The Light and Dark Forces in Joseph Conrads Heart of...

The Light and Dark Forces in Heart of Darkness Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, explores something truer and more fundamental than a mere personal narrative. It is a night journey into the unconscious and a confrontation within the self. Certain circumstances of Marlows voyage, when looked at in these terms, have new importance. Marlow insists on the dreamlike quality of his narrative. It seems to me I am trying to tell you a dream - making a vain attempt, because no relation of a dream can convey the dream - sensation. Even before leaving Brussels, Marlow felt as though he was about to set off for center of the earth, not the center of a continent. The introspective voyager leaves his familiar rational world, is cut†¦show more content†¦Marlow is the source of our story, but he is also a character within the story we read. Marlow has always followed the sea, as the novel puts it. His voyage up the Congo river, however, is his first experience in freshwater travel. Conrad uses Marlow as a narrator in order to enter t he story himself and tell it from his own philosophical mind. When Marlow arrives at the station, he is shocked and disgusted by the sight of wasted human life and ruined supplies. The managers senseless cruelty and foolishness overwhelm him with anger and disgust. He longs to see Kurtz, a fabulously successful ivory agent who is hated by the company manager. More and more, Marlow turns away from the white people (because of their ruthless brutality) and to the dark jungle (a symbol of reality and truth). He begins to identify more and more with Kurtz- long before he even sees him or talks to him. Kurtz, like Marlow, originally came to the Congo with noble intentions. He thought that each ivory station should stand like a beacon light, offering a better way of life to the natives. Kurtzs mother was half-English and his father was half-French. He was educated in England and speaks English. The culture and civilization of Europe have contributed to the making of Kurtz: he is an orator, writer, poet, musician, artist, politician, ivory procurer, and chief agent of the ivory companys Inner Station at Stanley Falls. In short, he is a universal genius. However, heShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Joseph Conrad s Heart Of Darkness1164 Words   |  5 PagesAs Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness eludes to the inverse interpretation of colors as a motif, Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now not only mimics but also portrays through the Vietnam War, the contrasting misguided crusades of enlightenment that the supreme race forces upon savages. The reversed meanings amongst the col ors and entangled description in Heart of Darkness shows how backwards civilization is through the need to enlighten or civilize the natives is flamboyantly flaunted in both theRead MoreHeart of Darkness: Cruelty Essay1118 Words   |  5 PagesHeart of Darkness: Cruelty David Yu In Joseph Conrads book Heart of Darkness the Europeans are cut off from civilization, overtaken by greed, exploitation, and material interests from his own kind. Conrad develops themes of personal power, individual responsibility, and social justice. His book has all the trappings of the conventional adventure tale - mystery, exotic setting, escape, suspense, unexpected attack. The book is a record of things seen and done by Conrad while in the BelgianRead More The Role of Kurtz’s Intended in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness1580 Words   |  7 PagesThe Role of Kurtz’s Intended in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness Very often in literature minor characters appear for only a short time in the story but carry a very heavy significance in the overall meaning of the book. Kurtz’s Intended, in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, is this kind of character. The unnamed woman only appears for a brief period at the end of the novel, but Conrad includes her for three very crucial reasons. He has Kurtz’s fiancà ©e appear to provide a justification forRead MoreComparing Shakespeares Othello with Conrads Heart of Darkness738 Words   |  3 PagesComparing Shakespeare’s Othello with Conrad’s Heart of Darkness It is often that when we read great works of literature we come across similar themes. Authors use powerful ideas that they believe will move their readers and relate to them so they become engaged in the words written. William Shakespeare and Joseph Conrad were amazing writers of their times and even though their works were written almost 300 years apart, both, Othello and Heart of Darkness, have coinciding themes. The major themeRead MoreHeart of Darkness1699 Words   |  7 PagesThe immortality and blindness to a dark continent Joseph Conrad’s s novel â€Å"Heart of Darkness† portrays an image of Africa that is dark and inhuman. Not only does he describe the actual, physical continent of Africa as â€Å"so hopeless and so dark, so impenetrable to human thought, so pitiless to human weakness†, (Conrad 2180) as though the continent could neither breed nor support any true human life. Conrad lived through a time when