Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness free essay sample

An analysis of the novel and a look at the authors use of imagery. This paper examines the narrative, syntactic devices, and imagery in the novel `Heart of Darkness` by Joseph Conrad. The author examines the novellas psychological journey and argues against past criticisms of its racist and anti-imperialist tone. In the historical context in which it was written, Heart of Darkness seems to be responding to the monstrous activity that was occurring overseas in the mysterious Dark Continent. In the late 1800s, about the time Joseph Conrad wrote the novella, King Leopold of Belgium and other European nations invaded Africa with the goal of converting the natives to Christianity and stripping the continent of its rich supply of ivory. In effect, the civilizing of the Africans developed into a cruel exploitation of their labor and perversion of the land. The anti-imperialistic voice of Marlow, as told by an unknown narrator, resonates with the growing anxiety over the Empire; but his savage portrayal of the Congolese pervades the narrative with a racist tone. We will write a custom essay sample on Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Since the issue of British imperialism entails African slavery, the position that many critics take, that Conrad is anti-imperialistic and yet racist, would have to be eradicated in order to avoid a contradiction. Conrad honors these contradictions by intentionally confusing questions of race, black and white, good and evil, civilized and savage. Therefore, the heartless portrayal of the empire is not necessarily a literal commentary on history; rather Marlows journey through the mysterious Congo is a metaphorical mapping of the inner workings of human nature in the absence of the imposed restraints of society.