Humans, in the early days, were generally classified as Homo sapiens. No identification or taxonomy was given to humans; they're just known as humans or Homo sapiens. But as the world started to change and numerous questions arise, new discoveries and studies were developed. Humans became intelligent and began classifying the human race in many different forms and categories. Today, there various classifications existing in the world in which brought the concept of cultures and ethnicity. Many view cultures and ethnicity uniquely; there are many hypothetical theories and perspective about different culture and its people. Cultural anthropologist has often stated that to understand one’s culture, he or she will have to look at it through the idea of cultural relativism and disregard any criticism as there are no universal standard of morality existing in this world (Nanda 11). Therefore, it is unnecessary to alienate others who have different cultural custom and different features of the society. However, it is quite difficult to accept others especially if they are considered to be uncivilized and act out of the norms. Thus, domineering countries like European countries often initiate to civilize the uncivilized population hoping to create good alliances and territories. But in every act there is always a hidden merit. In novel Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad enlightens his readers about the condition of Congo by unravelling the atrocious act of Europeans as it tries to “colonize” the Belgian Congo and used particular diction to illustrate the natives are victims of exploitation.
As outrages reports were being conveyed to Europe about the conditions in the Congo after King Léopold II “had been granted proprietorship, [b] aptist ...
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...s are being force to do something against their will and treating in humanistic manner.
Works Cited
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Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. 3rd ed. Ed. Ross C. Murfin. Massachusetts: Bedford/ St. Martin’s, 2011. 17-94. Print.
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Cox, C. B. Conrad: Heart of Darkness, Nostromo, and Under Western Eyes. London: Macmillan Education Ltd., 1987.
The Heart of Darkness, a complex text was written by Joseph Conrad around the 19th century, when Europeans were colonizing Africa for wealth and power and were attempting to spread their culture and religion in Africa. It was also a period in which women were not allowed to participate in worldly affairs. Therefore, the text deals with issues such as racism, European imperialism, and misogyny. This essay will look at the different themes in the novel and argue whether or not The Heart of Darkness is a work of art.
Joseph Conrad's novel Heart of Darkness uses character development and character analysis to really tell the story of European colonization. Within Conrad's characters one can find both racist and colonialist views, and it is the opinion, and the interpretation of the reader which decides what Conrad is really trying to say in his work.
Watt, Ian. "Heart of Darkness and Nineteenth Century Thought." Joseph's Conrad's Heart of Darkness. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea, 1987. 77-89.
A. Michael. Matin. Introduction to Heart of Darkness and Selected Short Fiction. New York: Barnes & Noble Classics, 2008. Print.
Conrad, Joseph. "Heart of Darkness." The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Ed. M.H. Abrams et al. 6th ed. vol. 2. New York: Norton, 1993. 1759-1817.
Conrad, Joseph, and Paul B. Armstrong. Heart of Darkness: Authoritative Text, Backgrounds and Contexts, Criticism. New York: W.W. Norton &, 2006.
Conrad, Joseph. “Heart of Darkness.” Norton Anthology of British Literature. 7th Edition. Vol. B. Ed. M. H. Abrams, et. al. New York: W. W. Norton, 2001.
Watts, Cedric. 'Heart of Darkness.' The Cambridge Companion to Joseph Conrad. Ed. J.H. Stape. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996. 45-62.
Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness and Other Tales. Ed. Cedric Watts. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2008. Print.
Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness is a great example of a Modernist novel because of its general obscurity. The language is thick and opaque. The novel is littered with words such as: inconceivable, inscrutable, gloom. Rather than defining characters in black and white terms, like good and bad, they entire novel is in different shades of gray. The unfolding of events takes the reader between many a foggy bank; the action in the book and not just the language echoes tones of gray.
* Conrad, Joseph. “Heart of Darkness” in The Norton Anthology of English Literature, M.H. Abrams, general editor. (London: W.W. Norton, 1962, 2000)
Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness 3rd Ed. Ed. Robert Kimbrough. New York: Norton Critical, 1988.
Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness 3rd ed. Ed. Robert Kimbrough. New York: Norton Critical, 1988.
Wright, Walter F. "Ingress to The Heart of Darkness ." Romance and Tragedy in Joseph Conrad . New York: Russell and Russell, 1966. Pp. 143-160.