Exploring the Evil of Colonialism at the Heart of DarknessA masterpiece of 20th-century writing, Heart of Darkness exposes the tenuous fabric that keeps “civilization” together and the horror brutal. at the center of European colonialism. Joseph Conrad's short story, Heart of Darkness, describes a life-changing journey of the protagonist, Marlow, to the African Congo. The story explores the historical period of colonialism in Africa to illustrate Marlow's struggles. Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness is most often read as an attack on colonialism. Marlow, like other Europeans of his time, was raised to believe a certain thing about colonialism, but his views change as he experiences the effects of colonialism firsthand. This essay will examine Marlow's negative view of colonialism, shaped through his experiences and relationship with Kurtz. Marlow's understanding of Kurtz's experiences shows him the effects that colonialism can have on a man's soul. Most of Marlow's comments on colonization in general seem to defend or even praise this idea. He says that "the conquest of the earth, which mostly means taking it away from those who have a different complexion or a slightly flatter nose than us, is not a beautiful thing when you look at it too closely", but he says that such action is redeemed by the idea behind it. “Not a sentimental pretension but an idea, and a selfless belief in the idea – something that one can put up and bow to, and to which one can offer sacrifice” justifies colonization. The idea is civilization, and Marlow's speech indicates that civilizing the rest of the world is worth the sacrifice of the freedom of the uncivilized peoples of the earth. Marlow further describes colonization in full light... middle of paper... to a man's soul. Marlow's journey not only took place in the heart of Africa, but also in the heart of Kurtz, where he realized the truth about colonialism and the potential evil it entails. Works cited and consulted: Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness 3rd ed. Ed. Robert Kimbrough. New York: Norton Critical, 1988. Edward W. Said, The World, the Text, and the Critic. (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1983) 13. Hillman, James. “Notes on White Supremacy: An Essay on an Archetypal Narrative of Historical Events,” Spring (1986): 29-57.McLynn, Frank. Hearts of Darkness: European Exploration of Africa. New York: Carol & Gey, 1992. Meyers, Jeffrey. Joseph Conrad. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1991. Patrick Brantlinger, “Heart of Darkness: Anti-Imperialism, Racism or Impressionism? Review (fall, 1985) 364.