Congo Free State

Darkness, a novel by Joseph Conrad, is about Marlow, a European going to the Congo to work for an ivory company to find one man, Kurtz; he has been out of sight for a while when the reader first hears about him. This book expresses views on both imperialism and racism. Although there is not a lot of substance to the book does not mean it is not worth anything. Heart of Darkness shows the reader events and facts about the Congo one should know to really understand it. Shows how bad the Africans…

The jungle in Heart of Darkness represents the imperialistic nature of The Company, and Mr. Kurtz represents the native people of the Congo. The reason for imperialism is to enlighten those who needed enlightenment, or those who were deemed lesser in development by the outside world. The imperialists, in this case The Company, see themselves as stronger, and more dominate over the natives. On page 15, the description of the jungle in contrast to “a tin shed and a flag-pole lost in it [the…

working directly for King leopold, from Brussels. These two explorers discovered that Africa was rich in minerals such as diamonds and materials such as rubber. They also came to realize that they could use these African people living there, as a way for free labor. In 1885 this is exactly what happened during the Berlin Conference, when world powers such as Germany, Britain, Spain, France and Austria-hungary split up Africa into different colonies. These European powers believed, That it is…

Herbert Spencer was an English sociologist who lived during the age of a new form of imperialism that swept throughout Europe. Although Spencer himself was not directly nor physically involved in these new imperialistic ways, he did author the most standout narrative for legitimizing these European imperialists: ‘Social Darwinism’. The European upper class in the 1870’s sought to extend both its economic and political power beyond their shores; and they employed this ‘Social Darwinism’–the…

was an opportunity to gain wealth and power. Together, they devised a strategy to for Congo. Stanley would first set up base at the river’s mouth and then build a single road around the rapids as a guide for a railway. Over this road, porters would carry steamboats in pieces up to the rapids, which Stanley would later construct and use to travel upstream, building a chain of trading stations along the entire Congo River. Stanley’s motives were clear to the public, while Leopold reached “new…

Central Africa. I can’t believe they think they can just come in and seize our territory. This is not fair! Some guy named King Leopold II is the driving force behind all of this colonization. They are beginning to set up Belgin settlements in the Congo. I am so frustrated and sad. I just heard from some friends of mine that they overheard the Europeans talking about how France is taking over the heart of Africa and the farther north! The Europeans are seizing everywhere!!! The only two places…

Blake Bartlett Mrs. Tarpey English III 13 May 2016 Greed in "Heart of Darkness" Heart of Darkness was written by Joseph Conrad. Conrad provided great insight in his book because he had experienced what he wrote about first hand. Heart of Darkness shows greed through personal gain, the reason Europe colonized Africa. Europe wished to enslave the people of Africa and exploit their resources. This story is a journey of a man named Marlow, narrated by none other than himself. This journey takes…

the impact of someone's environment on their mental health? Intro: Have you ever been to a new place and felt uneasy? Perhaps it was creepy, unusual, or just foreign. That is how the characters in Heart of Darkness felt when they traveled to the Congo. Everything was foreign and strange and, after a while, it took a significant toll on their mental and physical health. Thesis: Conrad shows the relation between insanity and physical illness primarily through the character of Kurtz and his…

forces him to contend with nature’s power. Although the Congo keeps the natives ashore, it still jeopardizes Marlow’s safety. As he travels deeper, the River becomes more threatening, and throughout the remainder of Marlow’s quest, it proves itself to be his adversary. Literary experts have compared Heart of Darkness’ Congo River to a sanctuary, offering explorers an intermission from the “unspeakable horrors” in the surrounding jungle. The Congo provides a secure haven for Marlow amidst the…

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is a novella that explores the inhuman treatment of African people as they were brutally enslaved by European rulers under the umbrella of colonisation. Through this novella, contemporary audience are able to recognise immoral actions which largely practise corruption, discrimination and ultimately, imperialism. Joseph Conrad, has successfully illustrated to contemporary audience the Victorian era values on colonisation and civilisation being a productive force…