Essay Prejudice, Racism and Power in Heart of Darkness

Race and Power in Heart of Darkness In Joseph Conrads novella, Heart of Darkness, the socially constructed differences of African and European cultures are effective in representing the power sites of the time. The alleged `superiority of the European culture can be recognized by comparing their ideologies to those of the primitive, `inferior `savages. Conrads personal experiences in the Belgian Congo, in the 1890s, influenced the compilation of Heart of Darkness, reflecting the waste and inefficiency of British Colonialism. Conrad referred to the colonization of Africa as, the vilest scramble for loot that ever disfigured the history of human conscience and geographical exploration.(Joffe, 78) The cultural†¦show more content†¦Among the confusion and, great demoralization of the land,(p36) he still has the time and influence to train a native woman to care for his wardrobe. The reader is positioned to view the Europeans as a sophisticated race with dominance over the primitive Africans. The attitudes and values of the European society during the late 1800s are represented through Conrads construction of Marlow, thereby imparting to the reader a deeper understanding of the power sites of the era. Marlow comes to scorn imperialism as he witnesses the cruelty, vindictiveness and debasement of western man. Marlow refers to the Eldorado Exploring Expedition as the less valuable animals.(p59). He has come to realize that due to their lack of moral values, they are of no more worth than the donkeys they led. Although Marlow condemns the operations of imperialism, and sympathizes with the natives, he still shares the prejudices of many of his fellow Europeans, viewing the natives as insignificant. To Marlow his helmsman is merely an instrument(p84) and the natives are of no more account than a grain of sand in a black Sahara.(p84). In the 1890s, the dominant European perspective was that Africans were inconsequential and worthless, whereas western society was `s uperior. As Marlow questions the actions of imperialists, the reader is encouraged to contest the values and attitudes of their ownShow MoreRelated Prejudice and Racism in The Jewel in the Crown and Heart of Darkness1361 Words   |  6 PagesRacism in The Jewel in the Crown and Heart of Darkness      Ã‚   The effects of British colonialism are reflected in literature from both early modernism and post colonialism. Racial discrimination tainted both eras portrayed in the British morale of white supremacy over non-European counties unfolded. Heart of Darkness exemplifies early modernism in the British explorers viewed African natives of the Congo as incapable of human equality due to perceived uncivilized savagery. Personal interactionRead MoreSonny s Blues By James Baldwin1028 Words   |  5 Pageslingering hate and prejudice. 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