The Conquest in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness :: Heart Darkness essays

Conquest in Heart of Darkness The conquest of the earth, which mostly way of life the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or s whitely flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you encounter into it too much. (Conrad 65) So stated Marlow as though this was his justification for destruction the Congo in his chase for ivory. Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness shows the variation between the European ideal of civilization and the reality of it as is demonstrate by the domination, torture, exploitation and dehumanization of the African population. Heart of Darkness is common mood of the evil and greed in humanity as personified by Kurtz and Marlow. These emissaries of light are shown to be crude, sordid and violent. They had no regard for the destruction of Africas natural environment, wantonly destroying hills in a feeble attempt to return a railway, No change appeared on the face of the rock....the cliff was not in the way or anything but th is objectless blasting was all the prepare going on. (Conrad 76) This statement reveals the real motive for venturing into the Congo which was not to flirt a better, more civilized lifestyle to the poor, underprivileged Africans but to indulge their lust for power. It was just robbery with violence, aggravated murder on a great scale, and men going at it blind - as is in truth proper for those who tackle a vestige. (Conrad 65) Just as master key Frankenstein in the novel Frankenstein created a monster that was a manifestation of his inner inflammation and demons, so too Kurtz and Marlows journey into Africa is an unveiling of their inner darkness which we are all afraid to face. Like Grenouille, in Perfume and Victor Frankenstein, Kurtz sought power, adoration and godlike status both among his European counterparts and the inhering Africans. Just as Grenouille bottled and unruffled special fragrances so too Kurtz collected human heads displaying them around his hut as troph ies. Kurtzs journey into Africa, as well as his inner journey, can be likened to Grenouilles hibernation in the cave for seven years or Victors search for his monster across the icy slopes. During this period each individual underwent a transformation and a realization of the horrors they have created. Kurtzs final talking to The horror The horror are comparable to Victor fleeing the scene when approach with the manifestation of his handiwork.