European colonies were scattered all over the world. This phenomenonRead MoreJoseph Conrad s Heart Of Darkness1488 Words   |  6 PagesJoseph Conrad’s s novel Heart of Darkness portrays an image of Africa that is dark and inhuman. Not only does he describe the actual, physical continent of Africa as â€Å"so hopeless and so dark, so impenetrable to human thought, so pitiless to human weakness†, (Conrad 154) as though the continent could neither breed nor support any true human life. Conrad lived through a time when European colonies were scattered all over the world. This phenomenon and the doctrine of colonialism bought into at hisRead MoreAnalysis Of Joseph Conrad s Heart Of Darkness1199 Words   |  5 PagesHeart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad depicts the events, locations, and ideas that Marlow encounters in terms of Light and Darkness. As Marlow starts his journey from the city of civilization and enlightenment which creates an atmosphere of light, but his viewpoint changes as on his journey he encounters the African jungles that lead to immense darkness. In Fitzgerald’s May Day, in and out is symbolic of Gordon’s situation. Gordon is out of luck and seeks help, is in a hope that his friend Philip DeanRead More Apocalypse Now vs Heart of Darkness Essay1120 Words   |  5 Pagesthe impact of its inspiration, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. While the basic elements of imperialism and human nature remain intact, the characters of the film bare little resemblance to their literary counterparts. The film serves as a re-interpretation of Conrad’s novella, updated from 19th-century British imperialism in the Congo to a critique of 20th-century U.S. imperialism in Southeast Asia. Coppola’s changes in setting and plot structure, however, force the film to sacrifice the characterRead MoreEssay about Heart of Darkness1745 Words   |  7 Pagesin depth review of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, a classical novella that illustrates without bias the motives behind human intentions and the extremes individuals can go to achieve wealth and profits at the expense of others with the aim of shedding insight into the rise of European imperialism, the imperial history, its politics and evil activities in the colonized African tribes along the river Congo during the eighteenth and nineteenth century. The Heart of Darkness is an exceptionallyRead More The Darkness of Colonialism and Imperialism in Heart of Darkness1235 Words   |  5 PagesThe Light and Dark of Colonialism in Heart of Darkness      Ã‚  Ã‚   In the opening of his novel, Heart of Darkness, Conrad, through Marlow, establishes his thoughts on colonialism. He says that conquerors only use brute force, nothing to boast of because it arises, by accident, from anothers weakness. Marlow compares his subsequent tale of colonialism with that of the Roman colonization of Northern Europe and the fascination associated with such an endeavor. However, Marlow challenges this viewpoint

The Primary Immediate Causes of the French Revolution

The Primary Immediate Causes of the French Revolution. The revolution was cause by a myriad of problems. The lead up to 1789 saw a sharp reversal in the economic and social developments making a condition favorable to revolution. Contributing factors can be seen in the sever droughts and storms in 1785. The fluctuating harvests that affecting more then just food products, fabrics and textiles were also disrupted because of inconsistent harvest. The monarchy had through the nation into severe debt and in 1786 the Controller general of finances, Calonne reported to the King that radical reform was required. Interest payments sucked the government dry and the kings ministers found it impossible to raise new taxes, old taxes did not yield†¦show more content†¦In the 1780s, the debts of Louis XVIs government were immense. Interest payments sucked the government dry. At the same time, the kings ministers found it impossible to raise new taxes, and old taxes did not yield efficiently. One reason for this was the number of people who ha d fiscal privileges. Also, those who collected taxes in Old Regime France were not salaried employees, but tax-farmers who took their profit first before handing over the revenue to the treasury. Even the governments own receivers were allowed to use the funds in their care for their own purposes which usually meant lending the government its own money at interest. When Louis XVIs finance minister Calonne came to him in 1786 to tell him the till was empty, the government, with its debts and many commitments, had little room to maneuver. Yet drastic action was necessary[ ]. The government had neither money nor credit. An absolute king in theory should have the power to bring in new taxes, especially in an emergency of this sort. But in actual fact, some kind of agreement with the privileged classes was necessary if their tax burden was to be increased. Calonne proposed the calling of a pseudo-representative body named the Assembly of Notables . These Notables were to be royal nominee s, men of substance whose obedience in hisShow MoreRelatedThe French Revolution During The 19th Century Essay1481 Words   |  6 PagesDuring the beginning of history there have been major political, economic, cultural and social revolutions. The people wanted change and brought about revolt against their government. The revolution instigated the act of liberty and equality for all people and generated fair living standards and/or social classes and treatment. This prompted expansions of political forces including but not limited to the democracy and nationalism. Questioning the authority of kings, priests and nobles it providedRead More Cause of World War I Essay575 Words   |  3 Pages WWI Causes World War I, a war that started out locally in Europe between Austria-Hungary and Serbia that later ended up including thirty two different nations. 