Heart Of Darkness Imperialism

In the eighteen hundreds and before, Imperialism played an enormous role in the mindset of many Europeans. As a result, this caused much controversy many who agreed and disagreed. In Joseph Conrad’s, “Heart of Darkness” there is evidence of Imperialistic effect on many of the characters. However, Joseph Conrad does not necessarily believe in this Ideology. Through the actions and interpretations of Marlow, the reader gets a sense that the writer does not support the Imperialistic Ideology. Throughout the whole book, Marlow embodies the opinions of Conrad; As a result, there is distinct segments of the book in which critiques of Imperialism can be found. One may be lead to say that Joseph Conrad’s, “Heart of Darkness”, although embodying

Right from the beginning of the book, Marlow shows through his thoughts his opinion on the operations in the Congo and the brutality of the whole situation. There is specific scene in which he is getting all his plans sorted out when he says, “ They were conquerors, and for that you want only brute force—nothing to boast of, when you have it, since your strength is just an accident arising from the weakness of others. They grabbed what they could get for the sake of what was to be got. It was just robbery with violence, aggravated murder on a great scale…”(Page 73). This thought from Marlow gives the reader a sense that he is not impressed with the way that the English are handling themselves overseas. As well, the segment of this quote, “Nothing to boast of” is very important to pay attention to as it shows the kind of attitude that Marlow has towards the companies methods. By ultimately saying that the actions of these men

In an essay by David Ray Papke, which discuses how “Heart of Darkness” is a “Literary critique of Imperialism” he goes to suggest, “ Time and again Marlow sees Europeans using laws which they have created to control and oppress the African natives. The ugly chain-gang Marlow encounters at the first station, for example, hardly seems to consist of criminals or enemies. However, "the outraged law" had fallen on the natives” (Papke) . This point goes to show the critique that is embedded within the book itself. As Marlow says, “the outraged law” which suggest the horrific scene that is unfolding all around him. In relationship to this, If the book was to ultimately condone Imperialism the way that Marlow would react to the situation around him as well as how he would comment about the situation would be drastically different. Instead of frowning on many of the situations and being “horrified” he would be more accepting of the fact that this is the way that it had to happen in order to achieve there goals. Instead, as Papke comments, Marlow sees these laws created and doesn’t necessarily see any value in it. To further back up this idea of a rejection to Imperialism, author Charley Wesley quotes in his essay, “ Peter Nazareth writes that with Heart of Darkness, Conrad “shattered] the benign worldview of colonialism projected at home”. To simply say that “Heart