Heart Of Darkness, is a novel by Joseph Conrad, that raises issues of racism and colonialism, exploiting another country or territory's people and resources for the benefit of a more “civilized” nation. It tackles issues of parallel idea between savagery and civilization. How the so-called savages are treated in their own territory by supposedly civilized people. Black people being forced into slavery for ivory trading being tortured and killed in the process.
In the story, Kurtz represents a capable ambitious man who realizes that to thrive in the interior (what interior?), he has to act like a god, someone who can lead these ‘primitive’ people to the proverbial light and civilization. Immediately, greed and conceit consumed him. As a result, …show more content…
As an illustration, Conrad described him as,”He hated all this, and somehow he couldn’t get away. When I had a chance I begged him to try and leave while there was time; I offered to go back with him. And he would say yes, and then he would remain; go off on another ivory hunt; disappear for weeks; forget himself amongst these people - forget himself - you know. ‘Why! He’s mad,’ I said (3.4).” Furthermore, this shows readers that even a strong capable person can become insane, no one can stay sane with too much power in their hands.
Throughout the first two parts of Joseph Conrad's book, the character Kurtz is built up to be an amazing and remarkable man. In the third chapter, however, we learn the truth about who Kurtz really is. Kurtz cries out in a whisper, "The horror! The horror!"(p. 86), and in only two words he manages to sum up the realization of all the horrors of his life during his time in the Congo. In the first parts of the book most of the characters Marlow meets tell him all good things about Kurtz. When Marlow inquires about who Kurtz is he is told by the chief …show more content…
What greatness had not floated on the ebb of that river into the mystery of an unknown earth!…The dreams of men, the seed of commonwealths, the germs of empires (1.6).” The colonists are described as shiny, altruistic pioneers sallying forth into the dark uncivilized world to bring salvation and civilization to the ignorant races. Oh, but also terror, rape, enslavement, and forced conversion. ”I own to you that just then I perceived - in a new light, as it were—how unwholesome the pilgrims looked, and I hoped, yes, I positively hoped, that my aspect was not so - what shall I say?—so—unappetizing: a touch of fantastic vanity which fitted well with the dream-sensation that pervaded all my days at that time (2.14).” Marlow hopes he looks prettier than the pilgrims, even though his stunning good looks might get him eaten by his own cannibal aides. In this situation, caring about your appearance goes beyond vanity right toward madness. (Seriously, wouldn't the rational response be to uglify yourself as much as
In the story, Kurtz represents a capable ambitious man who realizes that to thrive in the interior (what interior?), he has to act like a god, someone who can lead these ‘primitive’ people to the proverbial light and civilization. Immediately, greed and conceit consumed him. As a result, …show more content…
As an illustration, Conrad described him as,”He hated all this, and somehow he couldn’t get away. When I had a chance I begged him to try and leave while there was time; I offered to go back with him. And he would say yes, and then he would remain; go off on another ivory hunt; disappear for weeks; forget himself amongst these people - forget himself - you know. ‘Why! He’s mad,’ I said (3.4).” Furthermore, this shows readers that even a strong capable person can become insane, no one can stay sane with too much power in their hands.
Throughout the first two parts of Joseph Conrad's book, the character Kurtz is built up to be an amazing and remarkable man. In the third chapter, however, we learn the truth about who Kurtz really is. Kurtz cries out in a whisper, "The horror! The horror!"(p. 86), and in only two words he manages to sum up the realization of all the horrors of his life during his time in the Congo. In the first parts of the book most of the characters Marlow meets tell him all good things about Kurtz. When Marlow inquires about who Kurtz is he is told by the chief …show more content…
What greatness had not floated on the ebb of that river into the mystery of an unknown earth!…The dreams of men, the seed of commonwealths, the germs of empires (1.6).” The colonists are described as shiny, altruistic pioneers sallying forth into the dark uncivilized world to bring salvation and civilization to the ignorant races. Oh, but also terror, rape, enslavement, and forced conversion. ”I own to you that just then I perceived - in a new light, as it were—how unwholesome the pilgrims looked, and I hoped, yes, I positively hoped, that my aspect was not so - what shall I say?—so—unappetizing: a touch of fantastic vanity which fitted well with the dream-sensation that pervaded all my days at that time (2.14).” Marlow hopes he looks prettier than the pilgrims, even though his stunning good looks might get him eaten by his own cannibal aides. In this situation, caring about your appearance goes beyond vanity right toward madness. (Seriously, wouldn't the rational response be to uglify yourself as much as