Colonization and Heart of Darkness is the author for or against it Essay

Colonization and Heart of Darkness is the author for or against it - Essay Example thesis statement Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness proves that the author is against settlement because the under(a)lying theme is anti-colonial/sympathy towards the victims of colonization (say, the Afri stools) (special references to the autobiographical elements in the live on). Authors view on colonization First of all, the theme of the work Heart of Darkness is interconnected with the authors growth and development from a teenager (deeply interest in geography, maps and adventurous animation) to a mariner. within this context, his journey to Congo changed his attitude towards colonization and its consequences. To be specific, voyage to the Dark Continent (Africa), especially to Congo, helped Conrad to realize the drawbacks of colonization, forced labor and slavery. Marlow states that Strings of dusty niggers with splay feet arrived and bypast a stream of manufactured goods, rubbishy cottons , beads, and brass-wire set into the depth of darkness, and in return came a valued trickle of ivory (46). In the novel, the undercurrent of sadness and helplessness leads the author to be pessimistic towards life and human values. His voyage to Congo helped him to realize the anti-human aspects of colonizers who considered the African continent as the source of raw materials and slaves, not as a society throbbing with life. Later, Conrad recollected his experiences in Congo and utilized the protagonist as his mouthpiece to communicate with the readers. To be specific, his development from an adventurous teenager to a mature individual who can score the drawbacks of colonization forced him to a pessimistic towards life. From a different angle of view, his deep involvement in Polish Nationalist Movement in his later life can be evaluated as his kvetch against colonization. Within this context, angiotensin-converting enzyme can easily identify that the author is totally against c olonization and his work can be considered as the protest against colonization and its far reaching consequences. Autobiographical elements As pointed out, Conrad is the talker (say, narrator-protagonist, Marlow) and his voyage to Congo in the year 1889 is portrayed in the work. To be specific, in his real life, Conrad obstinate to travel to the heart of Africa (Congo). So, he decided to seek the help of one of his relatives, namely, Aleksander Poradowski. Later, Conrad came to know that his relative was dead(a) and decided to seek the help of Poradowskis widow (Marguerite). With her help, Conrad was able to be the commander of a Belgian steam boat which voyaged to Congo. At that time (in 1890s), Congo was under Belgium, especially under fagot Leopold II. Within this context, trade relation with Congo and Belgium was based upon Belgian colonization in Congo by King Leopold II. In his work, Conrad did not give emphasize to the drawbacks of imperialism or colonization but provided ample importance to his let experience in Congo. Through the character Marlow, Conrad portrayed the hardships faced by the people of Congo under the Belgian colonization. Marlow makes clear that They passed me within six inches, without a glance, with that complete, deathlike indifference of unhappy savages (43). Within this context, one can easily identify that Marlow (say, the protagonist) represents the authors firsthand experience in Con