Heart of Darkness Summary

Heart Of Darkness
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Heart of Darkness
During the establishment of colonial rule in Africa, natives were impacted in diverse ways. Since the Colonial administration had set its goals in Africa, the Colonial masters treated native Africans inhumanly. For instance, Geo. W. Williams wrote a letter to King of the Belgians criticizing his administration's actions in the Independent State of Congo. Through the letter by Geo. W. Williams, addressed to His Serene Majesty Leopold II, Williams raises concerns, which can be compared to other works such as Conrad's "Heart of Darkness." Williams and Conrad's works complement each other in their presentations of treatment of the natives and fulfillment of Colonial goals.
Geo. W. Williams and Conrad's work highlight the plight of natives in Congo by exposing the evil of imperialism. Through Conrad's "Heart of Darkness," the hypocrisy of imperialism is brought out through a character named Marlow. Marlow, who was operating a steamer along Congo River to the Inner Station, encounters first-hand torture scenes directed on native Africans. The agony, as narrated by Marlow, is accompanied by near-slavery and cruelty. Kurtz admits that he does not take part in trade in native Congo but instead obtains ivory through force. As a compliment to Conrad's work, Williams writes to King of the Belgians, stating that His Majesty's title is badly clouded within the Congo State. Williams's arguments are based on atrocities committed against the native Africans.
Secondly, both Conrad's and William's work brings about the issue of the absurdity of evil. Marlow, a character in Conrad's work, is at crossroads in either choosing to align himself with the Coloni...