"Heart of Darkness"

Book Review # 100803

English > Analysis
Literature

"Heart of Darkness"

This paper explores Joseph Conrad's denunciation of colonisation in "Heart of Darkness".

3,536 words () | 3 sources | MLA | 2007 Australia

Paper Summary:

The paper describes how Joseph Conrad, in "Heart of Darkness", presents a well-crafted critique of colonisation, in particular the commercially driven greed that led to the annexation of much of Africa during the latter half of the 19th century. The paper shows how Conrad critically examines the motives for colonisation and compares the rhetoric from Europe with the reality of colonisation in Africa. The paper illustrates how "Heart of Darkness" serves as a universal condemnation of colonisation.

From the Paper:

"When Heart of Darkness was first published, at the turn of the 20th Century, Europe was well into the scramble for Africa, a race to colonise the African continent that would last up to the beginning of the First World War. Ostensibly set in the Congo Free State, Heart of Darkness documents the journey of Marlowe, the protagonist, as he travels up the Congo River, deep into the jungle, to meet Kurtz, a respected agent of the colony. Marlowe's journey, his interactions with the Europeans, and observations of Africa, form the basis of a well crafted critique of colonisation, in particular the commercially driven greed that led to the annexation of much of Africa during the latter half of the 19th Century. The manner in which Conrad structured Heart of Darkness, with Marlowe as principal narrator, compounds the impact of the narrative, giving it a universal significance. Conrad describes colonisation and its motives, by taking the reader on a journey from London, the biggest, and the greatest, town on earth , to the Inner Station in the heart of the Congo, deep within darkest Africa. European interests: the Company, its agents and Kurtz are the dominant forces in the novel."

Sample of Sources Used:

Conrad, Joseph, Heart of Darkness, Penguin Books, London, 2000(With an Introduction by Robert Hampson)
Maes-Jilinek, Hena, York Notes on Heart of Darkness, Longman Group, Essex, 1992
Stape, J.H, The Cambridge Companion to Joseph Conrad, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2003