During the rise of imperialism and colonialism, Europeans scrambled to create colonies around the world to obtain natural resources. As countries competed for dominance, colonies and resources rose as signs of wealth and power of an empire. This search for resources, such as gold or ivory, has led many European conquerors and leaders to commit inhumane acts in order to obtain power. In Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Conrad emphasizes Kurtz’s search for power through finding ivory to create his inhumane nature. In order to enhance Kurtz’s villainous nature, Conrad describes the Europeans’ adoration for Kurtz and then destroys that notion by unveiling the truth of Kurtz’s evil within.
