Civilized societies in heart of darkness
The idea of a civilized society is merely a subjective perception taken by any given individual. In Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, the molding of this perception is portrayed through the central character, Charlie Marlow. Marlow is a European who is thrown out of the refinement of Europe and into "a place of darkness"(5). The contrast between these two cultures is evident in the beginning of the novel; however, Marlow's journey creates a bridge between the two affecting his views on society. The former standards of what qualifies a culture as civilized no longer stand in Marlow's mind. The ability to believe in a specific definition of civilized is lost because Marlow realizes men should be judged as individuals. He says his experiences "seemed somehow to throw a kind of light on everything about me-and into my thoughts"(5). Throughout the progression of Marlow's journey his views concerning civilized societies are altered based on his interaction with both cultures. As a white European male, Marlow's beliefs in the beginning of the novel reflect the stereotypes of the age. His views, while not as radical as some, are that his race is superior to the Africans. This notion of white supremacy is reflected
A set standard cannot be created because the circumstances surrounding each society are so different. His derogatory comments are focused more on Europeans and he begins realizing the futility of their presence. in Marlow's description of the Africans as "creatures" and using imagery that is suggestive of animal behavior in reference to them. Directly following his descriptions of the Africans Marlow offers a depiction of a white man in accordance with his premature ideals. " These feelings can be construed as brotherhood; a relationship that is felt deep down in Marlow during a moment of heightened emotion. At this point in the novel a civilized society in Marlow's eyes is based on what his society has told him. He uses his views of what makes a man decent and uses that to judge both cultures. The depiction of the manager parallels the descriptions of the Africans earlier in the novel with the same inhuman imagery. He refers to them as "phantoms" with "vacant" eyes that are merely "shadows of disease and starvation"(14). Marlow is now basing his judgments on his interaction with members of each society instead of making presumptions founded in archaic stereotypes. His respect is given to those who live life with a purpose, regardless of race. Marlow's contempt of the manager reveals his ability to see beyond race and judge men on the same level. Marlow has significant contact with both the European and African cultures throughout his journey, and he has come to be able to look at them with an untainted opinion. Marlow begins comparing Africans and Europeans nearly on the same level. The idea of civilization is relative and cannot be associated with one culture and not another.
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