The Horrors of Colonialism and Imperialism in Conrads Heart of Darknes

     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   From the onset of the novella Heart of Darkness, the narrator Marlow compares his subsequent tale of colonialism with that of the Roman colonization of Northern Europe and the fascination associated with such an endeavor. However, throughout his narration, Marlow challenges this viewpoint by painting a heinous picture of the horrors of colonialist ventures. In the opening of his tale, Conrad, through Marlow, establishes his thoughts on colonialism. He says that conquerors only use brute force, "nothing to boast of" because it arises, by accident, from another's weakness. Marlow sees colonization as; "Robbery with violence, aggravated murder on a great scale, and men going at it blind - as it is very proper for those who tackle darkness." Furthermore, he sees such conquests as taking land and materials away from those people who "have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses." This epitomizes the futility in such an undertaking. Moreover as he understands it, colonization is only successful if there lies within it a "devotion to efficiency" and a creation of civilization, not exploitation (Conrad, 4). In his novella, through the eyes of his narrator Marlow, Conrad offers a frank critique of European imperial colonialism through the numerous oppositions of black and white and dark and light.   Through the individual characterization, Conrad creates the division between dark and light ... ...of Anthropology, Lawrence Univ.).  Ã‚   "Africa and Africans in Conrad's Heart of Darkness."  Ã‚   A Lawrence University Freshman Studies Lecture, 24 Jan. 1996.   Rpt. James Banks, Willamette Univ.; & Free Speech Television: http://www.freespeech.org/james/conrad/heart.htm (Accessed: Apr. 2002) Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness, New York: Dover, 1990. Dintenfass, Mark. "Heart of Darkness: A Lawrence University Freshman Studies Lecture." 14 Mar. 1996. *http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~csicseri/dintenfass.htm* (2  Ã‚  April 2002). Hayes, Dorsha. "Heart of Darkness: An Aspect of the Shadow," Spring (1956): 43-47.. McLynn, Frank. Hearts of Darkness: The European Exploration of Africa. New York: Carol & Gey, 1992.