Unveiling the Imperialist Motives in Conrads Heart of Darkness

Abstract

Heart of Darkness Heart of darkness Heart of darkness opens with Marlow's main narrator, remarking that England was once one of the dark places on earth. This could mean that in relating to the past of England, the present was different when Marlow was noting this. Therefore, it meant that England was more advanced. It was an insinuation that Africa needed a more advanced civilization. As the story unravels, the setting took place in the Congo Free State, where Belgium controlled the ivory trade, which was insatiable at that time and was rapidly expanding globally. To this effect, Africans were forced into slavery to support the lucrative business upon where the Belgians had a company for the ivory business. The characters in the Heart of Darkness all had t initial different motives upas to visiting Congo, but once they landed there, they all had a common interest. Initially, Marlow had wanted to go to Congo to satisfy his curiosity on the river Congo, which uncoiled itself like a snake. But upon being there, everything changed. Some people had been there before Marlow, and they too had similar motives and curiosities, but once they were fed, the goal became one. Around this time, in the 19th century, Europe controlled many empires around the world. Therefore, places like Congo were subject to being manipulated for their richness in the natural resources. For this reason, the reason that the character wanted to explore more profound in the African interior was due to the creation of empires, just like Europe had done in other parts of the world. Imperialism was colonization, in lighter words, for natural resources and territories' expansion (Abu-Snoubar, 2017). Such is evident in the scenarios whereby Kurtz is depicted as being in Congo for civilization's sole purpose. Still, on the contrary, he is seen to be engaging in the ivory trade and the engagement of horrific ancient rituals of sacrificing human beings (Conrad, 1996). Besides, the white man had been involved in killing the native blacks to get the resources. At the same time, Marlow condemns taking African lands, citing that it was not right. With such kinds of scenarios, it is evident that the Europeans had in mind the notion of imperialism (Abu-Snoubar, 2017). Marlow believes that his mission is based on the heavenly voyage in that he had gone to spread Christianity. This could also be the reason why they were so determined so much penetrating the African continent so that civilization could take effect. Colonization and exploitation of resources was another reason that forced the characters to go deep into the African territories. Colonization is having control over people of a particular region and owning by force. Colonization comes with the exploitation of resources whereby the natives cannot enjoy the resources and benefits of their mother country (Hasan, Ahmed, and Muhammad, 2021). Colonization is well evident through Marlow, who was Conrad's spokesman stating that Europeans think they are of a higher rate than the natives they met in Africa and hence ought to have more elevated privileges (Conrad, 1996). The higher race had to take the resources from the natives, thus, had to ensure that their goal of colonization was achieved. To maximize the areas of colonies, they had to...