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org © 2016 IJCRT | Volume 4, Issue 4 December 2016 | ISSN: 2320-2882

A STUDY OF COLONIALISM IN JOSEPH

CONRAD'S HEART OF DARKNES

*Mrs. Sunita S Kademani, PGT English, Sainik School Balachadi, Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Abstract:
The purpose of this research is to study the Colonialism in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness.
Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad is a novel that explores the darkness and brutality of colonialism in
Africa. Set in the late nineteenth century, it tells the story of Marlow, an English sailor, who is sent on a
journey up the Congo River to retrieve a rogue ivory trader named Kurtz. The novel depicts the brutal
exploitation of Africa by European colonial powers, as Marlow describes the violence, cruelty, and
inhumanity of the colonial project. Conrad portrays the African continent as a place of darkness and
savagery, but also critiques the destructive nature of colonialism itself. At the heart of the novel is Kurtz,
who has become a symbol of the corruption and brutality of the colonial system. He is described as a man
who has gone beyond the bounds of civilization, and who has been corrupted by the power and wealth that
colonialism provides. Kurtz's descent into madness is seen as a metaphor for the moral decay of the entire
colonial enterprise. Conrad's novel is also notable for its portrayal of the indigenous people of Africa. They
are often depicted as "savages" who are treated brutally and exploited for their labor and resources. Conrad
challenges the colonialist mindset by questioning the supposed superiority of European civilization, and by
showing how colonialism has dehumanized both the colonizers and the colonized.

Keywords: Colonialism, Joseph Conrad's, Heart of Darkness etc.

INTRODUCTION:
Colonialism is a central theme in Joseph Conrad's novel, Heart of Darkness. Set in the late 19th
century, the novel explores the destructive effects of European imperialism in Africa, focusing on the journey
of a European protagonist named Marlow into the heart of the Congo River basin. Through his portrayal of
the brutal and exploitative practices of colonialism, Conrad offers a powerful critique of the destructive
impact of imperialism on both the colonizers and the colonized. The novel depicts the complex and often
messy nature of colonialism, highlighting the themes of power, domination, cultural identity, and moral
corruption. Conrad's portrayal of colonialism has been the subject of much debate and controversy, with
some critics arguing that the novel perpetuates negative stereotypes of African people, while others see it as a
powerful critique of imperialism and a condemnation of the destructive effects of colonialism. Nonetheless,
it is clear that colonialism is a central theme in Heart of Darkness, and that Conrad offers a complex and
nuanced portrayal of this important historical phenomenon.

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Colonialism, defined as the process by which a foreign power asserts control over a territory and its
people, is a central theme in Heart of Darkness. The novel is set during the period of European imperialism
in Africa, when European powers were engaged in a race to colonize and exploit the resources of the
continent. In the novel, the Congo River basin is depicted as a prime example of the destructive impact of
colonialism, as European powers, such as Belgium, France, and Britain, engage in a ruthless competition for
control over the region. Through the character of Marlow, the novel's narrator, Conrad offers a powerful
critique of colonialism and its effects on both the colonizers and the colonized. Marlow is initially drawn to
Africa by a desire for adventure and the promise of wealth, but as he travels deeper into the interior, he
becomes increasingly disillusioned with the brutal and exploitative practices of colonialism. The novel
presents a stark contrast between the idealistic rhetoric of the European colonizers and the reality of their
actions on the ground, as they engage in practices such as slavery, forced labor, and genocide.

Moreover, Conrad's portrayal of colonialism is not limited to the physical and economic exploitation
of the African people. He also explores the psychological and moral impact of colonialism on the European
colonizers, highlighting the ways in which the pursuit of power and wealth can corrupt even the most well-
intentioned individuals. This theme is exemplified by the character of Kurtz, a talented and charismatic
European trader who descends into madness as he becomes consumed by his desire for power and control
over the African natives.

Throughout the novel, Conrad uses rich and evocative language to depict the African continent and
its people, often employing negative stereotypes and imagery that have been criticized for perpetuating racist
attitudes. However, it is also worth noting that Conrad's portrayal of colonialism is complex and nuanced,
and that he offers a powerful critique of imperialism and the destructive impact it has on human societies.
Heart of Darkness remains a seminal work of literature on the theme of colonialism, and continues to
provoke discussion and debate among scholars and readers alike.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY:

The purpose of this research is to study the Colonialism in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness.