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They regulated religious sects. France of Louis was the classic model of absolutism. Louis XIV, quot; the sun king,quot; was a devoted Catholic who believed that god had estalblished kings as rulers on the earth. The French language and culture became an international style because of him. People liked what he was doing, people really liked him. He effected the western world in a good way. He made them see that absolutism could indeed be very productive. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;ConstitutionalismRead MoreA Brief Note On Kashmir And Historical Perspective1308 Words   |  6 Pagesor the other was related to a colonial power. The idea of self-determination in the modern-era is in fact the product of the concept of political sovereignty as developed after the Treaty of Westphalia. Then came the Industrial Revolution and during and after the revolution, the colonies slowly gravitated towards the idea of self-determination, as they became more aware of their rights. The American Independence Movement during the mid-1770s is considered as the first assertion of right of self-determinationRead MoreWoodrow Wilsons 14 Points1464 Words   |  6 PagesOIB REVISIONS – History Key term: 14 points It was a statement the United States President Woodrow Wilson made that the Great War was being fought for a moral cause and for post-war peace in Europe. The Europeans generally welcomed it, but his main allies such as Clemenceau, David Lloyd George or Vittorio Emmanuel Orlando were sceptical of the application of Wilsonian idealism. Wilson hadn’t entered the war with any affinity with the long festering, tribal disputes between the Allies and GermanyRead MoreThe First And Second Balkan Wars1272 Words   |  6 PagesThe 20th Century was one of the most painful centuries in human history with the First and Second Balkan Wars, World War I, Russian Revolution, Russian Civil War, Chinese Civil War, Spanish Civil War, World War II, Cold War, Korean War, Vietnam War and the Soviet-Afghan War. Perhaps the greatest conflict in the 20th century and even in all human history was the Second World War. This war was started by the Nazi party of Germany. There are many theories to the Na zi party s rise such as Hitler sRead MoreSir I And His Archbishop Of Canterbury William Laud1649 Words   |  7 PagesScottish rebellion can be viewed as sowing the seeds for civil war in England by 1642 by fracturing that delicate and fragile union of the Three Kingdoms created by James I. However, there other factors which must be considered when looking at the causes of the civil war; these include Charles I’s financial policy, his religious policy in England, the Irish problem and finally his personality itself. The Scottish rebellion had a direct impact on Charles’s reign in England as he was forced to callRead MoreEssay on The French Revolution6694 Words   |  27 PagesNapoleonic France 1804) According to Joseph Weber, foster brother of Queen Antoinette, there were three primary causes of the French revolution the disorder of the finances, the state of mind, and the war in America. The disorder in the finances acknowledged that the bankruptcy of the monarchy opened the doors to defiance of the Kings authority. The greatest single cause of the revolution was the economic crisis, which forced the King to recall the redundant Estates General which had not beenRead MoreEffects Of The Treaty Of Versailles2242 Words   |  9 PagesNovember 11, 1918, Europe would be left in utter devastation from the effects of World War I. These effects which would have unprecedented effect on the development on European nations into modern nations. However, the immediate impact of the policies and treaties created by the â€Å"Big Four† (Great Britain, Italy, France and The United States) would leave devastating irreversible consequences on the Great War’s losers. The most impor tant treaty that the allies would make would be The Treaty of Versailles

Empress Wu’s rise to power is interesting Free Essays

