Within the world itself, in the late 19th early 20th centuries, there was a slight division on the happenings in Africa. This is evident by the fact that Conrad has two different narrators, who take to binary opposite views, about the western involvement in Africa. The framed narrator, part of Marlow’s audience, is clearly in favour of colonialism, and actually did think of it as a superior culture bringing light to the darkness. This can be seen where he says:

Hunters for gold or pursuers of fame, they all had gone out on that stream, bearing the sword, an

Although The Heart of Darkness does in many ways uphold the notion of the British gentleman and their authority, it, in contrast, uses a variety of techniques to critique the notion of imperialism and the colonial period. The text highlights the ruthless colonial exploitation, involuntary servitude, and direct violence, the native people that live in the insolvent state endure. This meaning however, is complex and at times only implicit. Conrad after all never identifies the location of ‘the river’ and refers to Belgium as the ‘Sepulchral city’. However, Conrad, through the construction of his character, Marlow openly expresses the negative aspects of colonialism.

In the novella Conrad tries to conceal his true message. The prominent reading of this text, from the point of view of someone in modern times, is that the colonisers used the falsities of bringing light and knowledge to the ‘savages’ to cover up their imperialistic ways. He uses the characters of the framed narrator and Marlow to further explore the binary opposite views of the time. This is the dominant reading is in complete contrast to the quote of Sir Henry Morton Stanley, which gives us a purpose for the novella, to show that the Western European colonisers were in fact imperialists whose only crusade was to conquest others.

The recurring theme of darkness (a symbol for the reality of their society) and fear perpetuate the action, and ultimately envelops the characters that struggle with this dilemma such as Ku

Some topics in this essay:
Heart Darkness, Western Civilisation, Western Civilisations, Josef Conrad, Morton Stanley, Western European, framed narrator, modern times, Henry Morton, henry morton stanley, Sir Henry, sir henry morton, western civilisation, binary opposite, light knowledge, sacred fire, binary opposite views, opposite views, light darkness, heart darkness, sir henry,