Colonialism In Heart Of Darkness

Heart of Darkness, written by Joseph Conrad, is a masterpiece of exotic imagination in the late nineteenth century, which portrays Marlow having adventures along the Congo River into the heart of Africa. In the story, Marlow is a representation of the author. Heart of Darkness describes a world not defined, which is full of darkness, not only in the mainland of Africa but in London, too. It successfully illustrates the inner conflict of a civilized man in a wild environment. The tragic exploitation by Western colonialists, the natural dangers of the African jungle, the desire for power and the collapse of civilization shows the main reasons for the collapse of colonialism itself. Marlow’s dual attitudes toward colonialism in Heart of Darkness reveal the despicable ambitions of imperialism as well as clarify the ideal model of imperialism, which consolidates the typical type of imperialism. At the beginning of the novel, the author contrasts imperialism between modern Britain and ancient Rome. The biggest difference is new imperialism like Britain, which has more territorial ambitions and political purpose; in contrast, the old imperialism from ancient Rome focuses on economic plunder.

What saves us is efficiency -- the devotion to efficiency. But these chaps were not much account, really. They were no colonists; their administration was merely a squeeze, and nothing more, I suspect. They were conquerors, and for that you want only brute force -- nothing to boast of, when