Heart of Darkness: Imperialism

     In "Heart of Darkness" Conrad leaves to ambiguity what the "Heart of Darkness" really is. Some argue it's Africa and that the place is what corrupts. Others say its Imperialism that is the darkness, Imperialism, is apparent form the beginning and can be seen in an early quote "nothing to boast of when you have it, since your strength is just another accident arising from the weakness of others" (pg. 69-70) This demonstrates that power is essentially corrupt, because to be in power you must have taken it from someone else, because you decided they were weaker.

Another quote I found that I thought tied in nice is on page 70. "A conquest of the earth which mostly means taking away from those who have a different complexion" This quote I think has the connotation of slavery and imperialism behind it. "...a different complexion" implies black, the Africans in this case, and the imperialism comes in with the connotation behind the word choice "Conquest". Its meaning implies taking over something, in this case a whole civilization, only because they appear different and the Europeans think themselves as more civilized and superior.

Earlier on in the story Marlow talks a little bit about his childhood, and even from an early age we can see the European Imperialism. "...a white patch for a boy to dream gloriously of. It had become a place of darkness." (pg.71) this quote is two-fold, first we can see that the map is at first blank white space, it is the unknown, uncivilized and unconquered in the European's eyes, and this is what attracts them, something new to conquer. Even as a child Marlow dreams of seeing and exploring the white space, but he like the other European didn't take into account that the place was already inhabited. Second the quote is foreshadowing the rest of the story, the Imperialistic dreams will turn to nightmares, and the darkness I believe is what the people bring to Africa.

In one final quote "...Specimen was impressively bald, behold it was like a ball, and Ivory ball" (Pg. 125) The Specimen is Kurtz, the man is charge of the Ivory and conquest. He is now seen as corrupt and looks like the very symbol of imperialism, the Ivory. Ivory is what has made the conquest of Africa possible; the Europeans set out to conquer and take from Africa what they could. But along the way of this dream darkness came, and Kurtz become corrupt keeping the Ivory for himself and went crazy killing men, and putting their heads on stakes.  This man that everyone believed was so great and noble was really corrupt and this was due to Imperialism, and the need for power over others.