Heart of Darkness was written when British imperialism still existed and tradition and “civilization” carried a lot of importance. Delve into how the political and social situation of that time was reflected in Heart of Darkness and how it effected the action. Use textual evidence when possible.
One of the central themes in “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad is imperialism. The main plot line of the novel is the main character’s journey while working with the Company trading products up the Congo River. However, Marlow soon realizes that these objects are actually slaves. But to better understand the novel, it is important to know that it was written when imperialism still existed and the idea of social Darwinism spread rampant. The owners of these trade companies and others felt that it was their duty to eliminate less fit races and promote the ideal (white) race. Therefore, it is important to realize that the characters in the novel are only following the everyday attitudes of people and countries to become the fittest civilization and spread their superiority over the world which in effect would give them more power globally by creating their empire. Throughout the novel, everyone seems brainwashed with this idea. The only person who seems to break from this ideology is Kurtz. However the ironic part is that he is a prestigious employee of the Company who is following the idea of imperialism and social Darwinism. In fact, Kurtz mentions how he and the company are harming the natives of the Congo while none of the natives “here bear a charmed life” (44). And because of Kurtz contradictory attitudes of popular belief, he views Kurtz as “disturbed and…puzzled” because of his ironic life (44). Therefore, the political and social situation of the time greatly influences the actions in the novel since imperialism has a strong hold on the ideologies of most people. Everyone is following these beliefs of imperialism without thinking of the moral implications. It is not until Marlow meets Kurtz that this is broken by Kurtz recognizing this wrongdoing but still not acting upon it since imperialism was common practice at the time.
ReplyDeleteAt the time Conrad got the inspiration for Heart of Darkness, published 1899, Europe, especially the super powers, was experiencing a second boom of colonization. This movement, known historically as the scramble for Africa, centered on the concept of “the white man’s burden”. Developed, white, European nations believed it was their duty to civilize the African natives. Completely stripping the virgin lands for natural resources at a prophet wasn’t a back consequence either. In Conrad’s case, he was ejected from the French navy and settled in with a group of entrepreneurs in Belgium. He was sent to explore the Congo River, which was one of the greatest mysteries at the time. Heart of Darkness is almost a copy of the journal the author kept. In fact, many of his published fiction have a basis in reality. In the book, a man, Marlow, recounts his tale of exploration. Through Kurtz, we see the corruption of the endeavor, a corruption that almost every has fallen to, as far back as Hernan Cortes and the discovery of Mexico. Because many powers set up profitable colonies in Africa, disputes were inevitable. Much of WWI was fought on seas on the Suez Canal. As dictated in the war’s peace treaty, all foreign nations were required to decolonize. The disaster this caused is a story for another time.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Conrad's novel Heart of Darkness was published in a time period where imperialism was still rampant and as Kelly mentioned Heart of Darkness was published in 1899. You can tell that the social situation of the time period was racist through out the novel because of the way Kurtz and Marlow act towards the "natives". Also Marlow talks about all the "white pioneers" in a positive light, "They had sailed from Deptford, from Greenwich, from Erith – the adventurers and the settlers; kings’ ships and the ships of men on ‘Change; captains, admirals, the dark ‘interlopers’ of the Eastern trade, and the commissioned ‘generals’ of East India fleets. Hunters for gold or pursuers of fame, they all had gone out on that stream, bearing the sword, and often the torch, messengers of the might within the land, bearers of a spark from the sacred fire. 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" but he sheds negative light upon the "natives" they are seen as "dark" Marlow finally comes to understand that the colonist are not all "good" and proper, he says, " "Mind, none of us would feel exactly like this. What saves us is efficiency--the devotion to efficiency. But these chaps were not much account, really. They were no colonists; their administration was merely a squeeze, and nothing more, I suspect. They were conquerors, and for that you want only brute force--nothing to boast of, when you have it, since your strength is just an accident arising from the weakness of others." Marlow believes that these colonist, these explorers only care about profit and that making money, the imperialist nature of the true meaning of their colonizing arrises. The time period was a time when women were not seen as equal to men and were not suppose to be working, this is seen often throughout the text, "Then – would you believe it? – I tried the women. I, Charlie Marlow, set the women to work – to get a job. Heavens! Well, you see, the notion drove me. I had an aunt, a dear enthusiastic soul. She wrote: 'It will be delightful. I am ready to do anything, anything for you. It is a glorious idea." Marlow was astounded at the idea of women wanting to work, this shows the social inequality of the time era. Heart of Darkness is a tale of psychological endeavor as well as a journey to a foreign land, that holds many life lessons and reveals much about the time period.