THE COLONIALISM IN JOSEPH CONRAD'S HEART OF DARKNESS:

Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness is a complex and layered novel that explores themes of
imperialism, colonialism, and the darkness of the human soul. Set in the late nineteenth century, the novel
follows the journey of Marlow, a seaman who is sent to the Congo to retrieve a rogue ivory trader named
Kurtz. Colonialism is a major theme in Heart of Darkness, and the novel offers a scathing critique of
European imperialism and the way in which it dehumanizes and exploits the African people. Throughout the
novel, Conrad portrays the African natives as mysterious, primitive, and almost inhuman. They are
frequently referred to as "savages," and are portrayed as little more than beasts of burden to be used by the
European colonizers. In contrast, the European colonizers are portrayed as arrogant, exploitative, and
morally bankrupt. Marlow himself is ambivalent about his role in the colonial enterprise, and frequently

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expresses disgust and horror at the brutal and inhumane treatment of the native people. Kurtz, the novel's
central figure, is depicted as a brilliant but ultimately corrupt and savage character who has become so
consumed by the darkness of the African jungle that he has lost touch with his own humanity. One of the
central motifs in the novel is the idea of "the darkness," which represents the moral and spiritual decay that
comes with the practice of colonialism. The European colonizers, who are supposed to be bringing
civilization and progress to Africa, are in fact contributing to the darkness by engaging in brutal and
exploitative practices that dehumanize the native population.

Conrad's portrayal of colonialism in Heart of Darkness is highly critical, and he shows how it leads to
a kind of moral decay and spiritual emptiness among the colonizers themselves. Marlow, for example, is
initially drawn to the idea of going to Africa and participating in the colonial enterprise, but as he witnesses
the brutality and inhumanity of the colonizers, he begins to question his own motives and the morality of the
enterprise as a whole. One of the most disturbing aspects of colonialism in Heart of Darkness is the way in
which it leads to a kind of psychological breakdown among the colonizers. Kurtz, for example, who is
initially seen as a brilliant and charismatic figure, becomes increasingly unhinged as he becomes more deeply
immersed in the brutal and exploitative practices of colonialism. He ultimately descends into a state of
madness and becomes a kind of embodiment of the darkness that has consumed him. One of the key themes
in Heart of Darkness is the idea of "othering," which is the process by which one group of people is defined
as different and inferior to another. In the novel, the African natives are consistently portrayed as "other," or
different from the European colonizers, and are treated as inferior and subhuman. This process of othering is
a fundamental aspect of colonialism, and Conrad shows how it leads to a kind of moral blindness among the
colonizers, who are unable to see the African people as fully human. Another important aspect of
colonialism in Heart of Darkness is the way in which it is linked to the concept of power. The European
colonizers hold all the power in the relationship between themselves and the African natives, and they use
this power to exploit and dehumanize the native population. This power dynamic is reinforced by the racist
and paternalistic attitudes of the colonizers, who believe that they are superior to the African people and have
a duty to "civilize" them.

It is worth noting that Conrad's portrayal of colonialism in Heart of Darkness is not a straightforward
condemnation of the practice. Rather, he shows how colonialism is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon
that is intertwined with issues of power, race, and morality. At the same time, however, he makes it clear that
the destructive and inhumane aspects of colonialism far outweigh any potential benefits that it might offer.
One of the most significant aspects of colonialism in the novel is the role played by economics. The
European colonizers are primarily motivated by their desire for profit and exploitation of the resources of the
African continent. The ivory trade is one of the main drivers of European colonialism in the region, and the
ruthless pursuit of ivory results in the exploitation and abuse of the African natives. Moreover, the economic
exploitation of Africa is linked to the larger system of global capitalism, which perpetuates a cycle of
exploitation and inequality. The African continent is reduced to a source of raw materials and labor for the
European colonizers, who extract wealth from the continent and bring it back to Europe. This process not

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only leads to the dehumanization and exploitation of the African people but also perpetuates a system of
inequality and exploitation on a global scale.

Another significant aspect of colonialism in the novel is the idea of civilization. The European
colonizers see themselves as bringing civilization to the "dark" and "primitive" African continent, but in
reality, they are imposing their own narrow and rigid ideas of civilization on the native population. This
process leads to a loss of cultural identity and a sense of alienation among the African people, who are forced
to adopt European ways of life. It is important to note that colonialism in Heart of Darkness is not presented
as a monolithic or homogeneous phenomenon. There are significant differences between the different
European nations involved in the colonial enterprise, and there are also differences in the ways in which
individual colonizers participate in the practice of colonialism. Nonetheless, Conrad makes it clear that the
overall impact of colonialism on the African continent is uniformly negative, resulting in exploitation,
oppression, and the destruction of traditional ways of life. One of the key ways in which colonialism is
depicted in the novel is through the idea of the "white man's burden," which was a concept that justified the
idea of European imperialism by arguing that it was the duty of the "civilized" European nations to bring
enlightenment and progress to the "uncivilized" peoples of the world. This concept is presented in the novel
through the character of the "pilgrims," who are European colonizers that believe they are bringing
civilization to Africa but in reality are participating in the brutal and exploitative practices of colonialism.

