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The Dark Side Of Imperialism In Conrad's Heart Of Darkness

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In the early 1900’s, imperialism was one of the last things worrying people in America. In Africa, however, millions of Africans were being enslaved in their home country, which was being taken over by Europeans. They were forced to work until they died of exhaustion and malnutrition. John Conrad, who wrote Heart of Darkness, and George Orwell, who wrote “Shooing an Elephant” were among some of the writers who wrote about living in the imperialistic countries. Their works focus on the dark side of imperialism and the effects it had on the colonized states and the people in the states. In Shooting and Elephant, the conflict is between George Orwell and the natives over an unruly elephant, and in Heart of Darkness the readers travel into the depths of not only Africa, but of the human soul, where heartless acts take place. When Marlow reaches Africa, he witnesses the inhumanity upon the native people. The trading companies treat the natives like slaves by taking advantage of them and forcing them to work hard. The Europeans are trying to prove that they are stronger by purposely targeting a weaker country that is less developed for their economic benefit. The Europeans are encouraged to be cruel and are not able to see the suffering they are causing. They are told that these people are their enemies and that they are criminals. Marlow is in disbelief of what he sees and says, “I’ve seen the devil of violence, and the devil of greed, and the devil hot desire, but by all the

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