Heart Of Darkness By Joseph Conrad Imperialism

Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad is a strong piece of evidence documenting the cruelty of Imperialism and de-humanization of the African natives by the British Empire. In the novella, Marlow acts as Conrad’s mouthpiece and explores the theme of imperialism, witnessing torturous treatment and slave like condition of the black people, from Outer station to the Inner station of the Congo Basin. At first, Conrad comments on the very nature of imperialism labelling it as “robbery with violence” [Conrad, pg10] and begins the narration of his journey towards South Africa calling it “a place of darkness” [Conrad, pg12]. The Horrors of imperialism can be seen at Company’s Station where the Company men label their robbery as “trade,” and their ill-
Misery of the natives can be seen in their pitiable condition – either dying or dead. The “black shapes” lying in mournful stillness in the shadows felt like “the gloomy circle of Inferno” to the narrator. [Conrad, Pg20]. Conrad is very straightforward in his views on Imperialism and blatantly puts forth the loot of “Ivory” by the “jolly pioneers of progress”. Kurtz becomes a symbol of Imperialism as he is unpretentious about his methods of force to get Ivory and “extermination” of the natives. (Conrad n.d.) (Conrad n.d.)The heads of black men hanging outside Kurtz’s office like some decoration shows the tyrannical power exercised by imperialists to overpower the naïve natives. He exemplifies white supremacy as he believes he is not there to civilize people but to rule. He does not hide the cruel and callous side of colonialism – the main motive of which is acquisition of money and power, leading to Kurtz’s fall and later on
It seems at some point that Conrad is trying to justify the behavior of people like Kurtz and evoke sympathy for a dying dictator rather than for the oppressed Africans. He only sees them suffering and continues on his path. The use of words like “evil” and “dark” for Africa connotes a negative meaning. The description of African woman as statutory and sketching of black men as shadows is more oppressive than the exploitation by Kurtz and his allies. Also, the protagonist in the novella does not want to get involved in African native customs and traditions, nor did he want to know their importance. He uses the word “Unspeakable” for tribal ceremonies.[Conrad, Pg63] Thus, he becomes a member of the colonist society, which is insensitive in its approach and cruel in its demeanor. Conrad’s sympathy in the “Heart of Darkness” seems superficial as he commonly uses the words like “them”, “these chaps” for the Africans. His attitude reveals his ignorance and when he says that he admires their restraint on cannibalism, hence devoiding them of any human status. But if Marlow could see that cannibals are those who inhumanly and unjustifiably kill using rifles, he would have called the flag bearers of Imperialism as “Cannibals”. [Conrad, Pg31] Along with colonial biasness, there are hints of racism in the novella. Phrase