Joseph Conrad's Heart Of Darkness

The transition to Imperialism era was a tough time for everyone involved. It was considered a time where expansion took place. Empires focused their attention on conquest and gaining resources. A profitable balance of trade, it was believed, would provide the wealth necessary to maintain and expand the empire. (Cody). Novelists wrote about the experiences people went through during the Imperialism era. One particular novelist, Joseph Conrad, was declared negative and racist. Others considered Conrad to be a daring because of his depiction of realism. How was Conrad viewed in the Imperialistic era?

The Heart of Darkness took place in the Congo during the Imperialism Era. This era led up to the rise of the Victorian Era. Both eras were ideal for expansion and growth. Through Conrad’s experience of travelling in this era he wanted to share with the reader. It motivated his story to be written but it was on witnessing the treatment of cruelty of natives on his journey. Imperialism, from the perspective of modern progressivism has been denigrated as inhumane, cruel and self-aggrandizing. (Rayment).

Conrad put himself through an adventure and depicted what he’s been through. Those who read the story will think Conrad spoke that way because of the person he was. When reading the story, Conrad explained in grave detail about his travels. He experienced a hell that most people haven’t had the misfortune to experience. Just because a novelist describes in detail the horrors of an adventures doesn’t necessarily mean they are inhuman themselves. This type of treatment was done in many parts of the world.

The adventure through Congo scarred Conrad. The way the Africans were treated was beyond human. It didn’t make him to become a terrible pe...

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... women as the homemaker. Conrad fit in when he showed his outlook toward women in that era. In modern society, women are more opinionated, maintain jobs and have power in many different areas of their lives. Readers’ today may see Conrad as a harsh person in this aspect but it was considered normal in the Imperialistic Era.

Conrad’s criticism toward people in the Imperialism Era during his trip down Congo was just his characters’ personality. Conrad may have used Marlow to portray his actual feelings in the adventure. His criticism showed the readers’ what kind of life he’s lived while travelling. Does this actually prove that Conrad was a bad or terrible person? He doesn’t portray himself as a terrible person but he does speak his opinions openly. His book exhibit he has observed numerous dealings but doesn’t necessarily point out Conrad is a brutal person.