It is clear early in the novel that Conrad is making a negative statement about European imperialism. Marlow’s first journey occurs on the French steamer shipping down the

African coast. Marlow describes the ship’s sole purpose as “landing soldiers and custom-house officers.”(27) Marlow is clearly upset with the continuing drop-off of these men along the coast. When speaking about the port cities established by the European settlers and traders, Marlow said that their “names seemed to belong to some sordid farce acted in front of a sinister back-cloth.”(28) Marlow realizes that being trapped on the ship, and therefore trapped within the confines of Western ideals and thoughts, has kept him “away from the truth of things within the mournful and senseless delusion.”(28) His only “momentary contacts with reality”(28) occurs when black men travel on their paddle boats, and Marlow is captivated by their feature and presence.

Marlow’s tale of his journey is a powerful criticism to the conduct of European imperialism of Africa. Through descriptive details of surrounding environment and events, Marlow is proficient in adequately describing the disgrace of this action. Like Kurtz’s statement in Apocalypse Now, it is a clear criticism of the practices of interference and imperialism and cry for awareness and relief.

Perhaps the greatest setting in the novel that lays witness to the perils of imperialism is the path which leads from the coast to the Central Station. Marlow states that there is nothing really worth mentioning. However, he does make a strong note all the abandoned villages scattered along the long path. “

Some topics in this essay:
Marlow Conrad’s, Africa Marlow, Station Marlow, Central Station, , Looking Africa, European Africa, Coastal Station, American Western, Heart Darkness, descriptive details, marlow describes, central station, own people, european imperialism,