![]() Most importantly is Kurtz’s document on the suppression of savage customs which is a positive document regarding the natives of the Congo, however, Marlow discovers that written on the bottom is a message to exterminate “the savages.” Here we see that Kurtz’s fall from European civilization into savagery condemns the culture and lives of the natives that ironically he himself has fallen for. Despite noting the poor care that the natives receive he does nothing to help them going so far as to agree with the agents when he states that he does not actually blame the agents when they got rid of the cannibals’ main source of food. This occurs when the natives run out of food (hippo) on the steamer they eat a strange mixture of flour and water that disgusts the Europeans. There are few positive things that Marlow notes about the natives often remarking on their strange ways. The distinct difference in culture is shocking to the Colonials who can only respond by branding the natives as savages. Raskin proposes that Conrad uses this description as “an exposé of imperialist rapacity and violence.” (Raskin 364) This description of the natives as savages is underscored throughout the novel with the diction that is associated with savagery. The native population in Heart of Darkness are represented as savages who are criminals and enemies. The natives described as cannibals are poorly treated and only fed hippopotamus meat, refused food by the Europeans. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |