During the 1890’s and early 1900’s, the world looked to be adapting to new discoveries and innovations. The concept of colonization was flourishing, and countries such as Belgium, France, and Great Britain were using their colonies in Africa to better their own country. The resources found in the colonies helped to produced many of the goods that they would either use or sell to other countries. As seen in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, however, the costs of colonization are typically much more that the benefits. The turn of the century marked a change in the way that people thought and acted, and Conrad attempted to show this change in his novel. In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, the late 1890s’ social, historical, and cultural values
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The plot of Heart of Darkness is about a man who goes to the Congo on a French steamer, to work with a corporation, deemed “The Company”. The Congo was already occupied by the Company, and the Company’s goal was to collect ivory from the colony. Modern society condemns the concept of taking over other land for the purpose of improving their own country, but during this time, colonization was the norm for industrialized countries. Charles Marlow, the main character of the story, understands the confusion and absurdity of the concept, as he states early in the novel, “The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses that ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much” (Conrad 7). Very few people during the turn of the century actually looked at colonization in its entirety, including the flaws and disadvantages. Most just saw a steady flow of resources coming into the country, and were perfectly fine with the “free” materials, even if it was obtained through foul or inhumane methods. As Marlow explores the world outside of Europe, he also sees the differences between the powerful white man and the “savage brutes” that are the African people. Society had separated the average Caucasian and …show more content…
Victorian values were the values of restraint, the values that did not tolerate any source of disobedience or rule-breaking. Modernism, on the other hand, goes towards modern beliefs, and a more relaxed way of life. The novel itself is a symbol of the changes in culture over time, moving from the Victorian style of life to the more modernistic version. In the novel, Marlow begins with strict Victorian values, stating, “You know I hate, detest, and can’t bear a lie… simply because it appalls me” (Conrad 27). Through the journey, however, he slowly becomes more modernized in his beliefs, and his ability to twist situations to his favor, as he finds that not telling the truth all of the time can be useful to help yourself. At the conclusion of the novel, he talks to Kurtz’s Intended, and she asks him about the last words of Kurtz. Had Marlow told the truth, he would have most likely shocked the woman, who would have jumped to the worst case condition. Instead of saying the real last words, Marlow lies and tells the Intended that Kurtz’s last words were her name (77). By doing so, Marlow shows his personal transition from Victorian to modern life, showing a change in cultural
The plot of Heart of Darkness is about a man who goes to the Congo on a French steamer, to work with a corporation, deemed “The Company”. The Congo was already occupied by the Company, and the Company’s goal was to collect ivory from the colony. Modern society condemns the concept of taking over other land for the purpose of improving their own country, but during this time, colonization was the norm for industrialized countries. Charles Marlow, the main character of the story, understands the confusion and absurdity of the concept, as he states early in the novel, “The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses that ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much” (Conrad 7). Very few people during the turn of the century actually looked at colonization in its entirety, including the flaws and disadvantages. Most just saw a steady flow of resources coming into the country, and were perfectly fine with the “free” materials, even if it was obtained through foul or inhumane methods. As Marlow explores the world outside of Europe, he also sees the differences between the powerful white man and the “savage brutes” that are the African people. Society had separated the average Caucasian and …show more content…
Victorian values were the values of restraint, the values that did not tolerate any source of disobedience or rule-breaking. Modernism, on the other hand, goes towards modern beliefs, and a more relaxed way of life. The novel itself is a symbol of the changes in culture over time, moving from the Victorian style of life to the more modernistic version. In the novel, Marlow begins with strict Victorian values, stating, “You know I hate, detest, and can’t bear a lie… simply because it appalls me” (Conrad 27). Through the journey, however, he slowly becomes more modernized in his beliefs, and his ability to twist situations to his favor, as he finds that not telling the truth all of the time can be useful to help yourself. At the conclusion of the novel, he talks to Kurtz’s Intended, and she asks him about the last words of Kurtz. Had Marlow told the truth, he would have most likely shocked the woman, who would have jumped to the worst case condition. Instead of saying the real last words, Marlow lies and tells the Intended that Kurtz’s last words were her name (77). By doing so, Marlow shows his personal transition from Victorian to modern life, showing a change in cultural