Another important aspect of colonialism in the novel is the idea of moral corruption. The European
colonizers are portrayed as being morally corrupt and spiritually bankrupt as a result of their participation in
the brutal and exploitative practices of colonialism. This moral corruption is exemplified by the character of
Kurtz, who becomes increasingly obsessed with power and domination as he descends into madness.
Additionally, colonialism in Heart of Darkness is depicted as a process of dehumanization. The African
natives are portrayed as being stripped of their humanity by the European colonizers, who see them as little
more than objects to be exploited and abused. This process of dehumanization is linked to the larger
historical phenomenon of racism, which is presented in the novel as being a fundamental aspect of
colonialism. It is worth noting that Conrad's portrayal of colonialism in Heart of Darkness has been the
subject of much controversy and debate. Some critics argue that the novel is a deeply racist text that
perpetuates negative stereotypes of African people, while others see it as a powerful critique of imperialism
and a condemnation of the destructive effects of colonialism. Nonetheless, it is clear that colonialism is a
central theme in the novel and that Conrad offers a complex and nuanced portrayal of this important
historical phenomenon.

One of the ways in which colonialism is depicted in the novel is through the language and imagery
used to describe Africa and its people. The continent is frequently portrayed as a dark and mysterious place,
inhabited by savage and primitive peoples. This language and imagery reinforces negative stereotypes of
African people and serves to justify the exploitative practices of the European colonizers. Moreover,
colonialism in Heart of Darkness is linked to the larger historical context of European imperialism in the late
19th century. The novel was written during a time when European powers were engaged in a race to colonize
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and exploit the resources of Africa, and Conrad's portrayal of colonialism reflects this larger historical
context. In this sense, the novel can be seen as a commentary on the broader historical forces that shaped the
colonial enterprise in Africa. Another significant aspect of colonialism in the novel is the idea of power and
domination. The European colonizers are depicted as being obsessed with power and domination, and this
obsession leads to the brutal and inhumane treatment of the African natives. This theme is exemplified by the
character of Kurtz, who becomes increasingly consumed by his desire for power and control as he descends
into madness. Additionally, colonialism in Heart of Darkness is linked to the idea of cultural identity. The
European colonizers seek to impose their own culture and way of life on the African natives, leading to a loss
of cultural identity and a sense of alienation among the native population. This process of cultural
domination and erasure is presented as being one of the most destructive aspects of colonialism.

Finally, it is important to note that colonialism in the novel is not presented as a static or unchanging
phenomenon. Conrad depicts the colonial enterprise as being in a state of constant flux and change, with
different groups and individuals participating in the process of colonialism in different ways. This dynamic
and complex portrayal of colonialism reflects the messy and contested nature of the historical process of
imperialism.

CONCLUSION:
Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness offers a powerful critique of colonialism, exploring the
destructive impact of European imperialism on both the colonizers and the colonized. Through his portrayal
of the brutal and exploitative practices of colonialism, Conrad highlights the themes of power, domination,
cultural identity, and moral corruption. The novel depicts the complex and often messy nature of colonialism,
showing how it involves not only physical and economic exploitation but also psychological and moral
corruption. Conrad's portrayal of colonialism has been the subject of much debate and controversy, with
some critics arguing that the novel perpetuates negative stereotypes of African people, while others see it as a
powerful critique of imperialism and a condemnation of the destructive effects of colonialism. Despite the
controversies surrounding Heart of Darkness, the novel remains a seminal work of literature on the theme of
colonialism, offering a nuanced and complex portrayal of this important historical phenomenon. It reminds
us of the importance of critically examining the legacy of colonialism and the ongoing struggles for
decolonization and social justice around the world.

Colonialism in Heart of Darkness is portrayed as a deeply destructive and inhumane practice that not
only dehumanizes and exploits the native population, but also leads to a kind of moral and spiritual decay
among the colonizers themselves. Through his portrayal of colonialism, Conrad offers a powerful critique of
imperialism and its devastating effects on both the colonized and the colonizer. Overall, "Heart of
Darkness" is a powerful critique of the destructive nature of colonialism, and a condemnation of the brutal
exploitation of Africa by European powers. It remains a powerful work of literature that continues to
resonate with readers today, and it continues to inspire critical conversations about the legacies of
colonialism and imperialism.

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