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Heart Of Darkness Imperialism Research Paper

745 Words3 Pages

The Heart of Darkness, written by Joseph Conrad reveals the ugly faces of imperialism of Europeans in nineteenth century and the darkness which is deeply rooted in humans’ hearts. This book narrates the story of a man who has travelled to Africa and experienced the cruel scenes. As Marlow became the captain of an ivory trade company by chance, he started his journey toward the center of Congo. While finding Kurtz, the top agent working in the central Africa who controlled the most number of ivory, Marlow started understanding the situation which was covered under severe darkness in Africa. This book is such a criticism of that bloody and evil era controlled by the dark European imperialism. During that time, European countries …show more content…

This book discusses the ugly faces of Europeans through their imperialism. Europeans conquered other countries forcefully by using their modern power on strength. “There was a touch of insanity in the proceeding, a sense of lugubrious drollery in the sight; and it was not dissipated by somebody on board assuring me earnestly there was a camp of natives---he called them enemies!---hidden out of sight somewhere.(Conrad, pg 16)” Whenever the whites showed up, there was always some groups of natives showed up and pointed the whites with weapons. This is absolutely not a way to greet Europeans came to their country. The Europeans robbed the peace and wealth from the Africans. Then most of the native Africans believed they are the “enemies”. Although Marlow was one of the men who has real moral values no matter he was a racist or not, as white, it is unavoidable to receive the unwelcomed manners from the natives. The Europeans might say they were just doing trades with those Africans. However, Conrad used …show more content…

The imperialism covered Africa in darkness to make Africans suffered mentally under the fears. Indeed, it was torturing the Africans and killing them as well. “They are dying slowly---it was very clear. They were not enemies, they were not criminals, they were nothing earthly now,---nothing but black shadows of disease and starvation, lying confusedly in the greenish gloom.(Conrad, pg 20)” The africans were caught as slaves to work for the whites. The blacks were treated unfairly and not even be thought as human. This quote shows a severe racism towards the blacks and the slaves would never gain rights. The blacks overworked forcely by the Europeans. They were not given enough food, cares and even no medical cares. Death was always the only way to free them. Conrad described this as “a picture of a massacre or a pestilence. (Conrad, pg 20)” The number of victims were huge, and it would never be too much to call the Europeans and their imperialism evil and

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