Colonialism and Imperialism in Heart of Darkness Essay -- Heart Darkne

Imperialism Exposed in Conrads smell of vestige Conrads Heart of Darkness is, as Edward verbalise says, a story almost European acts of imperial mastery (1503)-its methods, and the effects it has on human nature-and it is presumable that Conrad incorporates much of his own experience in the congou and his opinions about imperialism into the story, as another recent critic also suggests he seems to approve of Marlow, the narrator (Achebe 1492). These revelations of the author ar conveyed to the reader through Marlows observations, descriptions, reactions, and statements. While Heart of Darkness is at times very critical of European imperialism, that criticism for the most part is directed at the false idealistic claims made about the enterprise and the inefficient and savage methods employed by the Belgians the book does not question imperialism when undertaken competently, particularly by the British. The opening discussion in Heart of Darkness between Marlow and his friends, i s about an idealistic imperialism of conquerors, especially English, who were bearers of a spark from the sacred fire-the fire of civilization (1428). Marlow once too had tingled with enthusiasm at the theory of imperialism, as his friends do during their recollection of the past, but that was before his experience in the Congo, where he uncovers the crudeness of the Belgians. Imperialism, to Marlow, is not alw... ...tional support he has for his country. Marlows idea that the English are capable of competently approaching imperialism has no supportive evidence. In any case, the savage and inefficient methods of the Belgians prove that the idealistic claims of European imperialism are far from true. In this, it is likely that Conrads experience in the Congo changed his outlook on imperialism, just as it did Marlow. Works Cited Barnet, Sylvan, et al. An Introduction to Literature. 11th ed. NY Longman, 1997. Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. Barnet 1426. Achebe, Chinua. An Image of Africa Racism in Conrads Heart of Darkness. Barnet 1489. Said, Edward W. The Imperial Attitude. Barnet 1502.