Contemporary History and Imperialism

Heart of Darkness

It was written by Joseph Conrad. The story is set in London, but there is a large part of it that happened in Congo. The writer went to Congo in the year 1980, on June 12. The inspiration for his writing may have been derived from what Conrad experienced in Congo. At that time, Britain had the most influence and power in the world. The Britain Empire stretched throughout Africa, Asia and Europe. Joseph Conrad was born in 1857, in Ukraine. His original name was Jozef Konrad Teodor Korzeniowski. As the writer, Conrad was a foreigner who was looking out. He was neither of African nor British origin; hence he was an appropriate party for writing a story about Congo and Britain. After all, he had insight regarding both countries (Svensson).

Summary

According to Svensson, the novella clearly portrays the Imperialism of Europeans. The novella talks about Marlow's trip on a steamboat, as he travelled the forest in Africa, looking for Mr. Kurtz, who used to sell ivory. Marlow's intention is that of finding Kurtz, he will return him to civilization. Mr. Kurtz is so much against leaving that he organizes for the steamboat to be attacked when it nears his station. Africans love Mr. Kurtz, so he exploits his popularity among them. However, Marlow finally succeeds in making him board the steamboat. Kurt, however, dies while on their journey to England. He says his final phrase, "the horror, the horror." Marlow is forced to go back alone. On his arrival, Marlow visits the intended wife of Kurtz. He gives her the old letters of Kurtz. This brings her to remember him as great, and that he was loved by her. She asks about his final words, and Marlow says "your name."

Full-blown imperialism took place in Congo after King Leopold the 2nd began colonizing the Free State of Congo in 1878. Leopold II, in 1982, announced that every resource belonged to him. It was after that announcement that Belgians increased their search for new ivory sources. They established stations at the banks of the Congo River, to help with the exploration. The Belgians were cruel to the people of Congo; they beheaded them and cut off their limbs. The story derived its inspiration from Conrad's expedition in Congo during the Belgian colonial period. The entire story portrays exploration of Congo from a Eurocentric view. The story is directly linked to the force of redemption and the horror and waste of the dark world mission of Europe. Conrad tries to show us the great theft adventure of Kurtz and the trip by Marlow up River Congo. From the story, there is one common theme; the acts by Europeans of mastering its will and imperialism about or in Africa. There is a lot of emphasis on the Imperialism of Europeans through the entire story (Prioti).

Criticism of Imperialism

According to Hawkins' argument, the novella portrays the brutal impact of imperialism despite the vagueness of the narration. Conrad attempts to show British imperialism, probably through Marlow's naive character. Marlow looks at the African map, from which he claims that he is happy that he has witnessed "vast amount of red" from the map of the Company; which was a symbol of the territory of Britain. He is happy because "real work is done there"; which signifies commerce, religion, salvation and culture. The actuality of colonialism has been portrayed in the novella by the Manager of the District, who is an actual imperialist. He exploits his power fully, as well as the colony's power. Marlow is able to note the only thing about the Manager that was good; he never got ill. It can be seen from Marlow's knowledge of Kurtz, Marlow takes Kurtz through a mental path; as the one to bring civilization to savages using imperialism, and at the same time being the one getting ore reward; ivory. Conrad appears to be against the only kind of imperialism that is selfish and wasteful. To some extent, he seems to support the imperialism of Britain, calling it "efficient" and stating that it is done based on an unspecified "idea."

Conrad, in his novella, chose two precise criteria-efficiency along with the "idea" on which the judgment of imperialism would be based. Based on both internal and external evidence, it can be said that Conrad did not adopt these values in the end. However, he picked them since in that period; they were held in many places in England, and it was appropriate for him to speak against the imperialism that occurred in Congo. Conrad's aim was not really to endorse British values, just so he could "disguise that foreign look." On the contrary, in the parts of the novella that were political, he tried to appeal his audience's values in order for him to criticize the evils that took place in Congo, which was materially distinct from the territories of Britain. Conrad, in the novella's subtext, portrays some kind of criticism of the imperialism of Britain, but the criticism in this case is implicit and is based on fully different criteria (Hawkins).