Throughout Heart of Darkness, civilization and savagery are two contradicting themes that exist mutually. However, civilization is not a permanent state; it can drift to its opposite side very easily under the power of jungle. Joseph Conrad characterizes Marlow, Kurtz, the manager, and many other roles to demonstrate their moral and values during their experiences in Africa. The traditional western principles are constantly challenged by the nature and the people.
At the beginning, Marlow lives in a moderately civilized world where “A narrow and deserted street in deep shadow, high houses, innumerable windows with venetian blinds, a dead silence, grass sprouting right and left, immense double doors standing ponderously ajar”(Conrad 7). Marlow …show more content…
In Heart of Darkness, Conrad illustrates the common societal phenomenon that “white racism against Africa is such a normal way of thinking that its manifestations go completely unremarked” (Achebe 4). With so many racial conflicts going on now, this novella raises people’s awareness that racism still exists. Also, the Europeans over African natives hierarchy in the Heart of Darkness precisely reflects the white supremacy and white privilege in the United States. For example, white people tend to receive better education and are often more competitive than black people in the selection of job positions. Secondly, sexism, an ongoing issue as well, is also demonstrated in the novella. Conrad depicted women as the accessories of men who are willing to do anything. For example, Marlow’s aunt once answered Marlow’s request, saying “It will be delightful. I am ready to do anything, anything for you. It is a glorious idea”(Conrad 6), which sounds really affectionate. Moreover, Kurtz’s intended, after Kurtz’s death, states that “no one knew him so well as I! I had all his noble confidence. I knew him best” (Conrad 69). She sounds like she is the only person who actually knows Kurtz while she is not. Kurtz means everything to her. Her blind admiration and love to Kurtz reiterate the argument that women are just the accessories of men, which accurately depicts the European patriarchy society back in Conrad’s time. Nowadays, although the society is progressing slowly toward the balance of gender role, sexism still exists. Women are obliged to use men’s last name after marriage; they usually take charge of the household instead of running the society like what most of the men do. Women have to face all sorts of discrimination while competing for job positions or promotion opportunities. A common stereotypical opinion is
At the beginning, Marlow lives in a moderately civilized world where “A narrow and deserted street in deep shadow, high houses, innumerable windows with venetian blinds, a dead silence, grass sprouting right and left, immense double doors standing ponderously ajar”(Conrad 7). Marlow …show more content…
In Heart of Darkness, Conrad illustrates the common societal phenomenon that “white racism against Africa is such a normal way of thinking that its manifestations go completely unremarked” (Achebe 4). With so many racial conflicts going on now, this novella raises people’s awareness that racism still exists. Also, the Europeans over African natives hierarchy in the Heart of Darkness precisely reflects the white supremacy and white privilege in the United States. For example, white people tend to receive better education and are often more competitive than black people in the selection of job positions. Secondly, sexism, an ongoing issue as well, is also demonstrated in the novella. Conrad depicted women as the accessories of men who are willing to do anything. For example, Marlow’s aunt once answered Marlow’s request, saying “It will be delightful. I am ready to do anything, anything for you. It is a glorious idea”(Conrad 6), which sounds really affectionate. Moreover, Kurtz’s intended, after Kurtz’s death, states that “no one knew him so well as I! I had all his noble confidence. I knew him best” (Conrad 69). She sounds like she is the only person who actually knows Kurtz while she is not. Kurtz means everything to her. Her blind admiration and love to Kurtz reiterate the argument that women are just the accessories of men, which accurately depicts the European patriarchy society back in Conrad’s time. Nowadays, although the society is progressing slowly toward the balance of gender role, sexism still exists. Women are obliged to use men’s last name after marriage; they usually take charge of the household instead of running the society like what most of the men do. Women have to face all sorts of discrimination while competing for job positions or promotion opportunities. A common stereotypical opinion is