Essay on Imperialism- Conrads Heart of Darkness - 1162 Words

Imperialism and its oppressive processes have affected societies as well as individual lives for centuries. In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, oppression through imperialism demonstrates how a certain civilization, the Congolese, is affected negatively by imperialism. By focusing on Africa, it allows for a graphic recount of the many years spent reigned by foreign oppressors and tyrannies. In Heart of Darkness, the Congo is oppressed by the imperialists economically and geographically. As well, the oppressed people are taken advantage of spiritually. Conrad describes how the ruling tyrant is affected by the process of conquering a local people and this draws a parallel to the ruling empire. Conrad, through his novel, attempts to†¦show more content†¦The economic and geographic domination of an area for the benefit of another people directly affects those already inhabiting the region. The conquering of a place and its people does not just affect the land and its r esources; it also affects those inhabiting it. Marlow describes the Congolese’s spirituality being oppressed, â€Å"The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking is away from those who have a different complexion of slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much.† (Conrad, 69). Marlow discusses his aunt’s thoughts on the process, â€Å"She talked about weaning those ignorant millions from their horrid ways.† He watches the Europeans using their own laws to control and oppress the people of the Congo, for example, he sees an ugly chain-gang at the first station, which does not seem as though they are criminals. Nevertheless, the European law had decided for the natives, Marlow describes, â€Å"like shells from the man-of-war, like an insoluble mystery from the sea. (Conrad, 12). The Congolese appointed to work on his ship, he describes as, still belonging, â€Å"to the beginnings of time,† bu t â€Å"as long as there was a piece of paper written over in accordance with some farcical law or other made down the river, it didn’t enter anybody’s head to trouble how they would live. (Conrad, 33-34). Skulls of then men judged by the European law were set on stakes around Kurtz’sShow MoreRelated Theme of Colonialism and Imperialism in Conrads Heart of Darkness1008 Words   |  5 PagesThe Theme of Imperialism in Heart of Darkness       Of the themes in Conrads Heart of Darkness, imperialism and colonialism are probably the most important. While Heart of Darkness is actually set on the Thames River, the events Marlow describes are set on the Congo River. The Congo is the river that brought about the partition of Africa that occurred from 1880 to 1890 (McLynn 13). This event marked the beginning of the colonization of Africa. In 1884, European nations held a conference andRead MoreThoughts Of Imperialism In Joseph Conrads Heart Of Darkness911 Words   |  4 PagesHeart of Darkness, what does it really mean, what can it signify? For all it matters, it has no meaning, but is just a phrase. By applying the following schools of theory, psychoanalysis, over analyzing texts, cultural studies which portray how readers consume the text and postcolonial which analyzes the â€Å"losers† perspective it helps to depict the novella of Heart Darkness. By using the schools of theory, it will analyze a multitude of pers pective relating to the novella’s theme of imperialism disastrousRead MoreCorruption Of Imperialism In Joseph Conrads Heart Of Darkness1473 Words   |  6 Pagesbecome corrupt themselves. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad relates to both the idea that an individual can become corrupt in a corrupt environment, and that some individuals can uphold their integrity in a corrupt situation. Both of these reactions can be seen in the main characters of Heart of Darkness, Kurtz and Marlow, in Kurtz’ becoming corrupt due to imperialism in the Congo, while still upholding some integrity, and in Marlow’s continuing integrity in spite of imperialism, while still losing someRead More Colonialism and Imperialism in Conrads Heart of Darkness Essay1016 Words   |  5 PagesImperialism Exposed in Conrads Heart of Darkness      Ã‚   Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness is a novel about European imperialism and its far-reaching effects. Conrad relates his personal opinions through the protagonist, Marlow, who learns a great deal about imperialism while on a journey to the African Congo. Although Heart of Darkness seems to be an anti-imperialistic work, this is not entirely true. Conrad condemns the overly idealistic nature of imperialism, but does not attack BritainsRead MoreImperialism And Colonialism In Joseph Conrads Heart Of Darkness1302 Words   |  6 Pagesstructures such as imperialism and colonialism can affect the way in which an individual experiences the world. Those born into the so-called â€Å"First World† countries have been privileged in that they have not felt the burden of such societal structure, as compared to those born into those â€Å"Second World† countries. These individuals have dealt with the pressures of Westernized society in such a way that their entire way of lif e has been transformed. Those whose countries hold values of imperialism and colonialismRead MoreThe Importance Of Imperialism In Joseph Conrads Heart Of Darkness1174 Words   |  5 PagesOn the surface, Conrad’s work seems to simply stress, â€Å"Humanity is important; fidelity is the highest virtue† (Moser, 1966, pg 11) but is both more subtle and complex. Even in the title of the book, Heart of Darkness, has significance. Africa’s Victorian era nickname was the ‘dark continent’, which â€Å"referred to the fact that little was known in the West about the interior of the continent† (yourdictionary.com, 2017). Therefore, Congo is the interior or ‘heart’ of Africa. This title also alludes toRead MoreImperialism And Racism In Joseph Conrads Heart Of Darkness1405 Words   |  6 PagesThe Negative Impact of Imperialism and Racism In the novella ‘Heart Of Darkness’ Marlow is a sailor who is telling the story to four other sailors about his expedition to The Congo and everything that ensued after he went on the expedition. Imperialism and racism has a negative impact on Marlow and Kurtz in Joseph Conrad’s novella â€Å"Heart Of Darkness† which reveals the savagery of the practice of imperialism. One of the impacts that is shown is near the end when Kurtz comes down with jungle feverRead More Colonialism and Imperialism in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness2027 Words   |  9 Pages   Joseph Conrads novella, Heart of Darkness, describes a life-altering journey that the protagonist, Marlow, experiences in the African Congo.   The story explores the historical period of colonialism in Africa to exemplify Marlows struggles.   Marlow, like other Europeans of his time, is brought up to believe certain things about colonialism, but his views change as he experiences colonialism first hand. This essay will explore Marlows view of colonialism, which is shaped through his experiencesRead More The Horrors of Colonialism and Imperialism in Conrads Heart of Darkness1840 Words   |  8 Pages     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   From the onset of the novella Heart of Darkness, the narrator Marlow compares his subsequent tale of colonialism with that of the Roman colonization of Northern Europe and the fascination associated with such an endeavor. However, throughout his narration, Marlow challenges this viewpoint by painting a heinous picture of the horrors of colonialist ventures. In the opening of his tale, Conrad, through Marlow, establishes his thoughts on colonialism. He says that conquerors only useRead MoreExposing Colonialism and Imperialism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness1940 Words   |  8 PagesThe Evil of Colonialism Exposed in Heart of Darkness       Marlow was an average European man with average European beliefs. Like most Europeans of his time, Marlow believed in colonialism; that is, until he met Kurtz. Kurtz forces Marlow to rethink his current beliefs after Marlow learns the effects of colonialism deep in the African Congo. In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Marlow learns that he has lived his entire life believing in a sugar-coated evil.   Marlows understanding of Kurtzs