ReplyDeleteThe age of imperialism for the European powers during the late 19th century serves as motivation for and the central theme of Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness.” The novel represents the various hypocrisies of imperialistic attitudes, such as the contrast between the “duty to civilize the savages’ and the harsh treatment of the natives during the attempt to bring Africa under European control. Conrad focuses particularly on Belgian imperialism. During the time period of the novel, King Leopold II was the ruler of Belgium and thus the ruler of the Congo, which was under Belgian control. He set up the project “Congo Free State” under the notion that it was for establishing civilization within the Congo; however, he mainly used the Congo to profit off of its natural resources. The Belgian rule of the Congo and the false pretenses under which the “Congo Free State” was set up are reflected in Marlow’s gradual realization of the actual purposes of colonization in Africa. He also finds himself as having unknowingly been part of the imperialistic issue, believing the ideas of developing Africa for their own good, which portrays the average European as being oblivious to the corruption going on within the governments and elites. At first, Marlow even addresses the appeal of the Company by saying that the “snake [has] charmed [him]” (23). Later on, Kurtz is seen as the character that fully exposes “the horror” (86) of imperialism, which leads Marlow to question if Kurtz “… [lived] his life…surrendering that supreme moment of complete knowledge” (86).
ReplyDelete“The Heart of Darkness” is during the time of Europe’s imperialism, and this brought about want for money, and a need to promote their ideas. One of Marlows first observations as he begins his trip up the Congo is that of the “natives”. Kurtz encounters with these savages was more in depth, and was less of a conversion mission, as to making money. Kurtz put a use on the lack of knowledge of these tribes, and used them in his hunt for money. He used them to find “ivory”. The “natives” may have thought him to be a God, so he put use to their willingness to serve, and in a sense used them as slaves. Greed took over the minds of the week men in search for money, and took many lives. Kurtz being one of these unfortunates to loose their lives. After this unfortunate event the book reveals that women were not looked very highly of at the time. When Marlow reveals the loss to Kurtz’s to be, she is a “creature” (145)and weeps for Kurtz as if she lost him yesterday. Money is all that mattered to a man, and Conrad reveals this truth of the time, that "what saves us is efficiency-the devotion to efficiency" (50)
ReplyDeleteHeart of Darkness is not only set during the period of European imperialism in the late 1800s, but its plotline is dominated by this theme. As a few students have discussed in earlier posts, the white man felt superior to the natives of these countries and felt that it was their obligation to save them. However, it is obvious that European imperialists had alterior motives, as they simply wanted to conquer territory and take advantage of precious resources. Marlow's entire journey down the Congo is for this purpose, and he becomes fascinated with meeting Kurtz, an ivory trader at the bottom of the river. This point is emphasized when the "company's chief accountant" (65) tells Marlow that Kurtz is "'a very remarkable person'" and is "at present in charge of a trading post, a very important one, in the true ivory-country, at 'the bottom of there' (66). During the trip, Marlow is extremely curious and respectful of Kurtz, but his opinions change as he "penetrated deeper and deeper into the heart of darkness" (90). When Marlow finally meets Kurtz, he sees on the documents the expression, "'Exterminate all the brutes!'" (111). Marlow has a revelation and realizes that the intentions of Kurtz and all of Europe were not to save the natives, but rather to exploit them. The goal was to kill them, capture their lands, and use their resources. Marlow is horrified by this knowledge, and his respect for the ambitions of his home country is lost.
