"I turned to the wilderness really, not to Mr. Kurtz, who, I was ready to admit, was as good as buried. And for a moment it seemed to me as if I also was buried in a vast grave full of unspeakable secrets. I felt an intolerable weight oppressing my breast, the smell of the damp earth, the unseen presence of victorious corruption, the darkness of an impenetrable night."
- Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness
- Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness
When reading the novel, I can certainly see where Conrad is coming from with the idea of the perpetual darkness at the core of man and nature. Not necessarily true evil, but the inability or lack of desire to understand another person or to form a sympathetic connection with an individual. Because the African people were not even seen as so much as people, the colonizers found no trouble in taking over them. Conrad attempted to show the British reader of 1910 the wrongs of colonization. That reader’s context comes from a place of having experienced the times of the African colonization. The British reader of 1910 views the passage with a greater experience of colonization than I do, so Conrad’s message could’ve had a more applicable, straightforward effect to them. They could see the above passage as expressing the evil of colonization, but my context of the story is different. Although I can see the point of the Imperialism stuff, I can’t exactly apply it so easily to my situation.
Since I have been a bit of an outcast throughout life, I naturally relate the passage to modern society. I look all around and see Conrad’s “victorious corruption” in the hearts of so many, not only in the politicians and bigwigs, but also the people I see around me every day. I feel like the lack of desire to understand another permeates society. Through reading the story, I see myself and others that have been discounted for this or that. I see people attempting to “colonize” the differences of others.
I would say that it is extremely difficult to explain the exact context through which anyone views the world. My current perception has been molded by not only every single experience of my lifetime, but also by some amount of inherited personality. It’s hard to say, “Those people saw it that way, and people here and now see it this way.”
Although I agree with you on the fact that Conrad is trying to convey the inherent "darkness" within every man, I believe firmly that more often than not, humans are innately good. I think maybe we mistake misunderstanding for "victorious corruption". Most humans have good intentions, just bad execution.
ReplyDeleteHumans are driven by one thing, self interest. It is what makes us all dark inside. Every action has at least a small bit of selfishness at it's core, no matter how noble the deed. One can always look back to the classic example of children. A child must be taught to share, tell the truth, etc., but no child needs to be taught selfishness or dishonesty... its in our very nature.
ReplyDeleteWhen there's dark, there must be light. Though the humans you have met may have had a more vicious pretense doesn't mean all of them do. Darkness isn't what drives people, it's ultimately what they see as good.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of equality regardless of race and gender and wealth can only stretch so far. People are going to find some way to judge and ostracize others, because they feel superior and more entitled to the world around them. And then, they will use those people that they feel are inferior to help them gain money or power.
ReplyDeleteSays Derek Zoolander, "Do you understand that the world does not revolve around you and your do whatever it takes, ruin as many people's lives, so long as you can make a name for yourself as an investigatory journalist, no matter how many friends you lose or people you leave dead and bloodied along the way, just so long so you can make a name for yourself as an investigatory journalist, no matter how many friends you lose or people you leave dead and bloodied and dying along the way? "
Also, I thought that your modern reference made a lot of sense. It's a lot easier to connect his message with the world around us now rather then try and completely understand the views and such of 1910.
I believe humans are all capable of of good as well as bad. It is in our nature to be selfish and crave superiority. This is how we survived so well on earth. It really is survival of the fittest and many of our traits which we consider to be less than desirable are traits which helped us survive in the past.
ReplyDeleteThrough this I did not exactly mean that people are inherently evil.
ReplyDeleteLike some of you said, it's more about the selfishness of human nature. Lack of empathy and the desire to understand another person was more the point i was trying to get at. And how this not only applies to colonization, but can be seen in everyday life.