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changing views
As in, for instance, Benito Cereno, and many other examples of nineteenth century literature, Conradīs vision of nature and "natural man" is one of dread. Nature is dark and all-powerful, and to try to conquer it is impossible . Primitive man is unfathomable; heīs childish and cruel by nature, just the opposite of civilized londoners. The futility of the naval bombardment of the lonely coast illustrates this. Nowadays; or at least till a couple of years ago; Rosseau's "good savage" has made a comeback, a far cry from Conradīs vision of the congolese tribesmen ( or of the russians, for that matter ).