There is A Confucian dogma that pushes women ruling as â€Å"unnatural† (Empress Wu Zetian, 2008).   However, in China there lived one woman who rose to power. Wu Hou, also called Empress Wu Zetian, ruled China during the Tang dynasty, the only female to do so (2008). We will write a custom essay sample on Empress Wu’s rise to power is interesting or any similar topic only for you Order Now While some depict Empress Wu’s regime as autocracy, it could not be denied that she ruled China effectively, preserving the country’s diplomatic relationships with other nations (Hucker, 1975, p.143). Empress Wu’s rise to power is interesting. The Tang dynasty is described as a time when women experienced some freedom, at a time when women were not limited to being subservient (Empress Wu Zetian, 2008). It was a period where women became part of cultural and political endeavors (2008).   Wu came from a noble family and thus was taught music, how to write and read Chinese classics (2008).   Her father was one of Emperor Kao- tsu’s supporters while her mother descended from the Sui royal family (Safra, 2002, p.90). When she was 13 years old, she was sent to Emperor Tai Tsung’s court to be a servant (2008). Soon, Wu became Emperor Tai Tsung’s favorite concubine. When the emperor died, Wu was removed from the palace, as customary (Hucker, 1975,b p.142). The emperor’s son, Kau-Tsung became the emperor at age 21 (2002). However, the new emperor, as fate would have it, was also enamored with Wu, giving him sons (Empress Wu Zetian, 2008). Wu soon became the emperor’s favorite concubine and soon was hungry for power. Rumors have it that that Wu killed her own child and blamed Empress Wang (Kau- Tsung’s wife) of the crime (Walsh, 2003).   Kau-Tsung believed Wu and married her, making her the new empress (2008). Five years into their marriage, the emperor was struck with stroke and soon gave power to Empress Wu. When Emperor Kau-Tsung died, Empress Wu used her power to renounce the new emperors, her sons and by 690, Empress Wu was crowned as the Emperor of China (Walsh, 2003). She ruled China until 705 (Hucker, 1975, p.142). Empress Wu soon began her campaign to uplift the women in a relatively men-dominated environment. She ordered scholars to write biographies of prominent women (Empress Wu Zetian, 2008). She also saw to it that her mother’s clan was given high positions in the political arena (2008). The new empress favored religion and symbolism. Rituals were changed during her reign (Safra, 2002, p.90).   Names of officials were even altered, and the emperor or empress, in her case, was dubbed with the new title â€Å"Heavenly Emperor† (p.90).   Empress Wu manipulated the government to follow her, employing informers and agents (p. 90). She made Buddhism as the preferred state religion (Empress Wu Zetian, 2008). Empress Wu was able to engineer the Buddhist scripture into building a Ming T’ang or â€Å"Hall of Light†, a shrine to Heaven as depicted in the Classics (p. 90). She was even able to convince every prefecture to create a temple which alludes to Wu being an incarnation of Buddha (p.90). The empress’ given surname ‘Wu’ was also exploited. Everyone who had the same surname as the empress was exempted from paying taxes (p.90). In 690, Empress Wu changed the dynasty from T’ang to Chou (Safra, 2002,p. 90). She had become China’s female ruler. During Empress Wu’s reign, China was in the midst of foreign battles.   Despite being depicted as a dictator, Empress Wu was instrumental in China’s diplomatic relationships. Together with Kao-Tsung, Wu mediated in the Korean Civil War (Hucker, 1975,p.143). At that time, Koreans were able to dominate in the Korean state of Silla, they acknowledged Wu’s reign (p.143). When Empress Wu was 80 years old, her power had started to diminish. She was finally abdicated and the T’ang dynasty was restored (Safra, 2002,p. 91). Empress Wu is truly an interesting leader. For one, she is female. At a time when males where dominating the political arena, she rose to power. It is remarkable especially since Asian culture tends to be patriarchal and for a female to rule and succeed, that is exceptional. True, Empress Wu’s reign was plagued with intrigues and scandals.   She was a dictator, a usurper and while this is not new to some leaders, it is still rather surprising to find a woman who is such. That is not to say that only men can be dictators. Women can also be dictators but sometimes they simply do it subtly. Empress Wu was shrewd and she let the world knew it.   It is even shocking to discover that she may have murdered her own child just to fulfil her desire to become empress. Although this was never confirmed, the thought of parent harming his/her child is disturbing. It is something that people read in newspapers or see in the television now but to think that it happened way before it has become a norm, to say the least, it truly startling. Stories of leaders conning people to get what they want is normal, albeit wrong. This just goes to show that even during those times; power and greed were already present and destroying individuals. On a positive note, Empress Wu was one who paved the way for women empowerment. She used her position to uplift the status of women in her country.   It is interesting to know during a time when women were thought to be subservient; there rose a woman who wanted to change the norm. Leaders, regardless of gender, can learn something from Empress Wu- good traits and bad ones. References Empress Wu Zetian (2008). Retrieved 17 February 2008 Hucker, C. (1975). China’s Imperial Past. An Introduction to Chinese History And Culture. California: Stanford University Press. Safra, J. (Ed.). (2002). China. The New Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol.16, pp.90-91. Walsh, J. (2002). The Empress Wu Hou- China’s Only Female Ruler, Retrieved 17 February 2008, from http://www.suite101.com    How to cite Empress Wu’s rise to power is interesting, Essay examples

