Heart of Darkness
Imperialism has always had certain negative effects. Not only are the victims of imperialism exploited economically but they are often bound to experience racism. The natives are forced to abandon their political and spiritual views to learn the ways of the imperialists. In Joseph Conrad's novel Heart of Darkness, Conrad describes the negative consequences affiliated with imperialism for not only the indigenous people, but also the imperialists themselves.
In the beginning of the novel Heart of Darkness, Conrad shows that the British believed their imperialism had a positive influence on the Congolese by introducing them to civilization and the British way of life. "Hunters for gold or pursuers of fame, they all had gone out on that stream, bearing the sword, and often the torch, messengers of the might within the land, bearers of a spark from the sacred fire. What greatness had not floated on the ebb of that river into the mystery of an unknown earth! … The dreams of men, the seed of commonwealths, the germs of empires." (pp. 2-3 ll. 29-2). This is an optimistic statement describing the British mentality. They assume that they are imperializing for helpful reasons when they are truthfully just attempting to obtain Congo's resources. Marlow undermines the good intentions of the explorers. In the quote, "Mind, none of us would feel [...] at the back of it; not a sentimental pretence but an idea; and an unselfish belief in the idea." (pp. 4-5 ll. 26-5), Marlow shows that he knows the explorers and imperialists are not heroes; they are thieves who only care for the profit involved.
The imperialists exploit the natives in numerous ways - not only for profit. "Near the same tree two more bundles of acute [...] his brother phantom rested its [...] of these creatures rose to his [...] time let his woolly head fall on his breastbone." (p. 16 ll. 1-8) This quote is a fine example of how the natives are treated as a result of imperialism. The slaves are mistreated in such an inhumane manner that Marlow does not even consider them human. Marlow does not call the slaves 'people' or 'humans', but instead describes them as 'phantoms' and 'creatures'. The slaves do not receive any food or medicine and are left to perish outdoors. Another example of how the natives are treated can be seen in the following quote which occurred shortly after the shed fire in the novel. "The shed was already a heap of embers glowing fiercely. A nigger was being beaten nearby. They said he had caused the fire in some way; be that as it may, he was screeching most horribly." (p. 22 ll. 14-16) The black man is in this case most likely innocent. He is blamed for causing the fire without any evidence of the man's misdeed and is beaten senseless because of it. The Europeans are immune to his suffering and exploit him to show their superiority. They are treating him as a wild animal and are essentially violating his human rights.
As well as the natives being affected by imperialism, it also influences the imperialists to a certain degree. Our first insight of the change in the imperialists is seen when Marlow visits the doctor before his trip to Africa. "[...] and then with a certain eagerness asked me whether I would let him measure my head. [...] got the dimensions back and front and every way, taking notes carefully [...]'And when they come back, too?' I asked. 'Oh, I never see them,' he remarked; 'and, moreover, the changes take place inside, you know.'" (p. 9 ll. 22-29). Marlow's head is being examined because the doctor has a theory that when people return from the depths of Africa, their head size will not be the same. This is a symbol that informs us that people ve1nturing to the Congo will not return the same person - which tells us that the imperialists personality is altered during their visit in Africa. This quote is an insight of the occurrences that take place later in the novel.
Mr. Kurtz is a fantastic example of how an imperialist's personality develops. We are told in his initial report to the Company that he wishes to travel to Africa to complete significant acts of ""humanizing, improving, instructing"" (p. 32 ll. 29-30). His main purpose of going to Africa is not only for adventure, but also, as the quote informs us, to humanize and to improve Africa. It can also be seen in his painting which is introduced to us on page 23. "Then I noticed a small sketch in oils, on a panel, representing a woman, draped and blindfolded, carrying a lighted torch. The background was sombre -- almost black. The movement of the woman was stately, and the effect of the torchlight on the face was sinister." (p. 23 ll. 28-31) The torch in the painting symbolizes that Kurtz' original purpose for coming to Africa was to bring the 'light' of civilization to the 'darkness' of Congo, which is the reason why the background of the painting was pure darkness. Light and darkness are contrasts that are used in the painting to bring forth its importance in the novel.
Mr. Kurtz only wanted to bring civilization to Congo for a limited period of time. As he got a sense for the power which was easily within his grasp his personality changed. With the use of pure force and domination, he eventually "Sends in as much ivory as all the others put together . . .'" (p. 17 l. 17). He changes from a character who means well to a person who believes the Company should "'Exterminate all the brutes!'" (p. 51 l. 5). This transformation of Kurtz' character is primarily because of imperialism and the power that comes with it.
Conrad's Heart of Darkness can easily be compared with the poem White Man's Burden by Rudyard Kipling. Both texts deal with aspects in imperialism. Kipling implies that it is the white man's responsibility to imperialize as everyone deserves to live in a world of civilization. Conrad challenges Kipling's view on imperialism and the white man's responsibility by discussing the negative consequences of imperialism.
Conrad's view on imperialism can be seen throughout the entire novel. Imperialism affects the natives negatively as they are mistreated and their human rights are being violated. Conrad does not, however, believe that it is entirely the natives who are affected by imperialism. The imperialists are also vulnerable to personality changes as can clearly be observed on the change in Mr. Kurtz' character. This is, according to Joseph Conrad, due to the power that comes with imperializing.