ocentric attitudes that other races were at a lesser stage of physical and mental evolution. Most of the white men encountered by Marlow on his journey represent the European values of their time. The accountant Marlow meets at the Outer station use social Darwinism to justify his abuse of the natives. After hearing about the 'great demoralisation of the land' Marlow is astonished to see on arrival in Africa a man in 'such an unexpected elegance of getup'. He recounts that he 'shook hands with this miracle'; and admires the man's 'backbone' at keeping up his appearances. The word 'appearance' however, is essential here, as once Marlow asks how this feat was achieved; the man reveals he's been teaching a native woman the work. "She has a distaste for it" he says. Marlow notes that this has given the man a sense of achievement, that'd he'd 'verily accomplished something'. In an age when blacks were thought to be at a lesser stage of evolution, this man was seen to be helping 'savage' to become civilised, and thus was 'progressing' her in culture and mind. Her point of view is never taken into account. The women's 'progression' has resulted in her domination, and, a product of worth for the white man, (clean clothes). Yet, Social Darwinism justifies the accountant's actions.
             Through Marlow's contemplative monologue, the reader learns more about the corruption in Africa. The character of the Central Station Manager indicates how imperialism can be used to gain power in Africa and social Darwinist ideology can be used to justify mistreatment of the Africans. Marlow describes him as 'commonplace in complexion, in feature, in manner and in voice'. He also calls him, 'a common trader...nothing more'. The Manager is highly deceptive. His appearance masks that
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