Womens Expectations of Reform free essay sample

In the 19th century it was expected for women and children to work as man. The nation’s crises constrained industrial wages and produced high levels of unemployment. Women and child factory worker chose to work 10 hours a day. The outcome was the Knights of Labor where practically anybody could work. Expectations: In 19th century, women and children expected a high percentage of the work force in some industries and receive but a fraction of the wages a man could earn. The American Federation of Labor (1885) objectives were to increase wages, reduce hours, and improve working conditions. By the early 20th century, new revenue laws were enacted by taxing inheritances, incomes, and the property or earnings of corporations. Also, Wilson said (1913) â€Å"we must abolish everything that bears any semblance of privilege†. Constraints: Further eroding industrial wages produced high levels of unemployment. Before and after founding of the AFL, American labor history was violent. We will write a custom essay sample on Womens Expectations of Reform or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It was clear to many people that most of the problems reformers were concerned about could be solved only if dealt with on a national scale. The act retained many protective features (1913). Choices: Technological improvements, added so much to the nation’s productivity, continually reduced the demand for skilled labor. Before 1874, women and child factory workers performed 10 hours a day. Federal troops had to be sent to several locations before the Great Rail Strike of 1877 was ended. Roosevelt declared his determination to give all the American people a â€Å"Square Deal†. He captured the imagination of the ordinary individuals; approved progressive measures that cut across party lines. â€Å"Control†, said Wilson, â€Å"must be public, not private, must be vested in the government itself, so that the banks may be the instruments, not the masters, of business and of individual enterprise and initiative†. Outcome: Industrial workers still worked 10-hour day, yet earned less than the minimum deemed necessary for a decent life. Knight of Labor (1869) was open to all workers, including African Americans, women, and farmers. Wobblies gained many adherents after they won a difficult strike battle in the textile mills of Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1912. The abounding prosperity of the century led people to feel satisfied with the party in office. Roosevelt won an easy victory in 1904 presidential election. The Federal Reserve Act of December 23, 1913, was Wilson’s most enduring legislative accomplishment. Conservatives had favored establishment of one powerful central bank. Define the following 10 items: Knights of Labor (1869) – was Noble Order’s major effort to organize workers’ groups on a nationwide basis. AFL American Federation of Labor (in late of 19th century) Haymarket Riot (1886) – a bomb was thrown at police about to break up an anarchist rally in support of an ongoing strike at the McCormick Harvest Company in Chicago. Progressivism – Urban middle class reform movement that crossed party lines. Pure Food and Drugs Act (1906) – prohibited the use of any â€Å"deleterious drug, chemical, or preservative† in prepared medicines and food. Conservationism – manage the development of the public domain. Comstock Law – an act for the Suppression of Trade in, and Circulation of, Obscene Literature and Articles of Immoral Use. NAWSA (1890) – National American Women Suffrage John Muir – (1838-1914) was Americas most famous and influential naturalist and conservationist, and founder of the Sierra Club. Federal Reserve Act December 23, 1913 – was Wilson’s most enduring legislative accomplishment. 4 Relevant Multiple Choice Questions 1. What were the objectives of the American Federation of Labor? a. To increase wages, reduce hours, and improve working conditions. b. To decrease wages, increase hours, and weaken working conditions. c. To abuse people by working more than they already did. d. NON ALL ABOVE 2. Define Haymarket Riot: a. Manage the development of the public domain. b. Noble Order’s major effort to organize workers’ groups on a nationwide basis. c. A bomb was thrown at police about to break up an anarchist rally in support of an ongoing strike at the McCormick Harvest Company in Chicago. d. An act for the Suppression of Trade in, and Circulation of, Obscene Literature and Articles of Immoral Use. 3. Who captured the imagination of the ordinary individuals; approved progressive measures that cut across party lines? a. T. Roosevelt b. Woodrow Wilson c. John Muir d. President McKinley 4. Federal troops had to be sent to several locations before the Great Rail Strike of 1877 was ended, what is this? a. An expectation b. A constraint c. A choice d. An outcome