with the intention of civilizing the native peoples, but his last words, "The horror! The horror!" express his realization of the true nature of imperialism (86). The image that is portrayed is bright and illuminated by rays from the sun, but there is also an image of bars enclosing the accountant. It had become a place of darkness" (22). This symbolizes how the sailors were exposed to the true darkness of their disposition. Despite their outward dark appearance, they inside they are vibrant. When Europeans are exposed to the bleakness of imperialism, their darkness is revealed to them, just as when the Africans were exposed to imperialism and became engulfed in the European gloom. The inherent, primitive honesty of the inhabitants of the Congo is distinguished from the disillusionment of European ideals. The accountant is the epitome of imperialism, yet inside his office he is described as "barred from neck to heels with narrow strips of sunlight" (33). Marlow tells his shipmates about his childhood dreams of visiting uncharted places on maps. The imposition of European progress brings the men closer to savagery. The irony of imperialism is introduced in the first scene of the novel, where the narrator states that London "seemed condensed into a mournful gloom, brooding motionless over the biggest, and the greatest, town on earth" (17).
Common topics in this essay:
Heart Darkness,
Kurtz Marlow,
Kurtz's Intended,
Congo Africa,
Oftentimes Europeans,
Exploring Expedition,
Joseph Conrad,
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chain gang,
Regardless Conrad,
true nature imperialism,
true nature,
native peoples,
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irony imperialism,
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racism novel,
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Acceptance Essays
