Look at what Conrad has to say about the various European empires and their role in Africa. Toward the beginning of Heart of Darkness, Conrad discusses the Roman Empire in Britain and then makes some comparisons between how the Romans governed Britain and the rest of Europe, and how the British are doing it today. Pay attention to what Marlowe has to say about the conduct of each of the individual powers, and the nature...
Look at what Conrad has to say about the various European empires and their role in Africa. Toward the beginning of Heart of Darkness, Conrad discusses the Roman Empire in Britain and then makes some comparisons between how the Romans governed Britain and the rest of Europe, and how the British are doing it today. Pay attention to what Marlowe has to say about the conduct of each of the individual powers, and the nature of an empire based on greed versus one that claims to be doing good in the world.
There are also specific actions in the book which are useful to consider as regards the civilizing mission of the Europeans. Consider the battleship that Marlowe mentions at one point as he heads into the Congo. What is it doing? And based on what it's doing, what can be said about what the Europeans are doing there?
Consider the character of Kurtz. What were Kurtz's intentions in coming to the Congo, and what has been the end result in the story? What's the effect of the European commercial presence in the Congo?
As you consider the interactions between Africans and Europeans, there are a few ways to address this question. How are Africans present in the story? What kind of characters are they? And how are they treated or described by the various European characters, including Marlowe?
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