Heart of Darkness

The era of imperialism was a time of expansion for Europe. European colonization took place all around the world. As many cons there were to colonization such as trade and expansion of territory, what we believe today is morally wrong was not even brought into consideration. The Heart of Darkness, written by Joseph Conrad, illustrates the evils of European colonization, mostly concerning slavery and their torture.

Heart of Darkness is the story of a 32 year old man, Charlie Marlow, and his voyage up the Congo River. He pilots a steamboat sent to relieve Kurtz, an ivory trader for the company. Kurtz is described as a universal genius and began his work in the Congo as part of a virtuous mission, and sets himself up to be a god to the natives. When Marlow arrives, he is shocked to see how the Europeans have treated the natives.

What makes Heart of Darkness more than an interesting travelogue and shocking account of horrors is the way it details in subtle ways Marlow’s gradual understanding of what is happening in this region of the world. Like many Europeans, Marlow longed for adventure. But once he arrived in the Congo and saw the terrible work taking place, he could no longer hide under the cover of his

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While using his binoculars Marlow makes an astonishing observation. He shouted to Marlow, “I am a simple man. King Leopold II of Belgium possessed an insatiable greed for money, land, and power. ”(Conrad 109) These natives were not only tortured physically but also mentally. Leopold’s agents used a chaotic, unforgiving, and hateful force. ”(Conrad 107) Marlow had no opinion on the point of the heads on the poles, but he knew there was nothing profitable in the heads being there. In the end of Heart of Darkness, Marlow looks out onto the sea and says, “This leads me into the heart of an immense darkness. He reiterates his observation by saying, “Then I went carefully from post to post with my glass, and I saw my mistake. Leopold’s agents forced the Congolese into slave labor by means of torture and intimidation.

Leopold’s Congo and the people, both white and black, found their way into Heart of Darkness. ” (Conrad 101) This reflects the idea that Kurtz has achieved a God-like status and has moved beyond the judgment of his fellow man. The Harlequin speaks with enthusiasm when speaking of Kurtz when he says, “He made me see things. ”(Conrad 98) He repeated this line several times as though Marlow seems to think, “he is trying to make up for lots of silence,” because of his nervousness.

Approximate Word count = 1211
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

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