Conrad’s novel, Heart of Darkness, relies on the historical period of imperialism in order to describe its protagonist, Charlie Marlow, and his struggle. Marlow’s catharsis in the novel, as he goes to the Congo, rests on how he visualizes the effects of imperialism. This paper will analyze Marlow’s “adjust,” as triggered by his exposure to the imperialistic nature of the historical period in which he lived.
Marlow is asked by “the corporation”, the organization for whom he works, to travel to the Congo river and report back to them about Mr. Kurtz, a best notch officer of theirs. When he sets sail, he does not know what to count on. When his journey is completed, this little “trip” will have changed Marlow forever!