Theme of Imperialism in “Heart of Darkness”

Introduction to Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”

Joseph Conrad’s novella, “Heart of Darkness,” first appeared in Blackwood’s Magazine during the 19th century. However, it wasn’t until 1942 that Conrad released it as a book, part of a compilation. This literary work delves into profound and unsettling aspects of human corruption and sociopsychological dysfunction in the African continent.

“Heart of Darkness” narrates themes of exile, bewilderment, and deep uncertainty, alongside a scrutiny of imperialism. At the story’s core, two main characters emerge: Marlow and Kurtz. Kurtz embodies avarice, a commercial mindset, a thirst for power, a penitent sinner, and the corrosive impact of barbarism on seemingly civilized individuals. Marlow, on the other hand, epitomizes an adventurous spirit and an insatiable thirst for knowledge.

The Essence of Imperialism

Imperialism, fundamentally, is the act of expanding dominion and control over distant territories. This control can be attained through direct acquisition or by exerting political and economic influence over the region in question. Two distinct forms of imperialism exist: colonialism and territorial conquest. Marlow, our protagonist, distinguishes between them. In his view, colonization finds justification due to its efficiency and altruistic intentions. Nevertheless, neither colonialism nor territorial conquest can be absolved of the repercussions they bring about, as both paths ultimately lead to the same dire consequences: the devastation of the native land and its inhabitants.

Key Themes Explored in “Heart of Darkness”

“Heart of Darkness” explores various themes, including imperialism and its consequences for both white and nonwhite populations, the journey toward self-discovery, the interplay of order and disorder, deceit, the pretenses of colonialism, the absence of truth, and the inherent futility of evil.

A predominant theme in “Heart of Darkness” is the concept of imperialism. Early in the narrative, Marlow, speaking through Conrad, alludes to the Roman conquest, emphasizing that colonialism has been part of human civilization since ancient times.

The Imperialistic Essence in “Heart of Darkness”

Imperialism, at its core, represents European colonization of Asian and African lands, primarily driven by the pursuit of raw materials and cheap labor. These endeavors were often masked beneath the veneer of spreading civilization to supposedly uncivilized populations. Marlow, in his journey through the Congo, maintains a deeply skeptical perspective on the European imperialist agenda, which purports to be beneficial to the black inhabitants of Africa. Conrad’s commentary on colonization aligns closely with conquest, as outlined at the story’s outset, differing chiefly in how it is portrayed to the ostensibly civilized European public. Colonization, essentially, is a strategy for establishing dominion over the indigenous people of a foreign land.

Running parallel to the theme of imperialism is Conrad’s exploration of the views held by white Europeans toward individuals of other racial backgrounds. At one point in the narrative, Conrad, through Marlow, elucidates that the conquest of the earth equates to “taking it away from those who have a different complexion.” In simpler terms, Conrad implies that Europeans perceive themselves as a superior race when compared to others. The colonization efforts lead to the destruction of these people’s lands, and the eventual exploitation of their resources.

Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” resolutely denounces all forms of imperialism. Even the title itself, “Heart of Darkness,” alludes to a moral decay within the minds of the colonizers, as it portrays the inner corruption of individuals, particularly Kurtz, who is stationed at the heart of this darkness. Conrad openly criticizes the act of seizing African lands from their native inhabitants, describing it as a form of robbery accompanied by violence, a widespread atrocity perpetrated by individuals who are, in many ways, operating blindly, engulfed in darkness.

Marlow bears witness to the catastrophic and harrowing consequences of imperialism, which encompass enslavement, moral degradation, and insatiable greed for wealth in the African context. Europeans profess their civilizational superiority over Africans, yet their actions betray a chaotic thirst for riches achieved through any means necessary. Marlow, during his sojourn in the Congo, comes to realize his own complicity in the imperialist machine, particularly when he observes a white man leading a group of enslaved natives. Irony pervades his statement that he too was a participant in the supposedly noble cause of these ostensibly just proceedings. The Europeans claim to bring civilization to the land of allegedly uncivilized black people, but upon reaching the inner station, Marlow finds nothing but chaos. Kurtz, stationed there, pretends to civilize the indigenous people while simultaneously engaging in the ivory trade. The former is somewhat acceptable, but Marlow witnesses truly unforgivable actions in the form of Kurtz’s involvement in horrifying ancient rituals, including human sacrifices to appease the native Africans and facilitate his commercial ambitions. Marlow’s expedition to the heart of Africa underscores the devastating impact of imperialism.

In summary, “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad serves as a vehement critique of imperialism in all its forms. It shines a searing light on the moral corruption that festers within the hearts of colonizers as they venture deeper into the darkness, revealing the inner corruption of individuals, particularly exemplified by Kurtz’s descent into moral decay. Conrad firmly acknowledges the unjust nature of seizing African lands from their rightful owners, condemning it as a form of robbery carried out with brutal violence, a grand-scale murder perpetuated by individuals who operate in blindness, lost in the darkness of their own making.