Issues of race & imperialism

[Rupal]

Hi everyone,
I want your help to find proper answer to the ques
How are the issues of race & imperialism woven in Heart of Darkness
Rupal

[Dewayne]

"The conquest of the earth, which monstly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much." is a perfect quote to show how imperialism and racism is woven though the Heart of Darkness. Marlow is foreshadowing his story. In this quote he is talking about Romans conquering London in the past. The romans conquered the people of "lesser value", too civilized people because their society was so-called up to par. They see them as savages and ignorant people just because they are different. In this situation, Belgium is being racist because they are stealing from and using black people only. Belgium thinks they are superior to the africans, obviously, by thinking and succeeding at running over them, for their benefit.

[YoMuthu$luvuh]

Imperialism can be defined as a policy of forming or maintaining an empire through subjugation and domination of affairs of weaker territories. The first obvious example of imperialism appears on pg. 7 when Marlow arrives at the Company's offices in Brussels. He somewhat sarcastically quips that "they were going to run an oversea empire and make no end of coin by trade," going to conquer the savage Continent. When Marlow arrives at the outer station, the subjugation of the natives is evident as he witnesses six black men "toiling up a path" each with an iron collar around his neck and connected with chains "rhythmically clinking," laborers in the "work" that was going on (pg.12). An example of racism would be when Marlow is reflecting on the conquest of the Earth stating that "mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much." He is implying that the foundation of imperialism is taking away from those who are believed "inferior" by civilized society. In his following sentence, "What redeems it is the idea, only," asserts that civilization justifies prejudiced subjugations through the idea that society is saving the "savages" and domesticating them for their own good.