ReplyDeleteShane: good job on the clear and well written analysis on the affect of imperialism on the novel, Kelly: nice research on Conrad’s life, Will: great job, appropriate textual evidence that drive home your point, Natalie: good comment on imperialism, Clay: good new direction with the women’s status, Jeffrey: good textual evidence for your idea
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Maura Patricia Grant Josh Kelsey Kevin Brennan
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Consider the naming and the characterization of others in the book and how that reflects on the protagonist/writer's feelings and judgment of them
Joseph Conrad does an excellent job of indirectly injecting his own spin on European imperialistic desires through subtle structural elements. This makes the novel less straightforward, but ultimately offers more critical pathways with which to probe the work through. This is no stronger evident than through the juxtaposition of Mr. Kurtz and his fiancée, the Intended. Kurtz’s ambition and commanding personality is a perfect match for the Belgian imperialist machine occurring at the time. Though Conrad’s character design of Kurtz seems all bright and sparkly on the outside, he seems to foreshadow a potential flaw in Kurtz’s character. The Intended sees this exterior mentioned previously; ironic considering she sees what European’s intended to see at this time. Falling in between these two foil characters is Charlie Marlow. The use of a neutral first and last name (by the way, very few characters are known by first and last name in the work) suggests a certain truth about Charlie. The audience knows Charlie more personally, allowing Conrad to “safely” (in terms of the cautious audience he targeted when he wrote The Heart of Darkness) funnel his most intimate opinions on the characters/imperialist situation in Africa through him, “they were conquerors, and for that you want only brute force--nothing to boast of, when you have it, since your strength is just an accident arising from the weakness of others. They grabbed what they could get for the sake of what was to be got. It was just robbery with violence, aggravated murder on a great scale, and men going at it blind--as is very proper for those who tackle a darkness” (Conrad 13-14).
ReplyDeleteThe names or lack of names of characters are directly linked to Marlow’s feeling towards the characters. During the time period of "Heart of Darkness," Europe was colonizing many areas. These conquerors sought to exploit the native’s resources and civilize the natives. This process dehumanized all involved. This lack of humanization may be the reason the characters do not have names. Only two characters have names, Marlow and Kurtz. This shows the importance of their actions. Both Marlow and Kurtz have a different relationship to the natives than the other company members. Kurtz treats the natives just as bad if not worse than the other company members. He proudly displays their heads... However the natives praise Kurtz. In fact Kurtz is in a relationship with a native. Marlow also has a different view toward the natives. He does not see them as horrible people, but rather a different type of person than his company members. Marlow’s lack of naming shows his lack of caring towards the others. He stereotypes them. He does not see the importance of the individual person, but rather there fitted place in society. The names of characters in the story reflect Marlow’s opinions or lack of opinions of various characters.
ReplyDeleteThe Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad has two main characters Marlow and Kurtz, but the other characters like the Brickmaker, the Cannibals, and the Pilgrams shape the main characters throughout the novel, even though they are not given names. Conrad doesn't give any other individual a name because the story focuses on Marlow and Kurtz and shows their importance to the novel, however the reason behind not giving any other character a name shapes characters as a group rather than pointing out one individuals characteristics. The setting of this novel was a time of dehumanization, which also reflects upon Conrad's reason for not specifically naming any other characters. For example, the Brickmaker meets Marlow at the Central Station. He is conniving and scheming and also a spy who doesn't actually produce bricks. The characteristics of the Brickmaker shape Marlow's attitude throughout the novel. "Try to be civil, Marlow," (89) is what Kurtz had to say to Marlow to keep him from acting childish. Not giving any other characters names makes Marlow's or Kurtz's opinions about the civilization atand out more than any others.
ReplyDeleteBrennan: good analysis of Charlie, Trisha: nice comparison of Charlie and Kurtz, Kelsey: nice job noting how Marlow and Kurtz stand out and the dehumanization of others
ReplyDeleteAnother late post, I know, but I’m trying to get all of my blogs done before final grades are sent. The fact that Marlow and Kurtz are the only two characters who are named in the whole novel is a stark, although indirect, way for Joseph Conrad to convey his opinion of British imperialism and the sweeping dehumanization that it leaves in its wake. The lack of names implies a sort of insignificance that surrounds all the characters other than Marlow and Kurtz, which is ultimately the goal of British Imperialism, to make all of its conquered territories subservient to monarchial England. In order to achieve the goal of civilization, the British had to first achieve the prerequisite of dehumanization. Through his metaphors and underlying symbols, it is clear that Conrad was opposed to the British Imperialism.
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