Heart Of Darkness Imperialism Essay

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is a novella that explores the inhuman treatment of African people as they were brutally enslaved by British rulers under the umbrella of colonisation. Through this novella, contemporary audience are able to recognise the immoral actions which practise corruption, discrimination and ultimately, imperialism. Joseph Conrad, has successfully illustrated to the audience the issues of colonisation and civilisation within the Victorian era. Universal relevance is valid within this book as it educates the audience on how excessive power leads to corruption.

Through imperialism it is evident that an individual with high power and authority holds the potential to abuse their power for self gain and greed. Within the

Racism is a current social issue which creates unequal opportunities, stereotypes and discrimination. Heart of Darkness is a pivotal example to the contemporary audience on how racism which was practised by the Europeans towards the Africans, greatly amends the assumptions of the African race. “He whacked the old nigger mercilessly, while a big crowd of people watched him, thunderstruck”. The visual imagery within this quote illustrates the torture, humiliation and discrimination that an African person felt as their punishment was an inhumane manner of embarrassment. In addition, it is clearly evident that the European held large power on the Africans which they greatly misused and corruptly practised. The ongoing criticism towards the Africans was identified through the hyperbole of “ignorant millions” and the visual depiction of “horrid ways” represents the negative mindset held by the Europeans. “Their head-man, a young, broad-chested black, severely draped in dark-blue fringed clothes, with fierce nostrils and has all done up artfully in oily ringlets” and “deep in the tangled gloom, naked breasts, arms, legs, glaring eyes – the bush was swarming with human limbs”. Within both these quotes, the depiction of synecdoche, precisely recognised the inhumane image of Africans whom are objectified to have “faces like grotesque”. Heart of darkness clearly illustrates the negative effects of racism which provides power to someone with authority to downgrade a race; decreasing their respect and dignity. The contemporary audience is provided with the consequences that arise as a result of